FESTIVE THANKSGIVING MEALS

67 loves Thanksgiving.  

It's a special day in America, set aside for families and friends to remember and be grateful for  all the good things in the world generally and the wonderful personal accomplishments, pleasures and lessons of the previous year.

Traditionally, turkey and all the trimmings are served and you can find recipes here:  How to...Turkey, How to...Best Ever Gravy; How to...Best Ever Roasties: Home-made Cranberry Sauce, Pull-Apart Sour Cream Fan Rolls & Pineapple pudding with Black Sugar Glaze 

The Alternative Thanksgiving meals posted run-the-range from special occasion/ luxury to budget-friendly and include poultry, pork, beef, fish & vegetarian/vegan.

The cost of living crisis means people may be a little more restricted in their choices.   This list from the archives contains several exceptional meals that are cheaper but equally festive, so take a good look.   

PLEASE REMEMBER, MOST PRICES HAVE RISEN SINCE THEY RECIPES WERE FIRST POSTED...check the date of the post on the right hand side of the page for an idea of how to calculate current prices

Whatever you choose, buy the best you can afford.  If organic is out of the question, some higher welfare meats are a good third cheaper than organic.  Even common-all-garden supermarket meat is good value, and presented in a non-traditional way, can provide an attractive crowd-pleaser.  This year, independent butchers may be offering turkey joints as well as whole and half turkeys.

 

POULTRY

The usual alternative to the Big Bird is Chicken but guinea fowl and capon also make a tasty meal.   Corn-fed chooks are a great alternative to organic and cost about a third less.  Selfridges usually sell leg and wing joints of turkey;  some supermarkets and independent butchers may join in this year.

Easy Christmas Dinner - is a prep-ahead chicken; a one-stop indulgence that's perfect for beginners as it virtually cooks itself.  Two rubs are available, one rich with paprika and orange, the other with orange, 5-spice  and hoisin.  Either steeps the bird with rich flavour.

Lightly spiced roast chicken; baked white & sweet potatoes; mixed veg  
 Extras: Pineapple pudding with Black Sugar Glaze and Pull-Apart Sour Cream Fan Rolls 

Also :       

Special Occasion Chicken: unbelievable flavour & crispiness

 

Armagnac Partridges with Apple: boozy, fruity and fanciable

       

Peking Duck for Pancakes: lower-fat, guilt-free, easy, wallet-friendly 

 

Duck & Pineapple Exotic Salad: tantalisingly gorgeous, made easier with a take-away duck 

 

Mongolian Hotpot: absolutely not for heavy drinkers 

Roast Oriental Chicken: wallet-friendly, exotic, for the adventurous 

Chilli Con Turkey: low-cholesterol, low-salt, frugal 

BEEF

Brisket, Melt-in-the-Mouth with rich tomato sauce: budget friendly, low-fat, slow cooker

Beef & Black Beer Stew : one of 67goingon50's signature dishes; easy-peasy Skinnier indulgence, frugal 

 

Korean-style Spicy Seared Beef: spicy, sweet & tender; works with frugal & expensive cuts of beef

Peruvian marinaded Beef Steak: knock-out wallet-friendly guys' favourite 

Luxury Steak, Potato & Onion Pie: wholly indulgent guys' favourite, tender beef with potatoes in plenty of gravy, with alcohol

LAMB

Irish Stew: ambrosial peasant food, frugal 

Luscious Lamb & Red Wine Stew: slow cooker, wallet friendly

Lamb Shoulder with Savoury Gravy & Mint Sauce: gorgeous lower-fat roast for small households

Lamb Mongolian Style: fabulously low-fat; 2-ways; Slow Cooker  

PORK

       Exquisite Barbecued Pork: nearly fat free;  lower-sugar & salt, easy-peasy

 

Spiced Spare Ribs: almost no sugar, low-fat

Asian Pork Bao: low-sugar, salt & fat; budget-friendly; Chicken/vegetarian options

FISH

Oriental Salmon: sugar-free, sassily simple, prepare-ahead, healthy; moist, succulent and subtly flavoured

Salmon Nicoise Salad, as beautiful as it is tasty

Scallop & White Bean Potage: unusual but gorgeous pairing, wallet-friendly, soothes after over-indulgence 

 

Sweet Chilli & Ginger Salmon: lower sugar, Healthy, budget-friendly

VEGETARIAN/VEGAN

Avocado Pilaff (Warm): sublime vegan main, low salt/cholesterol

 

Can't Believe it's Not Beef Lasagne: says it all

Coulibiac Pie, Vegetarian: one of the most popular dishes ever, make ahead

Moussaka, Marvellously Meatless: sensational low-fat casserole; takes a bit of time but much is prepped ahead.  And it's so worth it!

Sensational Spinach Roulade: special occasion; lower-fat pillowy green roulade layered with cream cheese and taramasalata; vegan opt.

 Vegan Wholemeal Pasta with Mushrooms, Peas & Chive Oil: Option for no-common-wheat: delicious & multi-textured with layers of gorgeous flavour; nutty & surprisingly filling. 

Spiced Lentil & Vegetable Potage: Triple Duty, for when your tummy needs a rest from all the rich festive flavours 

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