Thanksgiving dinner 2020
By Lena Kovadlo
@lovebuglena (43077)
Staten Island, New York
November 27, 2020 6:51pm CST
Originally, hubby wanted to have Thanksgiving dinner in our house and invite my parents and his parents. Since my parents said they won't be coming as my dad didn't want to attend any gatherings at this time, hubby decided that we will go with his parents to his uncle's house for Thanksgiving.
Everyone brought something to the gathering. It was either something they made or bought. Hubby's uncle bought two different turkeys—one regular and one smoked, and made salted salmon and Russian salad oliv'ye. A few of his cousins cooked. They made Brussels sprouts, broccoli mac-n-cheese, butternut squash soup, mashed potatoes, biscuits, a salad, and forshmak, which is minced salted herring.
Hubby decided he wanted to make something as well. He made gravy, garlicky string beans with crispy fried onions, candied sweet potatoes, and cranberry sauce from recipes he found online. I helped out, mainly with the chopping and slicing of stuff. I made another batch of cranberry sauce, using Ina Garten's recipe. It came out really good and those that tried it loved it. It was better than the cranberry sauce recipe he found online and replicated. His was a bit too sweet. Everything came out delicious and people loved what be made.
Usually there is a lot of Russian food at the Thanksgiving table, so I am glad this year the food was more traditional Thanksgiving food.
8 people like this
9 responses
@LindaOHio (156215)
• United States
28 Nov 20
I'm glad that the food was good. It's too bad that the conversation had to take a bad turn.
@lovebuglena (43077)
• Staten Island, New York
28 Nov 20
It's weird but I liked the food we made better than the rest of the stuff. And yeah, I wish there was no talk of politics or the election.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (156215)
• United States
29 Nov 20
@lovebuglena That's because you're good cooks!
1 person likes this
@cmoneyspinner (9221)
• Austin, Texas
28 Nov 20
When you say Russian food for Thanksgiving I can't imagine the dishes. What are some of them?
@lovebuglena (43077)
• Staten Island, New York
29 Nov 20
There is holodets, which is meat jelly with cuts of meat (usually chicken, beef, or pork). Inside is also sliced hard boiled egg, boiled carrot slices, and herbs like parsley or dill.
There is salted herring with onions, oliv'ye salad (potatoes, carrots, onion, sweet canned peas, dill, mayo), and shuba salad. Shuba is also referred to as dressed herring or herring under a fur coat. It's layers of boiled veggies (beets, carrots, potatoes), onions, hardboiled eggs, herring pieces, and mayo.
There is also chicken liver pate and crepes topped with red or black caviar.
@lovebuglena (43077)
• Staten Island, New York
28 Nov 20
I've never had broccoli mac-n-cheese before. Would have been better if there was a creamy cheese sauce...
@thislittlepennyearns (58140)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
28 Nov 20
The only acceptable cranberry sauce comes from a can
@lovebuglena (43077)
• Staten Island, New York
28 Nov 20
I never had cranberry sauce from a can. But there is no way that canned is better than home made.
@lovebuglena (43077)
• Staten Island, New York
28 Nov 20
It was good. Just wish there was no political talk at the table. It was very loud.
@RebeccasFarm (86754)
• United States
29 Nov 20
Glad to hear the food and your gathering was lovely Lena.
Ours was okay just myself and son only and half the day peaceful the other half listening to loud neighbors fighting.
@Ladanger (14582)
• United States
28 Nov 20
Happy late Thanksgiving! Sounds like you ate really good. Now let’s get ready for Christmas lol
@lovebuglena (43077)
• Staten Island, New York
28 Nov 20
Thank you. I liked our food better than what the others had made.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (43077)
• Staten Island, New York
28 Nov 20
Thanks. I wish the turkey was home made. Maybe it would have been better. The regular turkey was a bit dry. The smoked one was better though.
