Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and you may find yourself scrambling for the perfect recipe to dazzle friends or family who are gathering at your house. While it’s tempting to find a new recipe online and give it a shot in an attempt to impress, Chef Kevin Belton recommends staying in your lane. “Keep it simple! Keep it as easy as you can. We all have something that we know we cook well. That's the dish to go with. Thanksgiving isn't the time to try a new recipe out," Chef Belton says.
If you're not a natural chef and the kitchen isn't really your place to shine, Chef Kev urges you not to be a hero and leave it to the professionals. "We have some wonderful family run grocery stores. If you're a bad cook, just order ahead, get one of their pre-prepped meals and take it home to heat it up. You want to keep it simple. Don't be learning to cook on Thanksgiving Day!" The chef wisely advises.
However, if you do know your way around the kitchen and you're looking for something to give your Thanksgiving meal a little zest, Chef Belton has you covered there as well. "One thing that I always have to make for my cousins is a cornbread dressing that our grandmother used to make. I make a sweetened cornbread, season down the trinitiy and sort of over-season that because by the time I put those two together and moisten it with oysters or chicken stock, it's great," Belton says. "I also make a version where I sautee breakfast sausage and add the cornbread and trinity to that and it just WORKS," Belton adds.
If you're getting ready for visitors to your home for Thanksgiving, the chef advises you cut your trinity and other ingredients ahead of time so you can focus on portioning and cooking when the big day comes. "Do as much as you can ahead of time, measure out everything you need and put it in containers so you can focus on the task at hand," Chef Belton suggests. One thing is for certain: the occasion is all about getting together with loved ones to enjoy their company above all else. As the chef eloquently puts it, "It's not about what's on the table, it's about who's at the table." Have a plan, prep ahead of time, and don't overcomplicate it for yourself. If all else fails, rely on a local restaurant or grocery store to dazzle your guests. It'll keep you and your loved ones thankful this season.