Elegant Roasted Chicken for a Happy Thanksgiving Feast
A Heartwarming Thanksgiving Gathering: A Delightful Home Party Menu
Every year, on the fourth Thursday of November, the United States celebrates Happy Thanksgiving, a time of gratitude and abundance. This year, instead of a trip to Thailand with your daughter, you chose to celebrate Thanksgiving with just the two of you. Rather than the traditional turkey, you opted for a delicious roasted chicken as the centerpiece for a cozy Thanksgiving spread. You shared a moment of reflection and gratitude with your husband over this simple yet heartwarming meal. This spread embodies the wisdom of cherishing life’s blessings, even amidst busy days.
A Festive Thanksgiving Spread
- Perfectly Roasted Chicken
- Refreshing Shrimp Salad
- Sweet and Spicy Gochujang Sauce
- Crisp Pickled Cucumbers
- Savory Beef Rolls with Scallions
- Creamy Corn with Butter and Mayonnaise
- Fresh Lemon
- Aromatic Red Wine
- Homemade Cranberry Sauce
- Smooth Sweet Potato Soup
- Tender Squid Rolls with Bell Peppers and Scallions
Homemade Cranberry Sauce
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 orange (juiced or finely chopped)
- 1/4 cup sugar (or to taste)
Creamy Sweet Potato Soup
- 2 medium sweet potatoes
- 2 cups water
- 1.5 cups milk
- Pinch of cinnamon powder
Flavorful Beef Rolls with Scallions
- 200g thinly sliced beef (for bulgogi or shabu-shabu)
- 10 scallions or white parts of leeks
- Your favorite soy sauce-based marinade (soy sauce, sugar, minced garlic, sesame oil, etc.)
Delicious Corn with Butter and Mayonnaise
- 1 can corn (drained)
- 2 tbsp butter (room temperature)
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tsp honey (optional)
Vibrant Squid Rolls with Bell Peppers and Scallions
- 1 whole squid (cleaned)
- 1/2 red bell pepper and 1/2 yellow bell pepper (julienned)
- 10 scallions
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 orange (juiced or finely chopped)
- 1/4 cup sugar (or to taste)
Creamy Sweet Potato Soup
- 2 medium sweet potatoes
- 2 cups water
- 1.5 cups milk
- Pinch of cinnamon powder
Flavorful Beef Rolls with Scallions
- 200g thinly sliced beef (for bulgogi or shabu-shabu)
- 10 scallions or white parts of leeks
- Your favorite soy sauce-based marinade (soy sauce, sugar, minced garlic, sesame oil, etc.)
Delicious Corn with Butter and Mayonnaise
- 1 can corn (drained)
- 2 tbsp butter (room temperature)
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tsp honey (optional)
Vibrant Squid Rolls with Bell Peppers and Scallions
- 1 whole squid (cleaned)
- 1/2 red bell pepper and 1/2 yellow bell pepper (julienned)
- 10 scallions
- 200g thinly sliced beef (for bulgogi or shabu-shabu)
- 10 scallions or white parts of leeks
- Your favorite soy sauce-based marinade (soy sauce, sugar, minced garlic, sesame oil, etc.)
Delicious Corn with Butter and Mayonnaise
- 1 can corn (drained)
- 2 tbsp butter (room temperature)
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tsp honey (optional)
Vibrant Squid Rolls with Bell Peppers and Scallions
- 1 whole squid (cleaned)
- 1/2 red bell pepper and 1/2 yellow bell pepper (julienned)
- 10 scallions
- 1 whole squid (cleaned)
- 1/2 red bell pepper and 1/2 yellow bell pepper (julienned)
- 10 scallions
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Here begins an intimate Thanksgiving feast, shared with your beloved husband.
Step 2
This year, we’ve chosen a beautifully roasted chicken instead of a turkey to grace our table. Sitting across from my husband, with this simple yet heartfelt Thanksgiving spread, we reflected on the past year and felt immense gratitude. (Tip: If roasting a turkey feels too daunting, a delicious roasted chicken is a fantastic alternative for a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration.)
Step 3
Let’s make a homemade cranberry sauce! Combine fresh cranberries with water and orange juice (or finely chopped orange) in a pot and bring to a simmer. Once the fruit is tender, stir in sugar to achieve your desired sweetness. This easy-to-make sauce offers a delightful sweet and tart flavor.
Step 4
This homemade cranberry sauce pairs wonderfully with roasted chicken or turkey, adding a burst of flavor that enhances the entire dish.
Step 5
Now, for a smooth and comforting sweet potato soup. Dice the sweet potatoes and boil them in water until very tender. Mash them thoroughly, then stir in milk and heat gently until warmed through. Finish with a sprinkle of cinnamon for a lovely aroma.
Step 6
If you use plenty of milk, it transforms into a creamy ‘sweet potato latte’ – a delightful start to your Thanksgiving morning.
Step 7
Let’s prepare savory beef rolls with scallions. Thinly slice the beef and wrap it around a few scallions or pieces of leek. Sear them in a pan, seam-side down first, and as they cook, brush them with your prepared soy sauce marinade for maximum flavor infusion.
Step 8
These simple yet elegant ‘Beef Rolls with Scallions’ are ready to impress. Their savory taste is perfect for whetting the appetite.
Step 9
Get ready for delicious corn with butter and mayonnaise! Ensure the canned corn is well-drained, then mix it with room-temperature butter and mayonnaise. Spread this mixture on a baking sheet and bake until golden brown.
Step 10
For a touch of sweetness, mix a little honey into the butter and mayonnaise before coating the corn. Give it a good ‘shake, shake, shake’ and bake for a crowd-pleasing side dish that both kids and adults will adore.
Step 11
Let’s assemble a vibrant shrimp salad. Julienne any colorful vegetables you have on hand, and prepare a thin omelet for shredding. Briefly blanch the shrimp, then cool and peel them. Arrange all the prepared ingredients attractively on a platter.
Step 12
Serve with gochujang sauce or your favorite dressing for a refreshing and multi-layered ‘Shrimp Salad’ experience.
Step 13
To prepare the squid rolls, lightly blanch the scallions. This keeps them crisp yet tender.
Step 14
Roll the cleaned squid, julienned bell peppers, and blanched scallions together. These visually appealing and delicious ‘Squid Rolls with Bell Peppers and Scallions’ are a delightful addition to the meal.
Step 15
Don’t forget to include sweet and spicy gochujang sauce and crisp pickled cucumbers. These accompaniments cut through richness and enhance the overall flavor of the main dishes.
Step 16
A refreshing glass of lemon water and a glass of aromatic red wine complete this elegant Thanksgiving spread. Enjoy your celebratory dinner filled with gratitude and abundance.
Step 17
Opting for a pre-made roasted chicken made preparing this meal significantly easier, especially while undergoing physical therapy. Simplifying the cooking process allowed for more mental ease and a deeper appreciation for the holiday. Sometimes, choosing to ‘let go’ of certain tasks is indeed a valuable life lesson.
Step 18
And so, my husband and I completed our simple yet heartwarming Thanksgiving table for two.
Step 19
A sauce that is spicy, sour, and sweet, bursting with flavor in every bite, perfectly complements any dish.
Step 20
The ‘Shrimp Salad’ boasts a fantastic harmony of flavors: the zesty sauce, tender shrimp, crisp vegetables, and savory egg crepe create a delightful ‘stick-together’ texture and taste combination.
Step 21
The ultimate corn dish! The irresistible combination of popping corn kernels with rich butter and mayonnaise makes this ‘Corn with Butter and Mayonnaise’ a true winner.
Step 22
The juicy chicken, paired with our homemade sweet and tangy cranberry sauce, is simply finger-licking good – a truly outstanding flavor!
Step 23
Dipped in spicy gochujang, the tender squid, crisp bell peppers, and sweet scallions create a party in your mouth. The ‘Squid Rolls with Bell Peppers and Scallions’ captivate with both their texture and taste.
Step 24
Although there wasn’t time to make bulgogi, rolling beef around scallions and grilling them with bulgogi marinade resulted in ‘Beef Rolls with Scallions’ that, as always, delivered a fantastic taste. It’s a reliably delicious choice, anytime!
