Monday, November 16, 2009

Poll of the Week - 11.16.2009

Is anyone else having a hard time believing that Thanksgiving is next week? It seems like time is just flying by, but, as with any holiday centered around food, you simply can’t start planning the holiday menu early enough. Last week’s Dining section of The New York Times covered the oldest of Thanksgiving questions: is Thanksgiving all about the bird, or do people really only care about the sides?

Little Scarlet loves quality and variety above all else, making it hard to ignore the dazzling array of side dishes that Thanksgiving brings. A Thanksgiving spread certainly needs a turkey, but it would a hollow sort of affair without stuffing, two kinds of potatoes (mashed regular & sweet!), and a rotating assembly of roasted vegetables. This week’s “Poll of the Week” wants to jump start your menu planning - what is your favorite Thanksgiving side dish?

(some might argue that gravy & cranberry sauce are not really true side dishes, but I challenge any of you to enjoy your turkey without them!)


Of course, there are plenty more Thanksgiving traditions (what would we do without pies?), so write in and tell Little Scarlet about your favorite part of Thanksgiving!



**update** - Sam Sifton (Frank Bruni’s replacement over at The New York Times) says he thinks that “the two most important factors in any credible Thanksgiving feast are the cranberry sauce and the gravy”. Stuffing may have won this week’s poll in a landslide, but gravy and cranberry sauce are not to be forgotten!

10 comments:

  1. I am there with you! I cannnot believe it is Thanksgiving next week but I guess we still need to thank the Lord for it coming by so soon you know?

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  2. STUFFING!!!!!
    What would thanksgiving be without stuffing?!?!?
    That and some delicious gravy to drown over it... mmmmmmmmmm, tasty! My roommates and I eat only that around the holidays, that and its a great way to feel festive and at a resonable low-price for us "finding-change-under-the-futon" college students!!

    Mousie

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  3. I'm definitely in the majority there with the stuffing being my favorite! By the way, how do you insert all these great polls? Thanks! :)

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  4. I agree with everyone this time! Stuffing is the one thing I crave when it comes to Thanksgiving. Hadn't had it for years and then my friend made me some stuffing from an honest to god chicken cavity filled with mushrooms, lavendar, celery, EVERYTHING I WAS MISSING.
    Sniff... now I want it again.
    (FYI My family is not into stuffing)

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  5. I must say, *our* style of mashed sweet potatoes comes with a sugar-glazed pecan crust that is the ultimate in deliciousness. But did pumpkin pie honestly not make the list? I mean, what better side dish than the dish that makes you forgo all others to save room for it?

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  6. How about Spinach and Artichoke Oyster Casserole, or even Mirliton and Shrimp Casserole, or Yellow Squash with Sausage and Shrimp Casserole. Actually love all of these and all those in the pool too.

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  7. I am actually not a big turkey fan, but I love all the side dishes. My favorite is stuffing with mashed potatoes & gravy (yes, I mix it all together, just like when I was a little kid!).

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  8. I'm not ready either! Where did the time go?

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  9. Roasted Brussel Sprouts with pancetta and onions. Yum. Maybe some pecans thrown in for good measure.

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  10. Stuffing is the best!!!!! Why have Thanksgiving dinner if you can't have the stuffing.

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