Throw away your notes and take the pressure off—here's how to do Thanksgiving without a recipe.
If you're anything like us, you spend the month leading up to Thanksgiving in research-mode: How will I make this Thanksgiving better than the last? Are the mashed potatoes of my dreams on page 10 of my Google search results? What is the secret to my aunt's secret (and legendary) stuffing recipe?
It's time to stop the madness and call off the dogs. Thanksgiving doesn't have to be so hard; it doesn't have to feel this complicated. In fact, most of the dishes you're making this week can be prepared without a recipe at all. So take the pressure off and trust your instincts—we're revisiting these 10 spectacularly easy ways to throw together your favorite holiday's fare, no notes required. (You can even go rogue with our favorite technique for the bird, by adding your own spices and herbs to the dry brine.)
This article orginally appeared on November 23, 2015. We're re-running it in honor on Thanksgiving (which is in about 3 weeks!).
Tell us: Which Thanksgiving dishes will you be winging this year?
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Written by: Julie Myers
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5 Comments
Mostarda instead of cranberry sauce (I'll make two kinds): https://food52.com/blog/8577-how-to-make-mostarda-without-a-recipe
Maybe risotto https://food52.com/blog/6045-how-to-make-any-risotto-in-5-steps (Did you know you can make risotto ahead, all but the last cup of broth, and even pop some buttered bread cubes on top with a fistful of medium grated parmesan to make a quick gratin . . . okay, maybe it's not risotto any more, but my family raves . . . .)
or, quite possibly this year I'll be making its cousin,
Biryani https://food52.com/blog/14242-how-to-make-biryani-without-a-recipe
I'm sure there are others . . . . ;o)
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