thanksgiving

Over here at Purple Cowboy, we are thankful for the grapes that make the wine, the horses that carry cowboys near and far, and our health, home, and families. In celebration of the first American holiday, we’ve assembled a range of Thanksgiving recipes that are sure to please, and a few simple, homey decorating ideas for your celebration.

First, the Grub

There’s no place like home for the holidays, and that starts with a good, hearty meal. We’ve put together some of the web’s best recipes for turkey plus our favorite sides. And of course Purple Cowboy Tenacious Red or Trail Boss Cabernet partner up nicely with anything you see here.

5 Ways to Do Turkey

The big day calls for a big bird! Take a look at these turkey-cooking tips plus an overview of cooking methods that put the focus on moist and tasty results.

• Brine It! The Pioneer Woman swears by brining for the most reliably juicy meat. If you’re considering this method, it works best with a fresh turkey (frozen birds have a saline solution added and they can end up extra salty). Also check out Saveur’s Brined and Roasted Turkey and Alton Brown’s Brined Roast Turkey.

• Southwestern Flavors: Get creative with the rub and bring your favorite flavors together for a bit of kick. Spices like cumin, smoked paprika, and coriander are ones to consider. Don’t forget the heat, from your chile of choice. There is no shortage of recipes to draw from if the flavors of the Southwest inspire you.

  • Chile-Rubbed Turkey with Beet Stuffing and Gravy, Saveur

  • Guajillo-Tamarind Turkey, Sunset

  • Southwestern Turkey with Garlic-Ancho Chili Paste and Gravy, Bon Appetit

  • Southwestern Rubbed Turkey, EatingWell

  • Turkey with Mexican Spiced Ground Pork Stuffing, Saveur

• On the Grill: Why not bring the cooking outdoors? BBQing the turkey gives your kitchen a rest, and offers an easy way to work with individual turkey parts, or a spatchcocked bird if that is a better option for your family. For more on grilling turkey take a look at this overview at About.com, or Sara Moulton’s recipe on Food Network.

• Smokin’ Good! If you take your BBQ seriously, why not smoke the bird, another way to guarantee seriously tender meat. You can use a regular grill, or a smoker. The guys over at Amazing Ribs and Smoker-Cooking have a lot to say on the subject. Esquire also offers up a tip or two, while Alton Brown has a brined/smoked combo.

• In the Fryer: Deep frying the bird seals in juices and gives you moist and tender meat, crispy skin, and a lot of taste! Just be sure to keep it safe: only fry outside, away from anything flammable. This method works best with a small to medium sized turkey. The National Turkey Federation has a step-by-step tutorial that will get you frying your way to dinner in no time. If you are itching to try this method take a look at the recipes on Food Network and About.com as well.

Super Sides

Seems like every family’s got at least one or two favorite turkey-day recipes. But if you’re looking for a new take on an old favorite, there are literally thousands to sift through. Purple Cowboy has narrowed it down to just a handful that we can’t wait to serve up.

• Buttermilk Cornbread Stuffing with Sausage: Buttermilk in the cornbread makes this, from the Beekman Boys, one of Country Living’s all-time best Thanksgiving recipes.

• Sweet Potatoes with Praline Streusel: Here’s a rich and delicious sweet potato side from Country Living, topped with an irresistible pecan topping. Baked until it’s bubbly and crisp on top, this can be prepared ahead and reheated.

• Green Bean Casserole is a classic, and this from-scratch version from Ree Drummond (Pioneer Woman) can’t be beat. She uses fresh green beans (but of course!) and a homemade cream sauce to bring all the ingredients together.

• Chipotle-Corn Mashed Potatoes: Creamy with a touch of sweet and a touch of spicy, we love this take on traditional mashed potatoes.

• Gratitude Rolls: What is the message of the day, if not to give thanks? Write out your own messages of gratitude on parchment paper, and roll ‘em up and bake with either store-bought crescent rolls, or the recipe shown here.

Spruce Up the House!

The focus is on the food for a reason, but we picked out a few easy and fun decorating ideas that work for all of fall.

• Autumn Leaves Centerpiece: Fill an assortment of clear glass containers with locally found leaves, pine cones, or acorns.  You can also use small apples, pumpkins, or other squash. You can even get in the mood for the big game by adding small football charms to the mix. Try Mason jars, vases, or pitchers for the right look to go with your table.

• Family Photo Centerpiece: Print out family photos from Thanksgivings gone by, support them with floral card holders, and add to your own arrangements of seasonal flowers. Instructions are available in this tutorial.

• Corn and Leaf Wreath: Add silk leaves or flowers in fall colors, plus small ears of dried corn to a plain twig wreath. Use this on the table as part of a centerpiece, or as a wall or door decoration. Learn how to do it here.

The Wine Sisterhood’s collection of wine bottle crafts offers more great ideas for seasonal decorating.

We hope you enjoy our Thanksgiving recipe and decorating round up. From all of us here at Purple Cowboy, we’re wishing you a holiday full of all the things to be thankful for: home, health, family and friends.