What I'm Cooking for Thanksgiving

With my culinary training rooted in Japanese homestyle cuisine, designing menus through the lens of Washoku is my second nature. So when Thanksgiving rolls around, you won’t find overly sweet, coma-inducing, or under-seasoned dishes at my table. Instead, I focus on incorporating a full spectrum of tastes, colors, and a balance of fresh and cooked elements for maximum delight and digestibility.

This year, I went deep exploring how I could apply the principles of Washoku while making the best use of local ingredients and recipes indigenous to the Americas, and the result is this… Oaxacan-Inspired Thanksgiving menu.

Oaxacan-Inspired Thanksgiving Menu

  • Smoked Turkey Breast with Pipián Verde Mole

  • Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Pecan Salsa Macha & Lime Yogurt Sauce

  • Chorizo & Mushroom Stuffing with Roselle Salsa

  • Oaxacan Salad with Potatoes, Wax Beans, Carrot, Cauliflower, Greens & Pickled Jalapeño Vinaigrette

  • Rice with Lentils, Blistered Tomatoes, Green Onion & Pepitas

  • Persimmon Horchata

  • Pumpkin Flan

Smoked Turkey Breast with Pipián Verde Mole: Tender smoked turkey paired with a this creamy, nutty, and perfectly spiced mole is a delicious way to honor the culinary genius of America's ancestors this holiday—or any time of the year! >>> GET THE RECIPE! <<<

Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Pecan Salsa Macha & Lime Yogurt Sauce: This isn’t just a side dish—it’s a whole experience! We’re talking 5 colors, 5 tastes, and a mix techniques that give way to a symphony of umami, nutty & zesty notes to complement the natural complex sweetness of the sweet potato. >>> GET THE RECIPE! <<<

Chorizo & Mushroom Stuffing with Roselle Salsa

Oaxacan Salad with Potatoes, Wax Beans, Carrot, Cauliflower, Greens & Pickled Jalapeño Vinaigrette: This salad is traditionally served at parties and fiestas because it keeps well without refrigeration. It will keep for at least a week in the refrigerator. This recipe has been adapted from The Food and Life of Oaxaca by Zarela Martinez. >>> GET THE RECIPE! <<<

Rice with Lentils, Blistered Tomatoes, Green Onion & Pepitas

Pumpkin Flan: Easy to make, impressively elegant, and naturally gluten-free, this cross between flan casero and pumpkin pie is sure to become your go-to holiday dessert! >>> GET THE RECIPE! <<<

A SPECIAL THANKS TO ERIN COLLIGAN INTERIORS

A knock-out meal isn’t complete without a fabulous tablescape! The vision for this Oaxacan-Inspired Thanksgiving tablescape came to life thanks to a collaboration with my dear friend Erin, of Erin Colligan Interiors. From styling to decor-sourcing, Erin thought of every last detail—and she made the process feel so fun and effortless!

If you’re looking to spruce up your home or need event design inspiration for the holidays, contact her here.

Leanne ValentiRecipesComment