Happy Thanksgiving from Stay Alfred

Hickory-smoked turkey, Madeira gravy, sourdough stuffing with chorizo, cranberry compote and grilled asparagus. Growing up, that was the traditional Thanksgiving meal at my house, and what I thought everyone ate on this day of giving thanks and breaking bread with your friends and family. So, imagine my surprise when as a 20-something I found myself living in Dallas, Texas and upon sitting down to a friend’s Thanksgiving dinner out comes the deep fried turkey and turkey tamales. Needless to say, my tastebuds were confused… and intrigued.

While Thanksgiving might be the quintessential U.S. holiday, depending on where you live or come from, what graces your Thanksgiving table may differ dramatically. And, since we’re in 33 cities across the nation, we thought it’d be fun to highlight a few local food faves in case you want to add some regional flair to your Thanksgiving feast while staying with us, because (as we all know) your Stay Alfred has a kitchen perfect for cooking.

Atlanta – Pecan Pie

While not a super weird thing to many of us, this beyond sweet treat is the star of the dessert course in most Georgian homes. Fun fact (and nod to one of our other Stay Alfred cities), the Pecan Pie was thought to have been invented in New Orleans by the French. Merci!

Want to try your hand at whippin’ up a pecan pie? Check out this killer recipe for Atanta’s Fox Bros.’s Chocolate Pecan Pie with Cinnamon Whipped Cream

Austin – Cornbread Stuffing

Everyone loves cornbread and everyone loves stuffing… so why shouldn’t we combine it into one awesome side dish? Bottom-line, we should!

Thanks KXAN (a local Austin TV station) for this recipe

Baltimore – Roasted Oysters

A staple ingredient in coastal Maryland cuisine for hundreds of years, your Stay Alfred Baltimore Thanksgiving trip should include a platter of roasted oysters for sure. There are so many ways to prepare them, but here’s one that includes some great local ingredients.

Big thanks to Myrecipes.com for this tasty recipe! 

Boise – Mashed Potatoes With Manchego and Olive Oil

Idaho doesn’t just do spuds right on Thanksgiving, the potato state kicks down this comfort cuisine so tastefully it’s like you’re in Boise, sitting on the couch under a warm blanket, getting a shoulder massage. We say go with the mashed spuds with manchego and olive oil. 

Here’s a tasty recipe for that, courtesy of IdahoStatesman.com.  

Boston – Hasty Pudding

This Boston dessert might be simple, but it’s downright delicious thanks to cornmeal, molasses, brown sugar and spices. Add a dollop of whipped cream or ice cream, and you’ll be saying “pumpkin pie, who?”

Want to make it yourself? Here is the recipe!

Charlotte – Sweet Potato Casserole

A North Carolina Thanksgiving fav is the sweet potato casserole (backed by a sweet potato pie for dessert, no less), so we’ve scoured the Internet for the sweetest recipe for your Stay Alfred Charlotte Thanksgiving getaway.

Shout out to Foodnetwork.com for this tasty dish!

Chattanooga – Dykes family Thanksgiving Dressing

 

As a Stay Alfred guest in Chattanooga, you live like a local. So how about whipping up this Thanksgiving mainstay enjoyed by six generations of one local family. 

Thanks to Mary Margaret Fussell Dykes and Times Free Press for this recipe!

Chicago – Hashbrown Casserole

We have it on good authority that this combination of cheese, potatoes, philly cream cheese and yes, corn flakes, is downright delicious and deserving of its place on the Thanksgiving table. In fact, grocery stores in the Windy City actually devote entire shelves to the ingredients to make this dish.

Ready to tackle this comfort food? Check out this recipe from myrecipes.com

Cleveland – Smoky Deviled Eggs

The crown platter of Turkey Day hors d’oeuvres, deviled eggs, or devilled eggs, or Russian eggs, whatever you and yours call those tasty protein bombs that slide off the plate and down the hatch so smoothly, always have a place at any Thanksgiving table, Cleveland or not.

Here’s a C-Town recipe fav from Cleveland.com!

Columbus – Baked Blackberry Ricotta French Toast

Breakfast sometimes gets jipped at Thanksgiving time, so here’s a Columbus favorite that’s so easy to make you’ll be done and cleaned up for the dinner crew takes over that Stay Alfred kitchen. Plus there’s soft, buttery, and sweet yumminess involved.

Thank you Halfbakedharvest.com for the recipe!

Dallas – Fried Turkey

According to State Farm, Texas is the biggest offender when it comes to this accident prone way of creating the centerpiece of almost all Thanksgiving meals. And, when you taste this calorie blessed version, you’ll understand why.

While we (and your insurance agent) don’t recommend trying this method out, here’s an article on how to safely tackle a fried turkey from our friends at Texas Monthly. Probably best not to try it inside your Dallas travel apartment, though.

Denver – Frog Eye Salad

Don’t worry, no frogs were hurt in the making of this Denver dish. This sweet pasta (yes, you read that right) dish gets its name from the acini de pepe pasta shape, that when folded into vanilla pudding apparently looks like frog’s eyes. Add sweetened flaked coconut, mini marshmallows and mandarin oranges, and this (shall we say) unique dessert is ready to give Grandma’s jello salad a run for its spot at the dessert table.

Still interested in making a bowl or two? Thanks Delish.com for the recipe!

Fort Worth – Jalapeño Cheese Grits

Fort Worth is a place with Southern fare and Mexican cuisine collide to emit fiery explosions of tastiness like Jalapeño cheese grits. 

Thanks to the Homesicktexan.com for this fiery recipe!

 

Houston – Jalapeno Mac and Cheese

A favorite accompaniment to Houston’s world-famous BBQ, leave it to those Texans to take an American classic and spice it up… literally.

Hankering to add a cheesy dish with a kick to your Thanksgiving meal? Check out the recipe from Texas’ favorite grocery store HEB

Indianapolis – Corn Pudding

Would it be corny of me to say Indianapolis put the corn in corn-ucopia? Yes it would, but I’m doing it anyway. Corn pudding is a Hoosiers fav when it comes to Thanksgiving spreads, and this creamy casserole cuisine will hit the spot!

Thanks to Foodnetwork.com for this tasty recipe!

Memphis – Pickled Okra

As Southern as Memphis itself and definitely delicious, these tangy snacks are the perfect partner for the rich foods of Thanksgiving. Never tried Okra? This is a great way to start.

Who doesn’t love a recipe from a Southern Grandma? Check out Grandma Oma’s Pickled Okra recipe from Allrecipes.com

Miami – Chorizo and Cornbread Stuffing

A Spanish sausage popular in Latin countries, it’s no wonder it found its delicious way into cornbread, and Miami is a great place to try out this dish.  

A big Thanksgiving thank-you to Hispanic Kitchen for this tasty recipe!

 

Minneapolis – Lutefisk 

Ufda! You’ve got all the standard fare, but no authentic Minneapolis Thanksgiving experience is complete without lutefisk. Adored (and hated) by many Scandinavian Americans, lutefisk is dried cod reconstituted in lye and often diluted heavily with a tasty hot mustard sauce.  

Thanks goes to Whatscookingamerica.net for this tasty version! 

Nashville – Turnips and Collard Greens

How often does a vegetable recipe call for a hamhock? In the South, often. Normally found as a traditional side at any of Nashville’s famed Meat and Three restaurants, this savory side is sure to make most picky kids happy when they’re told to eat their veggies!

Ready to cook up some greens? Relish.com has a great recipe.

New Orleans – Oyster Dressing

New Orleanians are known for their culinary prowess. And, while known as the inventors of the Turducken (look it up if you don’t know what this is), Oyster Dressing is a mainstay of any NOLA Thanksgiving table. How did these briny little creatures from the deep end up in this traditional dish? Two reasons; they’re a good source of protein and they were cheap! It’s a good thing they are also delicious.

Want to learn how to make Oyster Dressing from the best? Check out legendary chef Paul Prudhomme’s recipe

Philadelphia – Barbecued Turkey

Barbecued turkey is a Philly tradition ideal for that Stay Alfred grilling area. Super easy to pull off after soaking in brine overnight, this recipe means less kitchen time and more vacation time, as well as the best tasting bird you’ve ever had.  

Thanks to Inquirer.com for the great recipe!

 

Phoenix and Scottsdale – Pumpkin Empanadas

Who doesn’t love a pie you can hold in your hand? The delicious combination of Mexican and traditional Phoenix / Scottsdale cuisine, these petite pastry pockets pack a perfect pumpkin punch. Say that 10 times fast!

Check out the simple recipe from Allrecipes.com

Pittsburgh – Candied Yams

Regular yams being way too healthy for the decadence of the Thanksgiving dinner table, so here’s the Pittsburgh way of loading up those suckers with fat and sugar. 

Thanks to Allrecipes.com for this Philly favorite recipe! 

Portland and Seattle – Mushroom Gravy

Portland and Seattle are known to have a penchant for grilling and the locavore movement (eating only things that grow locally). So, why not use one of the most abundant ingredients found in this part of the country as part of your Thanksgiving meal. Hello, mushroom gravy.

Want to try this tasty alternative to traditional turkey gravy? Check out this recipe from Allrecipes.com

San Antonio – Turkey Tamales

According to San Antonians, tamales mean holidays… so that must mean that turkey tamales mean Thanksgiving! Tex Mex meets turkey in this delicious way to serve up Thanksgiving’s iconic main meal.

Want to push the Thanksgiving envelope even further? How about a recipe that has pumpkin too? Check out this recipe from Honest Food

San Diego – Tacos

It is a scientifically proven fact that San Diegans eat tacos… like, all the time… like seriously, all the time. So, since we couldn’t find a unique Thanksgiving food for this awesome vacation destination, here is the quintessential fish taco recipe from where it’s always sunny and 78 degrees (or more!). 

Savannah – Sweet Potato Pie

Thanks to a deeper, richer flavor than the traditional pumpkin pie, according to folks from Savannah, this is the best Thanksgiving dessert… ever. We suggest trying a slice, or two, or three to test the theory.

Want to bring a bit of Southern charm to the table? Try this recipe from Land O’Lakes because butter makes everything better.

Scottsdale – Caramel-Pecan Apple Pie

Arizona is pecan country, and you’ll love the sweet smell of apples and caramel cooking up in your Stay Alfred kitchen this Thanksgiving when you whip up this delicious desert dessert! 

Thanks to Tasteofhome.com for this great recipe!

Spokane, Washington – Hot Spiced Cranberry Cider

Spokane can get pretty cold come Thanksgiving, so here’s recipe to warm the tummy and the soul. Great for washing down devilled eggs, this delicious hot drink recipe was created by local chef Chad White, whom you might recognize from the television show Top Chef! 

Thanks to Spokesman.com and author Laurel Randolph for publishing Chad’s awesome recipe!

Tampa, Florida – Adobo Turkey with Red-Chile Gravy

No ordinary turkey, this Tampa recipe favorite brings the flavor of roasted guajillo and ancho chiles to the Thanksgiving table. A slew of spices and aromatics are used for marinating the bird in a succulent adobo sauce – for flavor very much at home in Florida! 

Thanks to epicurious.com for the great recipe! 

Tempe, Arizona – World’s Simplest Turkey

The weather in Tempe being so nice around Thanksgiving compared with other parts of the country, you might want to spend more time outside frolicking than inside cooking, while still enjoying the holiday cuisine of course. Here’s a fast-and-easy recipe to fill the belly.   

Thanks to Foodnetwork.com for this lovely recipe!

Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia – Cranberry Orange Relish

None of that canned cranberry goo for our friends in the Northeast. Nope! They prefer homemade cranberry relish (sweetened of course). Add a bit of orange zest and you’ll have the bit of citrus you need to accompany a rich sausage stuffing (that they also like!).

Ready to ditch the canned cranberry? Here’s an easy-to-follow recipe from the folks at Ocean Spray, because let’s face it, they know cranberries.

Well, thanks to our cross country dish trip, we’re now starving and looking forward to whatever surprises await us across the country. No matter where you call home this Thanksgiving, your friends at Stay Alfred wish you the very best and hope you spend it with friends and family.

Happy Thanksgiving (and happy eating!)