GAZELLE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2018 | Page 63

CUISINE Thanksgiving with a Twist By Suzanne Corbett T hanksgiving is predictable. The menu and the recipes haven’t changed for decades. Turkey, stuffing, cranberries and pumpkin will be prepared according to one’s own family recipes, with a menu of “must haves,” like the obligatory green bean casserole and pumpkin pie; all traditional, all good, and all culinarily dated. That said, I propose updating the menu, striking a balance between the old and the new. Begin with subtle changes. Consider swapping out canned green beans for fresh ones in that green bean casserole. Or add a splash of brandy to the cranberry sauce, and order bakery dinner rolls in lieu of the brown-and-serves. After making minor menu changes, consider adding something totally new, whether it’s made from scratch or bought ready-to-serve from a gourmet grocery or caterer such as Nourish by Hollyberry. Hollyberry offers a subscription menu service, along with select à la carte items designed for hurried holiday hosts, and Thanksgiving sides, like Butternut Mac ‘n’ Cheese. “Butternut mixed with creamy macaroni and cheese has an amazing flavor. Even the leftovers are wonderful. Just shape what’s left into balls, roll in panko, and bake until crisp,” said Holly Cunningham, president of Nourish by Hollyberry. Butternut and pumpkin are among chef Thu Rein Oo’s favorite Thanksgiving vegetables. Oo, originally from Myanmar (formerly Burma), migrated to the U.S. from Malaysia in 2008. He began his Butternut Mac 'n' Cheese, an inspired holiday side dish created by Nourish by Hollyberry SAVVY I SOPHISTICATED I SASSY 61