A Florida Thanksgiving

I spend a lot of my Thanksgivings in Florida at the house that was once my grandparents but now belong to my parents.  We were there last year, in November 2010 and had a wonderful Thanksgiving right at the house.   It was one of my all time favorite Thanksgiving dinners, despite being away from home.

So here are some fun suggestions for a Florida Thanksgiving... (or a Thanksgiving dinner that your cooking in a vacation home)

Some of these can even be transferred to your home Thanksgiving Dinner.

Suggestion 1:  Got only one oven to use?  Why not cook the turkey on the grill.   A turkey on the grill can still be stuffed and it comes out moist on the inside but crispy on the outside.  This can be done up North as well, but might require a jacket and sometimes even snow boots.   So much more fun when your wearing a t-shirt and shorts.  But either way, its a great solution for a single oven, keeping your oven free to cook the delicious sides.

Suggestion 2: When setting the table remember your surroundings.   At least up North we usually associate Thanksgiving with fall colors and autumn leaves.   A traditional Thanksgiving table at home plays up on these fall themes using bright orange or brown colored table clothes and leaf table runners or place-mats and acorn accents.  But you don't see a lot of fall leaves in dark browns and bright oranges and reds when your in Florida.  Instead you are surrounded by palm leaves and green vegetation.  So play up on it when setting your table.  Embrace the local foliage and save the fall decor for up North.   On this outdoor Thanksgiving Table setup we are using palm leave place-mats, plates and palm tree candle holders to set the tone.

Suggestion 3: Make the traditional sides but edit them.  Even though you might be eating in a warm climate, don't forget to make many of your traditional favorites.  But also be aware of your surroundings...  you might want to leave out some of the heavier foods or anything with cream or dairy that can go bad quickly in the warm Florida sun.  Some sides can be adjusted to better suit a warm climate.  This is also true when it comes to dessert.  A pumpkin pie might seem like a heavy dessert on a hot Florida evening, but a pumpkin trifle with butterscotch and Cool Whip Lite is a great light and airy alternative to the heavy pumpkin pie.  Of course if you want the pumpkin pie, there is no rule against it.

Suggestion 4: If your in a vacation home, don't forget, you're not cooking in your kitchen.  You may not have the staples you are used to having in your own kitchen... things like flour, sugar, spices, even bowls or utensils.   Check your recipes carefully ahead of time and make sure you have everything you need.  Plan out recipes that minimize the need to buy a lot of stock items that will sit unused in your vacation house.

Suggestion 5: Enjoy the view!  Whether its a golf course, your yard, a lake or the gulf.... sit back and enjoy the view while you eat!   Although I have to say, this one is easy to get used to!