Comfort Foods, Traditions & Celebration

So much of our holidays and celebrations center around food, family and friends, and tradition. Yesterday, the United States celebrated Thanksgiving, which usually involves a gathering of family and friends around a table, where the star is typically turkey. Everything else is flexible. :) Let's see how some of our NYUS family members celebrate U.S. Thanksgiving...

RITA HENUBER shared many lovely photos of past Thanksgivings, and I have to say, I want to have Thanksgiving at Rita's house!

Traditionally, the guys cook the turkey. Also, a place is set for those who have died, so they are a part of the celebration. 

Lately, however, she's been celebrating with a mimosa at sunrise on the beach to greet the day. 

And then a dip in the pool, followed by a poolside feast.

"Don't you be eyeing my sweet potatoes!"

MAUREEN A. MILLER shares a picture of last year's Thanksgiving. Beautiful table setting! My mouth is watering.

JEAN HARRINGTON shares some of her beautiful decorations that help set the mood.

ELISE WARNER shares one of her favorite holiday recipes:

Date and Nut Loaf

1 egg

1 cup sugar

2 tablespoons butter

Cream well & add 1 cup chopped walnuts

10 oz. package of dates cut up

1 & 3/4 cups of flour

Slowly add 1 cup of boiling water

Butter a loaf tin. Pour in batter. Bake in slow oven (350 degrees) 1 hour.

As for me, I've made my share of holiday meals, and cooking feels like I’m giving thanks to my loved ones, showing how much I appreciate them.

One of my husband's favorites is the sweet potato casserole (recipe compliments of Ruth’s Chris steakhouse) Warning: It's more like a dessert than a side.

Here's the link to the recipe for that one. You're welcome. :D

What dishes and traditions are special parts of your family gatherings? 

I’m thankful for all of you, dear NYUS readers/visitors, and wish you a fabulous weekend, no matter where you live or how you celebrate.

Variety is The Spice of Life

By Sandy Parks

How many times have you heard a new author say they were afraid to share their idea because someone might write the same story? If you’ve been a writer for long, my guess is it has been a frequent occurrence, and you may even have had those doubts yourself when you first started writing. But each person comes from a different background, with varying experiences, and cultural differences. Alas, the saying "variety is the spice of life."

Building on the word “spice,” I can’t help but relate this thought to food. I noticed on a recent trip that no matter what basic ingredients are given to cooks in various states or countries, they come up with unique dishes and methods of cooking the same food.

South African meat stews

As writers we serve up our story themes and ideas in much the same way. Some prefer to cook their meat in pots to create savory stew, throwing everything together and letting it boil until tender.

Moroccan lamb cooked on open fire

An outdoor lover might choose to barbecue their lamb on a tree limb spit over an open campfire with only rancid butter rubbed onto the meat. 

Greek kabobs

A bit more easy-going type might go the simpler route and grill it on skewers. 

Lamb in lemon sauce

Another might choose a classier method and bake their lamb in lemon until it falls apart. 

Goat in Red Sauce (island of Eos)

An adventurer might try something unique like goat with red sauce.

Pita kabobs (Greek)

An on the go type, might simply wrap their meat in a pita and paper. 

South Africa

Would your characters eat their fish whole or filleted without head and tail?

Seaside gumbo near Athens

 When serving up shrimp gumbo, will the shrimp still be whole (with exoskeleton) or already cleaned?

Yogurt Greens- Turkey

Greek Salad

Are your greens cooked in savory yogurt, sautéed in oils, or served fresh like in a Greek salad?

Can you see how the same story idea can be cooked up in many different ways? And the variations don't end there. After being cooked, spices are added depending upon regions, and that gives the story even more character. So next time you sit down to eat, think about how you spice up your characters, settings, and storyline. My characters in the Hawker Incorporated Series travel around the world so keep in touch with them and see what interesting dishes they discover.