Thanksgiving is my know-it-all sister Rose’s favorite holiday because it gives her the opportunity to go on and on about The Perfect Bite… This ain’t news to me – I hear this shpiel every November. But in the spirit of Giving, I’ve offered Rose this space to spread her message and tell you all about the theory of Thanksgiving and The Perfect Taste. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Take it away, Rose… – Ty
Actually Ty, it’s the perfect Thanksgiving bite, also known as the Power Bite, is an art unto itself. While it is not exclusive to Thanksgiving, as you fill out your Thanksgiving work sheet, I’m sure you’ll find that the individual components of the traditional Thanksgiving meal are in fact enhanced when eaten simultaneously.
EXHIBIT A: TURKEY
Turkey, while delicious, tends to be slightly bland and is often dry when eaten on its own. However, it is the ideal canvas upon which to slather other bold flavors. Enter…
EXHIBIT B: CRANBERRY SAUCE
This is arguably the strongest flavor on the Thanksgiving plate. Bright pink, tangy, and sweet, a big spoonful of gelatinous cranberry sauce tends to be too intense on it’s own. It needs the sturdy turkey to cut the intensity and…
EXHIBIT C: MASHED POTATOES
The creaminess of this element is integral to balancing out the cranberry tang and the threat of dry turkey. Without this magical, warm, buttery goodness the magic of our Power Bite is lost.
EXHIBIT D: STUFFING
The rogue element. Salty, earthy, and rich, stuffing adds depth and sophistication on your fork.
EXHIBIT E: THE GREEN ELEMENT
In the Pie Guy household we swear by green beans on the Thanksgiving table, but I know some of you may have asparagus or brussels sprouts or some other wonderful crunchy fresh vegetable instead (does anyone do broccoli? I’ve always wondered…). Like any good meal, nothing is complete without a little bit of green vegetable. It helps us stay healthy, and every good Power Bite needs a bit of crunch.
EXHIBIT F: GRAVY, BABY!
This is my favorite part, the final step before we bite! Dipping everything in gravy works in the necessary umami flavor and really ties the bite together.
OK, well I have to get back to my Ancient Turkey Brining Secrets from Istanbul seminar! If this hasn’t convinced you, the only thing left to do is try it yourself. And please! Report back! I’d love to hear your own theories on this. What is in your perfect Thanksgiving bite?
