People regularly ask me for recommendations: from which culinary classics to have on their bookshelves, to which ingredients to keep in their cupboards, or what utensils are best for certain techniques. So, as a Pasta Grannies team, we thought it was about time to share a few of our favourite things. Each week, on the Pasta Grannies blog, we’ll share a few key items we’re loving.
Thanksgiving is on the horizon, and Christmas is not long behind it. Although not everyone regularly celebrates these holidays, and there are many seasonal festas depending on location, culture, or personal family traditions; any opportunity to have a big meal around a table with friends is our kind of thing.
So, here’s some essentials for whatever meals you plan to serve around the table with you and yours, this holiday season.
STOCK
Items we regularly have on shelves in our pantry
Our grandmothers highly recommend cooking things from scratch. Trimmings made with love always taste SO much better.
Yet of course, if you’re anything like my family someone will forget something. At least two big family roasts of mine have involved a forgotten cranberry sauce. I’ve now learnt my lesson; I tend to buy a jar well ahead of the season. I like the Fortnum and Mason, and the Tiptree Wild Cranberry ones. They’re not too sweet and provide the perfect mix of berry and bitterness to go with many cuts of meat. They also double up brilliantly as a chutney for long-awaited leftovers sandwich.
MAKE
The best kitchen gadgets and gizmos to make a family-style spread.
Team Pasta Grannies are suckers for the side dishes; they’re often better than the main event. No matter whether you cook a specific type of meat, fish, or a veggie dish for a holiday main, one thing you’ll definitely need are serving bowls and dishes so your guests to help themselves to all the extras. We love the bottle green colour of this Staub roaster pot. It’s versatile because you can cook in it; or just serve it in, but either way it looks glorious (and suitably festive).
For something a little more traditional (i.e. channelling your nonna chic), try this Spode fluted oval dishfor a mound of fluffy roasted potatoes. Fancy bringing a spot of Sicilian sunshine to your stuffing and veg? How about this Ceramiche Azzaro & Romano Caltagirone trio set.
ENJOY
Other things we’ve been enjoying inside or outside of the kitchen.
Do you eat pumpkin at this time of year? I love it and for many of you across the pond, pumpkin is a fail-safe ingredient for Thanksgiving. However, it doesn’t only need to go in a pie. Fancy finding something new to cook with? Check out all our pumpkin picks in this favourite things post.
If holiday season is synonymous with baking and cookies, why not discover Team Pasta Grannies suggestions on what we like to bake with. We’ve also got heaps of sweet secret granny recipes we’ve gathered on our travels this year: taste Lina’s biscotti, or put a different twist on Nonna Nella’s crostata with a filling of your choice; you could even adapt it to have a traditional American pumpkin-pie filling. Let us know how you’re making yours.
Please note that all these items are real recommendations chosen at our own discretion, and not a result of paid placement. Sometimes, however, we may include affiliate links)
