Thanksgiving 101: Celebrate America's Favorite Holiday with America's Thanksgiving Expert – Classic Recipes and Tips for Traditional Turkey Dinners and Delicious Vegetarian Feasts

by Rick Rodgers

Completely revised and updated with new recipes and information, two classic cookbooks to make the holidays delicious, simple, festive, and fun One of the most popular cooking teachers in America, Rick Rodgers has taught his Thanksgiving 101 classes for years, and now he’s collected all of his know-how, classic recipes, menu ideas, timetables, hints, and shortcuts in one indispensable volume. From shopping through chopping, from making flawless gravy to fearlessly carving the bird, he offers tips, insight, and inspiration every steop of the way. Whether it a tradition holiday feast with turkey and all the traditional trimming, chutneys, and chowders; a vegetarian dinner with just the trimmings; or new ideas for regional classics, including Cajun- or Italian-inspired tastes, Thanksgiving 101 serves up a delicious education for novice and experienced cooks alike.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Food, Nonfiction, Thanksgiving, Holiday

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Caitlin]

Really fun to read and great recipes. After cooking thanksgiving myself for over a decade now, some of it wasn’t new but it helped spur me on to try a couple different things and recipes. It’s helped my motivation this year!

[Tome Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book in 1998 when cookbooks reigned. I was 29 years old had spent all my previous Thanksgiving holidays with grandmas and in-laws who were already masters at making this meal. Back then all I had to do was show up. But by 1998 I was on my own and ready to learn how to master this complicated feast.

I've learned something every year I've used this book. I cracked open this book today and saw all the notes I've written in this cookbook. Lots of stains on the pie crust page and the rolls page. Also, there are stars next to recipes I've tried and love. Its rare for me to write in any book, but this one was a keeper from the very beginning and it has become a sort of journal in my TG cooking journey.

Thanksgiving 101 taught me how to make the dinner rolls. I just finished making a batch and taste testing one before I sat down to write this review--yep, still the best.

I've kept this book because the recipes and their variants are spot on and because Rodgers has the heart of a teacher. I appreciate the explanations he includes with his recipes.

If you're an old pro at TG, good for you. If you're a perpetual beginner, give this one a try.

[CraftyBirdies · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was way fun to read. I'm making my first turkey meal ever for my husband and my parents. It was entertaining and had lots of general tips for entertaining and cooking the items. There are sections for appetizers, sides, turkey, desserts, etc. The book explains things from the basics so a beginner cook does not feel intimidated.

Very experienced cooks may feel the tips at the beginning of each section are a little basic, but it's still entertaining to read the tidbits of history (about dressing vs. stuffing, where different styles of stuffing comes from, different sweet potatoes, etc.) and there are enough recipes for any cook! The recipes range from basic to fancy and should satisfy any taste buds.

[Cat · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good Thanksgiving cookbook that is very seasoned with the author's opinions. The sides show that the book was first put out in the 90's and some haven't aged well.

[Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was worth it, just to find a reliable way to make enough gravy!

[Sydney Levi · Rating 5 out of 5]

My fav big holiday! Of course I was excited when my husband got me this cookbook! Such good classics and some fun twists for the ultimate feast!

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

The guide Thanksgiving 101: Celebrate America's Favorite Holiday with America's Thanksgiving Expert by Rick Rodgers is not the book for me. First, it's full of verbiage with anecdotes (although I did appreciate the history portion) and goes on to shame people who use paper products on a rushed day into believing that they are just not celebrating right when I was taught that the holiday is about family and giving thanks for your blessings. Then, the recipes Rodgers uses are not what I would ever consider and I am not even sure that people today know what a jello mold is. Regardless, I did like the section about involving the children with their own corner to decorate the cookies for the after dinner coffee and a potential crafting table. What I didn't see though was how to decorate their own table.

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. Have you ever made turkey gravy so dark and flavorful it looks like beef gravy? Or had your turkey breast meat turn out juicy and tender instead of dry and stringy? Or made the "best pie ever"? Or made mashed potatoes ahead of time, popped them in the oven to reheat, and not have them turn into a gluey mess? I have, which is why I love this cookbook. It has straightforward, yummy recipes that even a beginner can do.

This book includes some of the most basic of recipes that some people might find annoying. For example, there is a recipe to making your own whipped cream. Some people have that memorized, it's so easy (cream, sugar, whip). But others will probably appreciate being told the absolute basics. However, there are enough interesting variations that more experienced cooks will want to try out. He has plain ol' stuffing, but also Corn Bread Stuffing with Ham, Fresh Fennel, Chestnuts, and Sage. There's Homemade Cranberry Sauce, but also Cranberry and Fig Sauce. I like the mix of basic recipes, and other recipes that are a little off the beaten path.

[Jo Schnittman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone should have a copy of this book who prepares a Thanksgiving meal. Excellent do ahead advice. His Turkey wing stock really helpful. .

[Danielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

It has some good tips and techniques, and I really like the timetable at the end but I much prefer "Thanksgiving" by Sam Sifton.

[Evelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of ideas. Written like the author is actually chatting with you :)

[SKP · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would absolutely never use this book for actual entertaining. Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, etc. is usually just my husband and I. We don’t have children, our families are small and scattered all over the place, and we are too introverted to have friends we want to invite. But I enjoy looking through cookbooks, and I enjoy reading about holidays, so I kind of skimmed this. Apparently it is kind of an older book, but I think if you were really, really into the holiday entertaining habit, this would be a good book to inspire different ideas, and the recipes seem to be varied and good ones. I did not read this word by word, just scanned it mostly over several days, but I think I got the general idea. One section I did highlight to refer to later and that was leftover recipes. My husband and I never eat turkey on a holiday, but he does occasionally smoke one on his smoker (last time was in June!), so it is nice to have a few more ideas on things we can do with leftover turkey.

[Mia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm only giving this 3 stars for now because, to be fair, I have only read this and have not yet tried the recipes. Easy to read & the recipes themselves have step by step instructions as well as additional info about the why's & why not's, which is important to me.
As the lone cook for our family holiday meals, it is also important to me to be able to put a lovely meal on the table and still have time to socialize. Many of these recipes translates well to day or days ahead preparation. Looking forward to updating this review!

[April Robertson-Ring · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of great info for planning thanksgiving. I host every year for the past 11 years and this year really wanted to brush up on my planning. This book was PERFECT. I got several new techniques and recalled things I used to do but for some reason haven't the past few years. I loved this and will use it again next holiday.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO helpful. I could never shake feeling overwhelmed by Thanksgiving, since I only get one time a year to practice (not to mention that growing up this was a three person meal for me, and now as an adult I'm usually serving 15-20!). Thanks to this book I finally feel excited instead of scared. I will definitely be referring to this for many years to come!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, easy-to-follow recipes. The cranberry cheesecake is lovely. I like the stories behind the food, and there is a chapter on what to do with al that leftover turkey, too.

[Stacy Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanksgiving!!

A well thought out guide to Thanksgiving with recipes, personal and historical anecdotes, and pictures. A good pre-holiday season read!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good recipe instructions.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though "America's Thanksgiving Expert" works for Perdue Farms, his Thanksgiving cookbook is very useful, and you'll have an even better Thanksgiving if you skip the factory-farmed, injected turkeys in favor of one from a nearby farm. His turkey recipes are good, and some of the recipes for leftovers are good enough to justify going out to get more turkey. I never thought one really needed a recipe for mashed potatoes, but Rodgers' version is so foolproof that I use it all the time now. The Yankee Corn Bread is the best, and the variation using chilies and cheese for a Southwestern flavor is wonderful as well. Recommended for Thanksgiving and all year round.

[Carole at From My Carolina Home · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an unassuming little book, that is packed full of some of the best recipes and advice you will ever find on the subject of Thanksgiving food and festivities. More than once I have looked through it for ideas, cooked from it for other holidays, and ordered copies for my friends. It is a keeper, get a copy!

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Took a class from Mr. Rodgers at the Sur la Table in Newport Beach. It was a demo class and we ate and ate many courses of his wonderful food. He also regaled us with fun family stories of Thanksgiving.
I don't need to call any "turkey help hotline" with this book for reference.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great cookbook. I refer to it every year. It has all the classic recipes in it, plus some great alternatives. It also has great tips on organizing your time that are very handy. The Christmas 101 cookbook is good too, but this one is the best.

[TK · Rating 5 out of 5]

A juicy turkey, smooth, flavorful and dark gravy, stuffing to please a crowd. This cookbook got me through my first "real" Thanksgiving without missing a trick.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great turkey roasting instructions!

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I use this every Thanksgiving. It's my go to book for holiday recipes.

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great celebration-day reference and quick, useful tool in planning meals like thanksgiving.

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fair. If you can cook, this book is definitely not for you!

[Nikki Dinki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been my families go-to Thanksgiving book for a long time, it's wonderful.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recipes and ideas for Thanksgiving.