How to Make Thanksgiving Delicious & Stress-Free

Thanksgivings of my childhood are something I long for now as an adult. That’s something I never imagined I’d say. They were long, and filled with a lot of food I didn’t appreciate since I was a picky eater. My favorite part was the first course—baked ziti, not kidding, and the last course dessert. Everything in between was just a distraction, and obstacle between me and a cannoli.

The first year I hosted was while four months pregnant with my first daughter, back in 2002. I took over the hosting duties because my aunt who’d hosted every year of my life until then decided she was done cooking a big feast. Mikey, my last husband though it was a fool’s quest. My family was incredibly hard to please. In the end he was half right but I’m so glad I took over the Thanksgiving torch, and am grateful to have those memories.

My aunt, the cook of the family, died a few years ago. Mikey’s been gone 14 years now. Those memories sustain me, even if they make me misty eyed now that so many of the people who sat around that table are no longer with us. I channeled all of the love and memories from my early years as a guest, and later on as the host, to create a Thanksgiving Cookbook to help make hosting the holiday easier for all of you. You can find the cookbook by clicking here to get it on my Substack. If you’re not already a subscriber there, use this link to save 50% off your first year’s membership.

Happy Thanksgiving, and hugs from my family to yours. —xo, jennie