Thanksgiving 101: Celebrate America's Favorite Holiday with America's Thanksgiving Expert (Holidays 101) by Rick Rodgers

Thanksgiving 101: Celebrate America's Favorite Holiday with America's Thanksgiving Expert (Holidays 101) 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

  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

  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

  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

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

  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.
  
  
• 
  Danielle

  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

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

  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.
• 
  April Robertson-Ring

  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

  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

  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.
• 
  Melissa

  Very good recipe instructions.
• 
  Nikki

  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

  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

  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

  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

  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

  Great turkey roasting instructions!
• 
  Audrey

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

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

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

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

  Recipes and ideas for Thanksgiving.