Why is it that some of the more interesting Thanksgiving-related "food-stuffs" appear after the Canadian Thanksgiving? It always seems that the American Thanksgiving (4th Thursday of November) is celebrated with more pomp and pageantry than its Canadian counterpart (2nd Monday of October). More magazines are devoted to the preparation of turkey and "fixings." More television shows put out Thanksgiving episodes, especially on the Food Network. More advertising is spent on both Thanksgiving and "Black Friday."

Perhaps the disparity has something to do with "Black Friday." "Black Friday" is the Friday after Thanksgiving. It is considered the unofficial first day of the Christmas shopping season. In Canada, Thanksgiving's statutory holiday is Monday, which means Canadians get an extended weekend (3 days, instead of 2). In the United States, the statutory holiday is Thursday, which means that Americans are obligated to work the following Friday. However, because of "Black Friday" sales, worker absenteeism spikes that day. Are Canadians given a day's rest, while American are encouraged to "work off" the turkey while shopping?

As an example of American Thanksgiving-specific food-stuffs, take the following poll that I gleaned from the TV.com website last year:



Television Chef Poll: Whom would you want to prepare Thanksgiving dinner in your home?
Even the Canadian counterpart to the Food Network, foodnetwork.ca, has yet to do anything similar.

Though, I am somewhat concerned by the popular choices. Accordingly, the top three TV Chefs polled were Tyler Florence, Gordon Ramsay, and Giada de Laurentiis. Tyler Florence is an American chef, whose various cooking shows, including my favourite: "Tyler's Ultimate", celebrate American cuisine. He is an appropriate choice. Thanksgiving originates in the new world as a harvest festival celebrated by "pilgrims." As such, it is a North American tradition. Giada de Laurentiis serves up contemporary Italian dishes on her show. Gordon Ramsay is a British chef of the classic French tradition. When he's not balking at the kitchen brigade in any of his dozen restaurants, he's trying to uplift the world's opinion of British cuisine. Thus, neither chefs (yes, Giada has chef's papers from le Cordon Bleu) cook food that normally celebrate Thanksgiving. To my utmost surprise, down home Southerner Paula Deen and Bobby Flay faired poorly.

And, here is a more recent list of novel ideas for Thanksgiving leftovers from the, Yahoo.com-affiliated, Better Home and Garden Magazine's website.

1. Bountiful Herbed Turkey and Waffles
2. Sweet Potato Pankcakes
3. Slow Cooker New World Chili
4. Quick Potato-Topped Beef Bowls
5. Layered Turkey Enchiladas
6. Mile-High Turkey Panini Sandwich

Source: BHG.com
Similar whimsical or unorthodox recipes did not appear during the Canadian Thanksgiving...

BTW, the Sweet Potato Pankcakes link leads to a cupcake recipe.

BHG's Novel Ideas for Thanksgiving Leftovers
"Pank" is more than likely a typo.

Regarding leftovers, my better half and I have been hosting Thanksgiving dinner for family and friends during the past several years. This year, we instituted what I hope will become a tradition for leftover turkey. We sent our guests home with freshly-made turkey pot pies. They were put together and baked during the dessert course. Ingredients included leftover turkey breast meat, freshly sweated vegetables, a milk bechemel (seasoned with summer savory), and sheets of puff pastry. Since, we serve Thanksgiving dinner Sunday evening, my guests have something ready-to-eat for lunch the next day.

Anyhow, cheers to my American neighbors! Have a good Thanksgiving!

To Canadian content providers, shape up! Next year, you'd better show me the turkey!