Bushra Griffith
Thanksgiving is a time for family, gratitude, and, of course, food. While it may be tempting to experiment with new recipes, some dishes are considered sacred, and tampering with them is akin to sacrilege. One such dish is macaroni and cheese—a comfort food that occupies a special place in the hearts (and stomachs) of many, especially during Thanksgiving. As one Twitter user learned the hard way, adding cream cheese to the traditional mac and cheese recipe can result in disaster, sparking a family uproar that will be retold for years to come. So, if you're planning to bring a dish to the Thanksgiving table, remember: don't mess with the mac and cheese!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Occasion | Thanksgiving |
| Food | Macaroni and Cheese |
| Experiment | Using cream cheese as an ingredient |
| Outcome | Negative |
| Response | Anger, criticism, and disappointment |
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What You'll Learn
Stick to traditional recipes
Thanksgiving is a time-honoured tradition, and with it comes a bevy of traditional dishes that are expected to be served. One of these beloved dishes is macaroni and cheese. It is a dish that is valued by many, especially in Black families, and is considered just as important as the turkey.
Macaroni and cheese is a dish that is often subject to experimentation, with people adding their own twists and ingredients, such as cream cheese. However, Thanksgiving is not the time to experiment with this classic dish. It is a dish that people look forward to and expect to be perfect. If you are tasked with bringing the macaroni and cheese, it is best to stick to a traditional recipe.
There are many reasons to stick to a traditional recipe for macaroni and cheese on Thanksgiving. Firstly, it is a dish that people are passionate about, and any deviation from the expected recipe may be met with disappointment or even anger. It is a dish that is highly valued, and people have strong opinions about how it should be made. Secondly, Thanksgiving is a time for comfort and familiarity. Macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food, and by sticking to a traditional recipe, you provide a sense of familiarity and warmth to those gathered for the holiday.
Finally, a traditional macaroni and cheese recipe is a crowd-pleaser. It is a dish that is loved by many, and by sticking to a classic recipe, you can ensure that your dish will be enjoyed by all. While it may be tempting to add a unique twist, Thanksgiving is not the time to experiment. Keep the macaroni and cheese simple, classic, and traditional, and your Thanksgiving guests will surely be thankful.
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Practice new recipes before Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a time-honored tradition, and with it comes the expectation of certain dishes being served. While it can be tempting to try out new recipes, it's best to practice them beforehand rather than experimenting on the day itself. This is especially true if you're hosting a larger group, as you don't want to risk disappointing your guests or, worse, running out of food!
One of the most important tips for hosting Thanksgiving is to plan and prepare. Making a list of the dishes you want to serve and the ingredients needed will ensure you don't miss anything crucial. It's also a good idea to cook or bake as much as you can in the days leading up to Thanksgiving. This way, you'll have less to do on the day, and you can focus on the more time-consuming dishes.
If you're thinking of trying out a new recipe, it's worth testing it out beforehand. Choose a smaller gathering or a regular weekend meal to give it a trial run. This way, you can perfect the recipe and get feedback from your guests. It's also a great opportunity to fine-tune the flavors and presentation. By practicing, you'll feel more confident about serving it on Thanksgiving, and you'll know exactly how much time and effort is required.
A classic example of a dish that shouldn't be experimented with is macaroni and cheese. It's a beloved side dish, especially among Black families, and any deviation from the traditional recipe can cause quite a stir. As one person on Twitter recounted, their cousin's attempt to add cream cheese to the macaroni and cheese resulted in a minor family scandal. It's safe to say that experimenting with this dish on Thanksgiving is not worth the potential backlash!
So, if you're considering experimenting with new recipes this Thanksgiving, it's best to practice beforehand. Choose a few trial runs to perfect your dishes, and save the tried-and-true favorites for the big day. By planning and preparing, you'll ensure a delicious and stress-free Thanksgiving for you and your guests.
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Don't experiment with staple dishes
Thanksgiving is a time-honored tradition, and with it comes a bevy of classic dishes that are expected to be on the table. Macaroni and cheese is one such staple dish that has become a beloved part of the Thanksgiving meal for many families, particularly Black families. It is a dish that is valued just as much as the turkey, if not more.
However, Thanksgiving is not the time to experiment with these beloved staples, especially if you are the guest and not the host. As one person on Reddit advises, if you are asked to bring mac and cheese, it is best to make the traditional version that everyone will love, and save your experimental "avant-garde" version for another time. This is because, as Twitter users have pointed out, experimenting with a classic dish like mac and cheese can ruin the whole meal, and you may never be allowed to bring that dish again.
In fact, one Twitter user shared a video of their aunt scolding their cousin for using cream cheese in the Thanksgiving mac and cheese, which was then picked up by Tumblr, Instagram, and other online platforms. The video sparked a discussion about the importance of not experimenting with staple dishes during Thanksgiving, with some users even suggesting that the cousin remain on cleanup duty for life and that the incident would be brought up at every family gathering.
Therefore, it is best to stick to the classic recipes for staple dishes like mac and cheese during Thanksgiving, and if you want to experiment, choose a different occasion or a different dish.
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Don't dictate how someone makes a dish
It's understandable that people may have strong opinions about how their food is prepared, especially during Thanksgiving when there are expectations and traditions to uphold. However, it's important to respect the chef's creativity and autonomy when they are preparing a dish for you, even if it's for a special occasion like Thanksgiving.
In the case of macaroni and cheese, it seems that this dish holds a significant place in the Thanksgiving meal for many, particularly in Black families, where it is valued as much as, if not more than, the turkey. As a result, some may feel hesitant to deviate from a traditional recipe, fearing that any experimentation could ruin the entire meal.
However, this doesn't mean that experimentation is inherently bad or that someone should be dictated to about how they make their macaroni and cheese. As one person on Reddit points out, if you ask someone to make a dish, it's not appropriate to send them a specific recipe to follow. This takes away their agency and creativity in the kitchen and could be seen as an ungrateful act, as the chef's efforts and intentions are not being respected.
Instead of dictating how someone makes a dish, it's better to embrace a spirit of openness and gratitude. If you're the one doing the cooking, you could consider preparing two versions of the same dish: a traditional one that you know everyone will love, and an experimental version that you're excited to try. This way, you can satisfy both the desire for familiarity and the urge to explore new culinary possibilities.
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Don't ruin the whole meal
Macaroni and cheese is a beloved dish at Thanksgiving, valued just as much as the turkey. It's a dish that people feel very strongly about—so much so that experimenting with the recipe can cause quite a stir.
A story that went viral on Twitter in 2018 is a testament to this. A user shared a video of their aunt berating their cousin for using cream cheese in the Thanksgiving macaroni and cheese, with the caption: "she was soooo mad... [she] messed up the whole meal". The video sparked a debate about the importance of macaroni and cheese at Thanksgiving and the potential consequences of tampering with a beloved recipe.
As one Twitter user commented, experimenting with the mac and cheese on Thanksgiving means you "remain on cleanup for the rest of your natural life". Another user advised that it's best to stick to the traditional recipe that you know everyone will love, rather than attempting something new that may ruin the whole meal.
If you're hosting a Thanksgiving dinner, it's understandable that you might want to showcase your culinary skills or try out a new recipe. However, it's important to consider the potential risks of doing so. To avoid disaster, it might be wise to stick to a classic, crowd-pleasing recipe for the mac and cheese, and perhaps experiment with a different dish instead.
If you're set on trying something new, consider hosting a "Friendsgiving" a few months before the official holiday. This can be a great opportunity to experiment with different recipes and find new favorites, without the pressure of the main event.
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Frequently asked questions
Macaroni and cheese is a Thanksgiving staple, valued just as much as the turkey. Experimenting with the recipe may ruin the meal, and you may be cursed out or banished to cleanup duty for the rest of your natural life.
Some people have added cream cheese to the traditional macaroni and cheese recipe.
You may be cursed out, especially if you're Black and mess up the macaroni and cheese. You may also be banned from bringing mac and cheese to future Thanksgiving dinners.
If you want to experiment with macaroni and cheese, it's better to do it during a summer or early fall "Friendsgiving".
If you're not confident in your macaroni and cheese-making skills, it's best to stick to a traditional recipe that you know everyone will love. You can always experiment with a smaller group of people or during a different time of year.
