Create the Perfect Thanksgiving Tablescape: Bring together recipes, dishes and table decor to deliver a visual feast.
Everyone knows, the best thing about Thanksgiving is gathering around a beautifully decorated table to share a delicious, home-cooked meal with family and friends. While cooking is a labor of love, setting the perfect table requires more than just a great recipe. One of the most impactful touches you can add to your dinner table this holiday season is thoughtful decor that coordinates with the meal you’ve prepared. At McCoy Homes, we want our readers to know how to make the most of every meal with the family – we want you to know how to create the perfect Thanksgiving Tablescape.
What is a Tablescape?
Tablescape is a trendy word for something Southern women have been doing forever – making their tables beautiful and inviting. Think of a tablescape as taking “setting the table” to the next level. Beautify your dinner table and make a meal look even more delicious than it seems at first. It can also make the dining table more inviting, more comfortable, and more beautiful. Consider a themed tablescape – red checked tablecloth and a breadbasket for a lasagna or spaghetti to enhance the Italian atmosphere. For a shrimp boil, create a beach themed table. There are limitless ideas depending on your meal plan.
Here is a fully planned dinner you can match up with an exciting Southern style tablescape. Southern cooking is second to none, so consider trying some of the McCoy Homes team’s favorite recipes for this holiday season – but don’t be shy about putting your own unique spin on them!
Appetizer: Zucchini and Cheese Roulades
These delicious bites are easy to make and pair well with all kinds of meals. Zucchini and cheese roulades only require a few fresh, medium-sized zucchinis, Greek olives, capers, feta cheese, Parmesan cheese, and a few seasonings. They come together in just a few minutes, and rolling the roulades is a fun way to begin a home-cooked meal.
Side: Skillet Cooked Cornbread
No real Southern meal is complete without a side of cornbread. While cornbread purists may do a double-take at some of the ingredients of Confetti Cornbread, the jalapenos, pimentos, green chiles, and cheese make for a savory addition to any home-cooked meal that will look just as good on the plate as it tastes.
Entrée: Southern-Style Oven-fried Chicken
Fried chicken is a staple of Southern cuisine, and baking it in the oven cuts down on calories without sacrificing flavor. Southern-Style Oven-fried Chicken comes together easily, using a “batter” made from crushed Ritz crackers and a few seasonings. It pairs perfectly with roasted vegetables and sweet potatoes.
Dessert: Banana Skillet Upside-down Cake
A cast-iron skillet is one of the most versatile cooking tools for any kitchen, and it can be just as great for desserts as it is for entrees. The Banana Skillet Upside-down Cake is a fantastic dessert for just about any time of year. While tropical fruit may not exactly scream fall, the colors of this beautiful dessert will undoubtedly look stunning on your autumn table cape. This dessert comes together with a package of your favorite banana bread or muffin mix, about four medium bananas, chopped walnuts, and shredded coconut. You can top it with caramel sauce, whipped cream, ice cream, or a berry compote for a dessert that’s as colorful as it is delicious.
Setting the perfect table is as much a science as it is an art. Having a great meal planned for your family is even more rewarding when you bring it all together with a perfectly crafted tablescape. Do you have a favorite setting and a favorite family meal to go along with it? Let us know! The McCoy Homes team is always eager to share recipes with our readers.