Thanksgiving is fast approaching, and many people are looking for an alternative to the traditional turkey. For those wanting to change things up this year, consider Cajun seafood for a different Thanksgiving celebration. By serving up Cajun takeout, hosts can provide their guests with multiple entrée options so there is something to please everyone at the table.
Ordering Ahead Offers the Gift of Time with Family
Some experts estimate that the average American can spend up to seven hours in the kitchen preparing a Thanksgiving meal that is gone in just under an hour or so. This is an enormous amount of work for little return – and it takes the chef away from spending time with family and friends.
Whether it is generations of your family, neighbors, or friends that are gathered around your Thanksgiving table, the goal of the day is to be able to spend time with those you love. However, if you are in the kitchen for seven hours preparing the meal (and this does not include clean up), unless your guests plan to stay the entire day at your home, you will likely miss out on spending much quality time with them.
Fortunately, by serving Cajun seafood takeout for Thanksgiving, you can delegate the hours of cooking to someone else and simply pick up your order the day before. The only work you really have to put in will be placing your order online, picking up the food, and simply reheating it on Thanksgiving.
A Tale of Two Thanksgiving Dinner Tables
Let us spin a tale of two Thanksgiving dinner tables and you can choose the one that most closely matches the vibe of your holiday get together.
- The Tale of the Fancy Table
Just because you are opting for takeout Cajun seafood for Thanksgiving does not mean that anyone has to know you didn’t make it yourself, if you choose not to tell.
Start by setting the dining table with a festive tablecloth with fall aesthetics, and don’t forget to iron it for an elegant finish. Then set the table with your finest holiday China with cloth napkins and napkin holders on top. Pull out the fancy silverware and place it accordingly. Be sure to add a little flair to the table with a fall centerpiece that consists of some pumpkins and candles.
If you would rather your guests think that you made Thanksgiving dinner yourself, consider replating the entrees and sides you picked up and throwing away the to-go packaging. Add a few serving utensils and you are ready to serve a delicious meal without any stress.
- The Tale of the Cajun Table
Apart from the food, some folks say the most integral ingredient for a seafood boil is the Cajun Table.
Where the fancy table is fine dining and China, the Cajun table is typically no frills with that unique Cajun authenticity. This may be spreading brown butcher paper or newspapers over the table and dumping the main entrees and some of the sides directly on top. When served like this, plates and silverware are not even necessary, although some guests may still prefer it. When hosts keep the table simple, it makes serving dinner easy and makes clean up a snap.
If you choose not to let your guests know you ordered out, simply replate the necessary side dishes and put the rest directly on the table. Everyone will be so busy digging in, no one will probably even think to ask if you made the meal or not.
No matter which table décor you choose, keep the focus on your loved ones and the Thanksgiving celebration, and you and your guests will be set to have a wonderful time together.
Watching Your Waistline at Thanksgiving with Omega-3s
The one thing no one wants to be counting on Thanksgiving is calories, but boiled Cajun seafood offers a healthier option than the traditional gravy and fat laden foods that are often served up with turkey.
Here are some of the health bonuses of enjoying boiled seafood for Thanksgiving:
- It offers a relatively high count of protein that typically come without the saturated fats of more traditional meats
- It provides omega-3 fatty acids that are considered to be good for the brain as well as potentially protect against heart disease
- It contains important nutrients and minerals such as zinc, Vitamin D, and Vitamins B6 and B12 that are essential to the body
An additional bonus is that seafood does not come with the tryptophan that usually puts everyone to sleep right after they finish up a big Thanksgiving lunch or dinner.
For a healthier Cajun meal on Thanksgiving, stick to boiled sides like red potatoes, corn on the cob, and rice. A nice side salad can also be a way of getting in some extra vegetables.
On the other hand, be sure to include some fried options and additional, savory sides for those that prefer that type of Cajun seafood. If you have people at the table that don’t care for seafood, order from a Cajun seafood restaurant that also serves chicken. This is the best way to ensure that everyone at the table enjoys the meal and the memories made.
To make the holiday easy on yourself and delicious for your family and friends, consider serving Cajun seafood for a different Thanksgiving celebration. No one is counting how many hours you spend in the kitchen to prepare a meal. So why put in the time when we can do it for you and gift you precious time with those you love? Get ahead of the game and place your order today!