Thanksgiving. It’s that time of the year again where we give our thanks to those we care about. Friends, family, and yes, even anime. Truly, without anime in our lives, we would’ve never discovered so many delicious recipes. Everything from Studio Ghibli to KyoAni showed us just how amazing food can be, even if you’re a 3-D human, living an ordinary life. Now, we’ll be going over some dishes from various anime that’ll turn your Thanksgiving meal into a sensational delight. So, sit back, relax, and start cooking.
Thanksgiving Favorite: Baked Sweet Potatoes;
Baked Sweet Potatoes, no foil. Image provided by chopstickchronicles.com
This is a sort of a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment. Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away (2002) had just one dish that appeared in a scene where it stuck out to me. Baked Sweet Potatoes. While No-Face is being served, one waiter had a platter of this delectable treat at the ready. So, naturally, I wanted to share this with all of you.
This, of course, is a crowd pleaser. Not only do baked sweet potatoes make a delicious appetizer, but also serve as a sweet treat for those who prefer light meals. Simply explained, Baked Sweet Potatoes are a delight in Japan, and the world over. Popping them into the oven at a welcoming temperature can be done one of two ways:
- 325 F- Allowing them to cook for 70-90 minutes produces a sweet flavor, and soft texture.
- 375 F- Cook for 50-65 minutes for buttery texture, and caramelized coating.
- On a side note, it’s solely up to you if you prefer them wrapped in foil or not.
Baked Sweet Potatoes can always be served before or during your feast. Either way, if your a potato lover, this is definitely the ideal meal.
Main Dish; Tomato Sukiyaki:
Tomato Sukiyaki from Yuru (Laid Back) Camp. Image provided by nosanime.tumblr.com
Pulling a good recipe from an old article of mine, we take a look back at Laid Back Camp’s Tomato Sukiyaki. Now, while this type of meal is an outdoor preference, who says it can’t be enjoyed by you and your loved ones? As far as the recipe is concerned, we’ll keep it simple:
- 2 wedged tomatoes and onions.
- 4cm of garlic clove and basil.
- 300g of beef.
- 1.5 tbsp. of sugar.
- Eggs (number optional).
- 100ml of soy sauce and sake (light wine).
- 2 tbsp. of olive oil. And this is just the ingredients.
For cooking, all that’s needed is to for the olive oil and garlic to be set into the pot to a light fragrance. Sauté the onions for 3 minutes, and fry the tomatoes until cooked evenly. Next, be sure to add the sugar, soy sauce, and sake evenly for equal distribution of flavor. Once applied, place a cover over the pot and set to simmer for 5 minutes. Once finished, add the cooked beef, and garnish with basil.
With this completed, you’ll have a well set meal fit for the entire family.
Breakfast on Thanksgiving? How about Calcifer’s:
Bacon and egg breakfast, with sourdough bread. Image provided by the smartlocal.com
Thanksgiving doesn’t always have to be celebrated in the evening. It can also be your breakfast. And, who can forget that mouth-watering platter from Howl’s Moving Castle (2005). This derives from the breakfast scene where Calcifer, the flame that keeps the castle running, helps cook a filling breakfast for the castle’s residents. The recipe simply calls for eggs, bacon, tomatoes and sourdough bread. Additional ingredients include one large onion, a tsp. of thyme and salt, and one tbsp. of red wine vinegar.
Be sure to fry the eggs and bacon on low heat separately, until they’re set to a preferred doneness. Secondly, fry the tomatoes, onion, thyme, and vinegar on medium heat for roughly one minute. Once completed, serve together with the eggs, bacon, and sourdough bread. This type of meal serves up to three people, which makes this an ideal breakfast for the holidays.
A Meal From 5 Dreamers:
One platter of Turkey/ Chicken Karaage. Image provided by yumpenguinsnacks.wordpress.com
Tired of the same old bird being cooked the same way? Annoyed with the long wait period until it’s ready? Don’t worry, because we got you covered. Thanks to the anime, Shirobako, you can turn that ordinary turkey into Turkey Karaage.
This fine dish requires 1 Ib of Turkey Breast, salt and pepper, 2 tbsp. of sake (light wine), 2 tsp. of minced ginger, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 cup of sugar and cornstarch, and canola oil for frying.
All that’s required is to simply mix the Turkey pieces, sake, sugar, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic into a large mixing bowl. Be sure to mix the ingredients well in order to spread the flavor evenly. After that, let it all marinate in the fridge for 15 minutes. Once that’s done, add egg for structure, and corn starch for flavor.
Finally, apply canola oil to a pan at 340 F. Place the turkey pieces in the pan, and cook until golden brown. This should take at least 5-7 minutes for each piece. Turkey Karaage is perfect for those heavy snackers, or even as a full meal.
Thanksgiving truly is a fulfilling time of year: Whether it’s stuffing our faces, or even sharing good meals with family and loved ones. Here’s to an amazing Thanksgiving to all, and may your stomachs be full tomorrow with satisfaction!
If you would like to share your favorite Thanksgiving recipes, or food seen on your favorite anime, be sure to leave a comment below. Also, stop on by our Facebook Page and say hello! We’d love to hear from you. As always, Stay Geeky!
