Q: Instead of a Thanksgiving turkey and all the sides that accompany the turkey, my family (through my own suggestion) is going to do a fish fry.
However, I am having trouble developing a menu. There are obvious choices but I wanted some opinions.
Sent by Lynn
Editor: Lynn, well that sounds like so much fun! I really like the sides seen in Martha's fish fry (pictured above): looks like potato wedges and slaw. You could do sweet potato wedges in a nod to Thanksgiving traditions, and perhaps Emily's lemony green beans?
• Fish Fry at Martha Stewart
Related: What Should I Cook for a Smaller Thanksgiving Dinner?
(Image: Martha Stewart)
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Fish fries are not fish fries without hush puppies and lemonade :)
Curry sauce on the side for dipping would be amazing.
Instead of just potatoes, how 'bout some roasting some other root veggies. Offer orange, lemon and lime wedges to squeeze on the fish, get some color on the table. In addition to a slaw or two, I'd include corn, peppers, greens and some pickled goodies.
My father in law does a monthly fish fry with lots of Southern comfort foods. Collards cooked with smoked turkey, corn bread, black eyed peas and sweet potato pie. What a fun Thanksgiving idea!
I thought this sounds really fun, actually!
Having done/ been to zillions of fish frys, Id agree with epiffani. Just think along the lines of good comfort southern food- greens (I think turnip tastes better than collards personally), mac and cheese, black eyed peas, fried okra, fried pickles (hey, you got the oil going already!)
You could also do typical shrimp boil sides (corn, potatoes, garlic, sausage, etc) and dump it all on a big spread of newspaper for everyone to get their hands dirty (or bowls if you're trying to do a sit down dinner!)
Make some good tartar sauce and dipping sauces and sounds like a blast! Skip wine and go for beer for all the adults!
I like the roasted fall veggies idea -- just a nod to the holiday, while still totally casual and fun. Along the same lines, some kind of cranberry salad/slaw might provide a welcome jolt of acidity in there.
Kind of at a loss for desert ideas...guess some icebox pies?
Hush Puppy dressing, of course! After you fry them, follow a standard cornbread dressing recipe with lots of vegetables. I usually do a slaw of celeriac and apple in a vinaigrette, and roasted cauliflower with lemon and mustard for Thanksgiving anyway - both should work well here.
I'm liking the pie suggestions - I think old-fashioned southern pies like sweet potato and lemon cheese can't be beat!
It could be fun to reinterpret standard thanksgiving fare; hush puppies, yam/sweet potato fries, raw shredded root veg slaw, cranberry chutney, some sort of pumpkin or pecan bar with a Graham cracker crust. Making it your own but with a nod to tradition.
I can't believe no one has mentioned malt vinegar! I know it's super British, but it's SO GOOD with potatoes.