2025 Thanksgiving Special

Celebrating Thanksgiving with Turducken and Culinary Adventures

Happy Thanksgiving! Join hosts Trygve Olsen and Dave Meyer in a unique exploration of Thanksgiving traditions, memorable family moments, and culinary challenges in this special episode recounted from their podcast conversation.

Winning Thanksgiving: Credit Cards and Culinary Memories

Thanksgiving is not only about gratitude but also about winning hearts with flavors and memories. Host Trygve Olsen shares how credit cards have made Thanksgiving more accessible, allowing him to recreate family traditions in new, exciting ways. From visiting great Aunt Mary's house as a child to innovatively embracing his culinary conquest of the holiday, Trygve opens up about his journey to perfecting the ultimate Thanksgiving dish: the Turducken.

Sponsor Spotlight: Fractional Tactical

Thanksgiving wouldn't be complete without expressing gratitude to those who make things easier. This year, our sponsors are Fractional Tactical, a partner for marketing solutions tailored to meet your business goals. With strategy and results at the forefront, they ensure everyone looks like a rockstar this holiday season.

Introducing Our Special Guest: Lisa Futterman

This episode's special guest is Lisa Futterman, a renowned food, travel, and beverage writer based in Chicago. With contributions to prestigious publications such as Food and Wine and National Geographic Travel, Lisa brings a unique perspective into the Thanksgiving mix. Her expertise delves into the fascinating backstory of the culinary phenomenon known as the Turducken.

Unraveling the Mystery of Turducken

A dish combining the flavors of turkey, duck, and chicken, Turducken is a star of the Thanksgiving table. But how did this Cajun creation come to be? Lisa explains the intricate process of crafting this bird inside a bird inside another bird. The technique demands skillful butchery, precise seasoning, and careful cooking to avoid culinary disasters while transforming the center of the table into a feast of flavors.

Pro Tips for Thanksgiving Cooking

Both Trygve and Lisa share their unique approaches to preparing and serving a Turducken, from slow-smoking the large meal in a high-tech smoker to ensuring that all family members have something to enjoy without dietary mishaps. For those looking for a dramatic culinary presentation, they explore other interesting Thanksgiving traditions like deep-fried turkey, piecaken, and more.

Traditions and Themes: Making Thanksgiving Your Own

Every family has its unique Thanksgiving traditions. Lisa encourages an adventurous spirit through themed Thanksgiving dinners such as Chinese Thanksgiving, integrating diverse cuisines into this American holiday. Whether it's a themed meal or a dish that holds sentimental value, Thanksgiving is about embracing old and new traditions alike.

Family, Food, and the Joy of Thanksgiving

As family members gather and share meals, the beauty of Thanksgiving shines through in the diversity of tastes and the shared memories around the table. Lisa, Trygve, and Dave reflect on the significance of embracing family recipes while welcoming fresh ideas to make the day extra special. Whether you're a traditionalist at heart or eager to try something new, Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate togetherness.

Closing Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, Trygve, Dave, and Lisa extend their gratitude to their listeners and the culinary legends who inspire them. They remind everyone to treasure their unique Thanksgiving traditions and encourage new adventures in the kitchen, always leaving room for the most important part of any Thanksgiving gathering: a nap.

Bon Appetit!

Connect with Lisa:

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Show Notes:

00:00 Introduction and Thanksgiving Memories
01:37 Sponsor Message: Fractional Tactical
02:29 Guest Introduction: Lisa Futterman
03:48 The Art of Making Turducken
06:43 Challenges and Techniques in Cooking Turducken
15:52 Thanksgiving Traditions and Cooking Tips
19:44 Creative Thanksgiving Themes and Dishes
27:30 Thanksgiving Etiquette and Final Thought