So much great food and serveware, so little room on the table. Here are some local items that will make your Thanksgiving table a success.
Green Bean Casserole Queen: Yes, a mean green bean casserole queen. Every family seems to have one. And you best not try to dethrone her (or him) and suggest “something more citrusy or bacon-y.” Bow down to the creator of that crispy onion topping, and offer this royal treatment to her dish that kind of rules. $43.75, Bon Appetit Gift & Card, 466 Larkfield Center, Santa Rosa, 707-579-8487, facebook.com/BonAppetitGifts (courtesy photo)
Oh, great gravy! At Thanksgiving, your rich, brothy, caramelized sauce isn’t “just gravy.” It’s the star of the show. The maker of the mashed potatoes. The moisturizer of the meat. The summation of the chef’s efforts deserves good presentation and good press with this playful gravy boat. $37.50, Bon Appetit Gift & Card, 466 Larkfield Center, Santa Rosa, 707-579-8487, facebook.com/BonAppetitGifts (courtesy photo)
Willie Bird: Fresh flavor is what you’ll get with this never-frozen Willie Bird turkey. And no one has improved on the concept of fresh. These free-range birds have grazed in the hills of Santa Rosa and Petaluma. Advance orders are recommended as supplies do run out. Molsberry Market, 522 Larkfield Center, Santa Rosa, 707-546-5041, molsberrymarket.com (courtesy photo)
Graze with goat cheese: No problem that the turkey is taking way longer than expected to cook. Your guests can pass the time savoring this jalapeno chevre by Skyhill Farms. Put some sour cherry jam on top for a bright contrast to the creamy goat cheese. $6.99, Molsbery Market, 522 Larkfield Center, Santa Rosa, 707-546-5041, molsberrymarket.com (courtesy photo)
Think outside the sauce: Cranberries are more than just a relish for turkey, and this Cranberry balsamic has uses from salad all the way to ice cream. Put a splash or two in champagne and you've got a colorful, flavorful signature drink for the holidays. Don't forget the fresh fruit garnish. $24 (500 ml bottle) $14 (250 ml bottle), The Olive Press, 24724 Arnold Dr, Sonoma, 707-939-8900, theolivepress.com. (courtesy photo)
Sumptuous sauces: Bacon Pepper Jam... poured over cheese. Blue Cheese Stuffed Olive tapenade for dipping pita bread. Smokey onion mustard for your spicy bratwurst pieces. Appetizers are as easy as they are tasty here. Oh, and Sriracha Horseradish sauce! $24 (for three), Sonoma Cheese Factory, 2 Spain St., Sonoma 707-996-1931, sonomacheesefactory.com
Wall to table: Of course your harvest decor isn't only for your table, but these sweetly sized 9"x 9" prints of paintings by Darren Gygill, can be put in easels and used as part of a centerpiece. Available in a variety of prints, these designs are beautiful alone or grouped with others. $40, H Frank, 28 W Spain St., Sonoma, 707-938-5800, facebook.com/HFrankSonoma (courtesy photo)
Seasoning in season: These sweet little salt and pepper pumpkins sit together in a wagon reminiscent of days at the pumpkin patch. $14, Fat Pilgrim, 20820 Broadway, Sonoma, 707-721-1287, fatpilgrim.com (courtesy photo)
Bottle light: Make decorative lanterns out of your empty wine bottles. This string of LED lights attaches to a brushed metal wine stopper. With an on/off button and timer, this string contains 15 warm lights. (1 AA battery needed but not included.) $12.99, Sign of the Bear Kitchenware, 435 1st St. West, Sonoma, 707- 996-3722, facebook.com (courtesy photo)
So much great food and serveware, so little room on the table. Click through the gallery above for a few suggestions to inspire your menu and manner of serving. All are available at beloved local businesses in Sonoma County, many of which might appreciate the patronage following the loss of business during the North Bay Fires.
