Your Ultimate Last Minute Guide to DIY Thanksgiving at Home
If you've browsed the Thanksgiving events but your insatiable need for turkey has yet to be filled, look no further as below we've compiled everything you need to know about sourcing your own Thanksgiving feast, including where to buy ingredients and some tips on how to cook everything once your trolley's full. First, where's your best bet to pick up a big bird and pies:
Turkey
Schindler’s Food Center
This German food store or more like a butcher has a wide selection of meats including ham, German sausages, bread, cheeses, and snacks. They will have frozen turkey available that starts at RMB 60-70kg. This favorite go-to place is usually sold out therefore it’s best to call and put in your order sooner. Email schindler.gfc@163.com or call 6591 9370.
Foreign Supermarkets
April Gourmet, Jenny Lou’s, Jenny Wangs, and DDs (Near Beijing Riviera and Pinnacle Avenue in Shunyi) will all have frozen turkey available at their various branches. The starting rate for most of these are RMB 65/kg at any of the stores. You will get most of the things you will need to make a complete homemade dinner such as pumpkin spice, cranberries, gravy, and stuffing ingredients.
Sanyuanli Market
The meats section will have a wide range of turkey available and if you have a contact it’s best to have them delivery at your house. Price will change dramatic from store to store but most will start from RMB 50/kg. The stores on your way to the meat section, one can get a hold of the basic ingredients such as gravy, stuffing, cranberries (canned or not), pumpkins, pumpkin spice.
Boucherie Michel
This French butchers is one of Beijing’s longstanding provider of meats and are stocked with bigger (22kg-plus) turkeys. Prices usually start at RMB 70/kg. You can also buy quality beef, veal, lamb, cheese, sausages, and much more at their Xingfucun location. Place your order by emailing boucheriemichel@hotmail.com or call 6417 0489.
Pies, Pies, Pies …
Thanksgiving can’t be Thanksgiving without a sweet side. Here are four options to try and get your ready-made or made-to-order pumpkin pie:
Pantry’s Best
This bakery has two stores, one near Ditan Park and the other at Indigo Mall. People can purchase using their online store or Taobao (for whenever the craving hits). They have an assortment of desserts and have a pumpkin pie that will cater to mouths of six people for RMB 199. Order at least 24 hours before to ensure you get your hands on this holiday favorite. Note: The website and Taobao are in Chinese only.
Two Guys and a Pie
This savory pies local favorite does tend to give the sweet tooth lovers a Pumpkin pie family size at RMB 120 that’s available during the holidays. Order at least 24-48 hours in advance.
Rager Pie
Well with the name Chunky Punkin’ and the description, “fresh baked Japanese pumpkins add a sweetness to this fall treat," the brains behind Rager Pie definitely make this sound like the must-have sweet treat this Thanksgiving. They come in two-inch (RMB 25) and nine-inch (RMB 99) varieties, the latter serving five-six people. Orders have to be made 24 hours in advance. This hutong favorite will be a go-to for many living in Dongcheng, therefore get your orders in way ahead of the crowd!
Kempi Deli
This German pastry delight will offer made-to-order pies during the week of Thanksgiving. They have pumpkin, pecan, white chocolate pecan pie to order from for RMB 198. The pies can serve up to 6people. Orders have to be made at least 24 hours before.
Vocab for the market
Before you head to the market, get familiar with some staple food words in Chinese:
- Turkey 火鸡 huǒjī
- Stuffing 内馅 nèixiàn
- Sweet potatoes 地瓜 dìguā
- Pumpkin 南瓜 nánguā
- Cranberry sauce 蔓越莓酱 mànyuèméijiàng
- Carrots 胡萝卜 húluóbo
- Cabbage 卷心菜 juǎnxīncài
- Green beans 豆角 dòujiǎo
- Potatoes 土豆 tǔdòu
- Chestnuts 板栗 bǎnlì
- Pecans 山核桃 shānhétao
- Marshmallows 棉花糖 miánhuātáng
Recipes
And some ideas on now how to make all that raw food presentable ...
World's Simplest Thanksgiving Turkey
We've also compiled some recipies on 6 Chinese fusion pumpkin recipies here.
And you're done!
Thanksgiving can be as extravagent or as simple as you want it to be. Ultimately, it's a time to be thankful for whatever stage you are in life, and the people that surround you. Sometimes, the less expensive, homemade holidays can be just if not more meaningful as the ones where you stuff yourself full of gourmet food.
This blog is an adapted version of a blog that originally appeared on our sister site beijingkids.
Photos: momlessmom.com, cathy.snydle.com, allrecipies.com, realsimple.com, recipieforliving.com, foodnetwork.com, wikihow.com, and delish.com, courtesy of East
