This Thursday is Thanksgiving Day and a day to give thanks, which is sometimes difficult with the cost of groceries!
Turkey prices are higher due to the new outbreak of Asian influenza, which has killed more than 45 million birds since the beginning of the year. That translates to 20% fewer turkeys available. This does not help at all with inflation at 7.7% and food at home costs up 12.4% since November 2021. This compares to restaurants and take-outs, which rose 8.6%, “leading Wells Fargo agricultural economists to suggest that this may be the year to dine out for Thanksgiving.”
Compared to the last few years, the price of fresh chilled turkeys, my favorite and available only at Thanksgiving, has doubled, from $1.29 to $2.77. I am still going to buy a fresh turkey because I think the flavor cannot be beat and I never know how long the frozen turkeys have been that way. There is nothing worse than spending all the time roasting a turkey only to find that the taste is compromised and is freezer-burned.
Some restaurants in Hilo open for Thanksgiving include:
Hilo Bay Cafe will be closed on Thursday, but will be offering a take away meal that can be reheated on Thanksgiving.
Turkey Dinner $200 (Serves 4-6): Eggplant-Parmesan custard; Whole Turkey with pan gravy; Mushroom-ginger stuffing; Cranberry-lilikoi sauce; Autumn salad; Harvest vegetable medley and Yuzu-apple crisp.
Vegetarian Dinner $140 (Serves 4-6): Stuffed delicata squash substituted for turkey
Beverage specials: Rye apple smash cocktail for two is $24, Domaine dupeuble beaujolais nouveau is $45 and Lokelani sparkling rose is $54.
Pond’s will have a Thanksgiving meal but when I called they had not put together a menu and pricing yet. Phone number is 808-934-7663.
WSW Steakhouse is sold out on Thanksgiving Day.
Hula Hula’s at the Grand Naniloa Hotel will have a slow roasted turkey meal with all the fixings for $42 per person. Phone number is 808-932-4545.
Jackie Rey’s Thanksgiving meal with roast turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, and green beans will be $39 per person. Call them at 808-961-2572.
Cafe Pesto — I was unable to get anyone to answer the phone. Call 808-969-6640 for reservations.
Aloha Mondays is offering a pre-made Thanksgiving meal. Maple Butter Roasted Vegetable Salad with Candied Walnuts and Creamy Gorgonzola Dressing; Kalua Turkey in Steamed Bao Buns; Lehua Honey and Kaumana Nutmeg Glazed Ham; Seared Salmon of Papillote with Kau Oranges, Garden Herbs &Roasted Garlic Butter; Cranberry &Goat Cheese Stuffing; Bacon Broiled Brussel Sprouts &Potatoes and Coconut ‘Uala Mash. Meals are $52 per person, not including tax. Also available is an 8-inch Pumpkin Custard Pie with Kaumana Nutmeg Whipped Cream for $20 and ‘Uala Apple Cinnamon Rolls (4) for $10.
Pick up is 1-4 p.m. on Wednesday, with a 10-person minimum. Email geana@alohamondays.com or call/text: 808-443-4481.
Don’s Grill will be closed on Thanksgiving Day but will be offering turkey plate specials on Wednesday. Call 808-935-9099.
Seaside Restaurant will be closed this week.
Coconut Grill will have Thanksgiving plates but prices were not confirmed yet. Call for reservations at 808-961-3330.
White Guava Cafe will be open from 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day for lunch. An array of Thanksgiving items such as roast turkey, baked glazed ham, stuffing, housemade gravy, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, housemade cranberry sauce and salad bar will be on a buffet line, as well as being able to choose from the menu, and pecan or pumpkin pies are available for $20. Call for reservations at 808-731-5045.
If you called the Hawaii Community College for a Thanksgiving plate, pumpkin pie or rolls, pick up from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Wednesday. Please bring a box or bags.
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Did you know?
There are over 200 cranberries in one can of cranberry sauce?
70 million cans of cranberry sauce are produced by Ocean Spray each year?
5 million gallons of cranberry sauce is consumed by Americans during the holiday season each year?
76% of Americans prefer to buy a can of cranberry sauce than make it?
I prefer to make my own cranberry sauce. Here is a simple recipe from the recent Cuisine at Home magazine for cranberry-cherry sauce, and leftovers make a great add-on to a turkey sandwich!
Cranberry- Cherry Sauce
Makes 12 servings
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup dried tart cherries
1/4 cup lime juice
2 tablespoons chopped crystallized ginger
Pinch of salt
1 (12 ounce) bag fresh cranberries
Boil sugar, water, cherries, lime juice, ginger and salt in a saucepan until sugar dissolves. Add cranberries, simmer until the berries burst and sauce thickens, about 10 minutes.
Chill sauce for 2 hours before serving.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Email Audrey Wilson at audreywilson808@gmail.com.