Looking for an excuse to dust off the Jell-O mold and silver platters? We’ve combed the Gourmet archives to inspire this ’70s-themed Thanksgiving celebration. Put on your best smocked hostess dress, pick a few records to put on rotation for the night, and make sure you have plenty of butter in the fridge. (Get all of our Thanksgiving recipes and ideas at the link.)
Dainty snacks
To start the party, keep it light and simple with some chilled radishes with butter curls (served into your most ornate glass candy bowl). You can make the butter curls ahead of time and stick them in the fridge or freezer to keep their shape. Want to set out some mixed nuts or a festive punch? We’re not going to stop you!
A well-accessorized turkey
If you’re going to roast a golden-brown, buttery turkey, why not give it some great accessories, like this robust New England stuffing (flavored with plenty of onion, celery, parsley, and sage), a sherry-and-cream-fortified gravy, and a garland of cranberries as a garnish?
Potato balls and jelly molds
It wouldn’t be a ‘70s Thanksgiving menu without a jiggling, ornate tower of gelatin and fruit, so we’re heartily encouraging you to give up the store-bought cranberry sauce this year for the sake of a jewel-like cranberry and rosé jelly. You can make it a couple days before serving, which will leave plenty of time for scooping your potatoes with a melon baller, and throwing together a quick batch of buttered green beans.
Spike your sweets
For dessert, we have two options that do not mess around with the holiday flavors (or the booze)—a custardy eggnog pie showered with shaved chocolate, and an apple cranberry tart that’s studded with rum-soaked raisins and lemon zest.
