CULINARY GIFTS Whip up a basket for your favorite cook with locally made delights from local market vendors and shops. such as Mazzaro’s, Decosmo Italian Market, Fresh Market, Kalamazoo Olive Company, Savory Spice Shop, The Spice & Tea Exchange Treasure Island, Kahwa Coffee, Bandit Coffee, Sunshine Health Food Store, House of Sweets, William Dean Chocolates, CocoAddiction, Salty Sisters Gourmet Popcorn, Vine & Grind, Bayou Market, and others. At Shopapalooza 11/24-25 in downtown St. Pete’s Vinoy Park, check out 15 Olives, Baked in the Burg, The Sunshine Pickle Company, True Honey Teas, The Licorice Guy, Sun Bear Specialty Coffee Roasters, Moonlit Macarons, Mama Mel’s Pet Food, Just Cause Chocolates, Florida Pure Sea Salt and others.
THANKSGIVING Leave the cooking to the experts and dine out at the Don CeSar, Sirata Beach Resort, Starlight Dinner Cruise, Sea Dog Brewing Co. (serving noon-7pm), Salt Rock Grill, Island Grille & Raw Bar, Clear Sky on Park, Columbia Restaurant, and others. TradeWinds Island Resorts will be offering their annual Thanksgiving Buffet in the lobby of the Island Grand from 11am-3pm on Thanksgiving Day. Cost is $65 for adults, $55 for seniors and $25 for kids ages 5-12. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 727-363-2290. Thanksgiving dinner specials will also be offered in RumFish Grill at RumFish Beach Resort and Palm Court Italian Grill at the Island Grand.
SPECTACULAR SIDES Family traditions start with Thanksgiving side dishes. Mom served our faves, sweet potato casserole with tiny marshmallow, cream cheese/green olive dip, potatoes au gratin and creamed spinach but we nixed the brussels sprouts and oysters in the stuffing. We’re spicing up our mashed potatoes this year with sour cream, horseradish and chopped fresh chives, and suggest you serve Sylvia’s EZ Green Beans with Cream Cheese.
Ingredients Two 14.5 oz. cans green beans, 2 TB butter, 2 TB softened cream cheese, salt and cracked black pepper to taste. Instructions Drain most of the water from green beans and add beans to a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 10 minutes. Add butter and cream cheese to the saucepan with green beans. Stir until melted and well incorporated, 3 to 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.