Meet the JaMily: Our Virtual Thanksgiving Potluck

Thanksgiving is a combination of a few favorite F words: fun, flavor, friends and food! Especially food—it IS Thanksgiving. Meet some of the JaMily—your peeps behind the scenes, as we bring you our virtual potluck Thanksgiving.

We’re talking Turkey—any way you want it.

1.  For a kitchen classicist—the definitive guide to cooking a classic turkey.

2.  Is there anything more American than deep-fried turkey? Get out the grease and get to it with this deep fry guide.

3.  Are you team “stuffing inside” or “stuffing outside”? We’re going stuffed turkey for the win.

4.  If you’re opting for meatless, go all-in on a vegan Tofurkey with all the fixings.

5.  Skip the turkey and go for a classic steak — we know you’re craving the JaM Cab!

Side-Dishing From The JaMily

» Sarah, Marketing: Go Nuts for Spicy, Salty and Sweet, paired with Sugar Sweet White.

Pre-dinner nibbling is my favorite time at Thanksgiving. I have my first glass of wine in my hand while greeting friends and family. This spicy, salty and sweet pecan recipe will fill bowls throughout my house—and they’re always empty and the end of the day. An extra-icy glass of Sugar Sweet White goes perfectly with the spicy, salty, candied nuts, plus the refreshingly-light taste and lower alcohol of Sugar is a great start to our celebration of thanks.

Scoop The Dish: www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/sweet-spicy-candied-pecans

» Mackenzie, Trade: Crab Stuffed Mushrooms, paired with Butter Chardonnay.

My family is very app heavy when it comes to the holidays and even though we have a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with all the fixings, we spend the day grazing on apps that we make so we don’t get too full on a large meal earlier in the day. There is always an assortment of bites in and out of the oven to snack on and these crab stuffed mushrooms are the star of the show every year!

Scoop The Dish: www.allrecipes.com/recipe/12751/crab-stuffed-mushrooms

» Ashley, Media Relations: Creamy, Dreamy Artichoke Dip, paired with Butter Chardonnay.

We typically start our Thanksgiving festivities just after noon but don’t eat until 6pm. This is my favorite snack to help tide me over until dinner. What’s even better: my sister makes it… (food tastes so much better when someone else makes it!). It’s so creamy and rich, just like my favorite wine, Butter Chardonnay. 

Scoop The Dish: www.wonkywonderful.com/artichoke-roasted-garlic-dip

» Trevor, Digital Comms: Nana's Orange Salad, paired with Toast Sparkling.

We're using the word "salad" loosely here, folks, so don't get your hopes up if you're looking for something green and leafy. My Nana has been making this creamy, fruit-salad recipe for every holiday meal as long as I've been alive, and frankly, I'll take a bowl of this over a slice of pumpkin pie, any day. When I make it for my kids, I've also been adventurous and added shredded coconut and some sliced maraschino cherries for more "goodies."

Scoop The Dish: www.thecraftingchicks.com/orange-jello-salad-cottage-cheese

» Carina “Coco”, Wine & Music Studio: Sweet Potatoes, paired with Butter Chardonnay.

The last few years my family has opted for restaurants for Thanksgiving Dinner, but when we used to host, this was the one side dish I always looked forward to. Something about the savory sweetness and the burnt marshmallows on top makes me feel the season even more. I was a very picky eater growing up but this dish always pleased. Now when I get a chance for Friendsgiving I’ll make this and share it with friends.

Family Recipe: Peel Sweet Potatoes. Cut up into little chunks and boil. When you can stick a fork through them pour out the water. Add butter and salt then mash them up. Put in a bowl and add small marshmallows to the top. Bake until marshmallows melt and brown, then serve.

» Alyse, Social Media: Spinach Artichoke “Casserole”, and Toast Sparkling while you cook.

Our mornings typically begin with cooking and Toast-mosa’s (Toast Sparkling and our pick of fresh juice). The dish I always serve up is my Grandma Irene’s spinach artichoke “casserole”. It’s like a deconstructed artichoke dip, transformed into a "healthier" side dish so you can eat more of it!

Family Recipe: cooked & chopped spinach salted and peppered to taste (tip: grab some bags from the frozen food aisle. Easy!). Quartered & marinated artichoke hearts. Cream Cheese. Seasoned Croutons. ½ stick of butter (melted). Instructions: Layer casserole pan with thick layer of cooked spinach (about 1 to 1 ½ inch). Layer of cream cheese on top of spinach. Layer of artichoke hearts over the cream cheese. Layer of seasoned croutons on top. Drizzle the melted butter all over (this makes the croutons slightly moist so they don’t burn while baking). Bake at 350 degrees until cream cheese is melted, about 45 mins. Enjoy!

» Greg, Media Production: Roasted brussels sprouts, paired with JaM Cabernet.

I love adding something bright green to the Thanksgiving table and November is peak season for brussels sprouts!  In a busy Thanksgiving kitchen where every surface is occupied, it’s useful to have a side dish that can be cooked in a variety of ways: steam in the microwave, roast in the oven, steam or sear on the cooktop, etc.  I like to briefly steam mine first and then transfer to the oven to broil and crisp. You can’t go wrong!  

Scoop The Dish: www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/roasted-brussels-sprouts-with-garlic-and-pancetta-104566

Whatever way you dish, it’s bound to be de-lish. At JaM Cellars we’re giving thanks for great company, the best wine, and another year we get to spend with YOU at your table!

Gratefully yours,

JaM Cellars

Nov 18, 2020 at 12:17 AM Permalink

#Thankful For Great JaMs 🎶

The perfect ratio of a little nostalgia, a touch of modern, and plenty of groovin’ to get your mood right for your Thanksgiving Day. Pour a glass and press play.

Save the full JaM Cellars’ Winesgiving 2020 playlist, on Spotify!

Nov 16, 2020 at 1:51 AM Permalink

Your Guide To A JaMming 2020 Winesgiving

We’re all in for 12 hours of non-stop Winesgiving this year…Eat Turkey. Drink Butter. Repeat!

• 8am: In prep for a full day of food, fun, and Butter Chardonnay—lace up those sneakers and hit the Turkey Trot 5K! Take the #BigFootTurkeyTrot challenge to be social-distance friendly, while keeping that competitive spirit up and running! …or hit snooze and enjoy an extra hour in bed!

• 9am: Enjoy the quiet before the storm with a celebratory Toast-mosa in the shower (yes, you do need one of these). Cue up the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade on TV and roll up your sleeves to prepare for your kitchen frenzy!

• 10am: As guests arrive, keep everyone out from under your apron with an activity station that has one of these 8 games that everyone can enjoy. Cue up these cute conversation cards, or give everyone the Gobble-Gobble-Giggles when the kids DIY their own Thanksgiving Joke Teller. Don’t forget to have your Butter chilled and ready to serve.

• 10:30am: Pop your turkey in the oven and take a breather (and a glass of Butter… you’ve earned it!)

• 12pm: Now you’re in the groove…turn up the tunes with our Winesgiving playlist on JaM Cellars Spotify. Loosen up everyone’s dancing shoes with some new Tik Tok moves and realize you do have moves like Jagger.

• 1pm: Zoom out-of-town guests while everything is bubbling and baking in the oven. Take a “family photo” of everyone “cheers-ing” onscreen with their JaM Cellars wine of choice. Thank your Mom for sending the case of wine that you didn’t know how much you needed.

• 2:30pm: Check the turkey using your Turkey Roasting Guide. No, it’s still not ready. Refill your Butter and splash a little into the pan. Your bird loves Butter too!

• 3:15pm: Mmm-mmm almost dinner time, keep everyone’s hunger at bay with a few super easy-peasy Thanksgiving apps and the ButterCans you’ve left chilling in the cooler.

• 4pm: Dinner is served…al fresco! Outdoor entertaining is IN for the 2020 season so put your guests on table-setting duty and enjoy a little dinner outdoors on your new patio set-up to keep that air flowing. Ring your dinner gong and gather ‘round. You made it to the finish line and everyone is ready to dig in.

• 6pm: Relax because everyone who didn’t cook is now doing the dishes. Bring out the pie and more Butter to enjoy the delicious food coma and great conversation.

• 8pm: End the night with a family movie night that you can share with anyone near or far. Host a Virtual Watch Party on your platform of choice and set up a Disney+ Watch Group for the kids with any of the best movies to watch right now.

And just like that, another year of food, wine, and gratitude is under our belt—even in 2020! Save some leftovers for a sandwich later and enjoy the smooth ride into the holidays (officially). Don’t forget to restock your stash of Butter!

Nov 10, 2020 at 1:46 AM Permalink