Ephemera

Our Menu Genie—Poof!—is Here to Save Thanksgiving

by:
November 19, 2016

Thinking Thanksgiving? So are we—and so is the practically magical, nearly life-changing Thanksgiving Menu Genie.

The Genie is here to plan the meal for you (well, almost). No more swimming through seas of mashed potato recipes that all look the same: The Genie has sorted through our favorite recipes, to show you the mash, the turkey, and the pie (plus the pickle brine mushrooms you never knew you needed and five more total left-fielders) that deserve a place on your table.

We've got sweet potatoes for oven conservationists looking to use the stovetop; we've got turkey for people who only want dark meat (and more for people who only want white); we've got desserts for the laid-back and the over-achieving; we've got drinks that'll get your guests sloshed and drinks for the little ones and teetotalers. We—or should we say, The Genie?—have got it all!

Everything you see can be yours. Photo by Bobbi Lin

Here's how it works:

  1. Answer a question based on the course, from centerpieces to casseroles to cocktails.
  2. For every answer, you'll get a whole crew of recipes to choose from, with blurb-ettes about what makes them special (flan, for example, is more jiggly than pumpkin pie—wubwubwub—if that's what you're into).
  3. Pick as many answers and recipes as you want (Thanksgiving is the time for a little bit—or a lot bit—of everything, is it not?).
  4. At the end, you'll be served presented with your personal menu—and it's not set in stone either. Add, swap, and nix as you see fit.
  5. Save that menu! Bookmark it, email it to yourself (or guests asking what to bring, or kids wondering if there'll be chocolate pudding this year), share it with friends on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest, shout it from the kitchen countertop, or print it out in a handy little packet you can take with you on your way towards a more seamless Thanksgiving meal.

Try the Genie yourself!

And hey, while you're in the process of making your Thanksgiving smoother, why not sign up for our handy checklists (and pep talks!), too?

Join The Conversation

Top Comment:
“Here's what I put in the text box of my menu, to include with the sharing feature: Having considered, researched and settled on my actual Thanksgiving menu about 10 days ago (which, interestingly, does not overlap at all with the Genie's choices), I used the tool to create a fun alternate menu - what I would serve “if,” or perhaps, it’s what I'll serve next year! This was so entertaining. And you know, I actually stumbled on quite a few appealing recipes that, in any event, I look forward to trying. Thank you, Food52, for putting this together. ;o)”
— AntoniaJames
Comment

If you've got your eye on any of the pretty friends-of-the-food in the top photo, we've got you covered there:

52 Days of Thanksgiving
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52 Days of Thanksgiving

Top-notch recipes, expert tips, and all the tools to pull off the year’s most memorable feast.

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See what other Food52 readers are saying.

  • gerald bish
    gerald bish
  • lilroseglow
    lilroseglow
  • Stephanie
    Stephanie
  • AntoniaJames
    AntoniaJames
  • mmurray
    mmurray
Food52 (we cook 52 weeks a year, get it?) is a food and home brand, here to help you eat thoughtfully and live joyfully.

11 Comments

gerald B. November 9, 2016
Where's the brussels sprouts recipe?
 
Sarah J. November 19, 2016
Which one are you looking for gerald?
 
lilroseglow November 5, 2016
That was fun! and helpful too. I'll probably need to go through that exercise a few times to get my menu finalized (so many choices and ideas), but what a great help Food52!
 
Stephanie November 3, 2016
I am absolutely loving this. Here's hoping the Food52 gurus can repurpose this for other Genie (or genius) menus...I'd love to play menu roulette for a dinner party with friends, dinner to impress the boss/future in-laws, make-ahead meals, picnic lunch, spring brunch, etc..etc..etc..
 
Sarah J. November 19, 2016
So glad to hear it! And yes, we do have some plans—stay tuned!! :)
 
AntoniaJames November 2, 2016
Everyone, don't forget to look at the "Print" feature - such a great, helpful idea! Thank you, Food52. ;o)
 
mmurray November 2, 2016
This was so much fun! and a reminder of the oldies but goodies (like Silver Palate Thanksgiving Potatoes". Always a classic no-fail. Great way to get into the Thanksgiving holiday spirit. And fun to read about all the guest cooks/chefs/authors putting together their own "Genie" menus"
 
AntoniaJames November 1, 2016
Well, that was so much fun. Here's what I put in the text box of my menu, to include with the sharing feature:

Having considered, researched and settled on my actual Thanksgiving menu about 10 days ago (which, interestingly, does not overlap at all with the Genie's choices), I used the tool to create a fun alternate menu - what I would serve “if,” or perhaps, it’s what I'll serve next year! This was so entertaining. And you know, I actually stumbled on quite a few appealing recipes that, in any event, I look forward to trying.
Thank you, Food52, for putting this together. ;o)
 
PHIL November 1, 2016
How are you Antonia?
 
AntoniaJames November 2, 2016
Doing great, Phil. Thanks for asking. Trying hard not to be eaten alive by client work, but that's a fine problem to have, if you own the firm. And you? ;o)
 
PHIL November 1, 2016
I tried the Menu Genie and it determined I should have Thanksgiving catered.