Andy and I are busy doin’ what most everybody else is doin’ this week…getting ready for Thanksgiving. We even have a theme for our dinner party: Not Your Mother’s Thanksgiving! We’re trying to veer off the beaten path a little and liven things up with a few variations to the typical menu. I can’t give away my daring deviations because I want to surprise our guests.
FYI – “Everybody’s Doin’ It,” the song which Irving Berlin wrote in 1911, is sung in the 1938 film Alexander’s Ragtime Band. “Everybody’s Doin’ It” refers to the ragtime dances from that era, including the Turkey Trot. I remembered hearing about that dance and thought it might be the perfect pre-Thanksgiving subject. It turns out it’s more perfect and fun than I could have ever believed!
Of course, it’s easy to snicker about the line “everybody’s doin’ it” but as it turns out, there’s still more to snicker about. According to a Library of Congress blog, the The Turkey Trot actually dates back to 1909 and became especially well-known after it was danced in the 1913 Broadway musical Sunshine Girl. And the dance was considered scandalous. A book by Dr. R.A. Adams, published in 1924 and entitled The Social Dance proclaimed that “The “Turkey Trot,” “Fox Trot,” “Horse Trot,” “Fish Walk,” “Dog Walk,” “Tiger Dance,” and the “Buzzard Lope,” are all imitative of the lower animals in their sex life, sex desire, sex excitement and sex satisfaction; and these things are in the minds of the dancers who understand the meaning of the animal dances.” Mmmmmm. Who would have “thunk”?
I imagine that when folks hear about The Turkey Trot today they immediately think of the footraces that occur across the U.S. on Thanksgiving week.
Or maybe, if they’re on the “older” side, they think of the song by Little Eva from 1965.
So we’ll leave you with much to contemplate. If you want to learn to dance the Turkey Trot, scandalous as it may be, here’s a video for you. If you want to sing along with Eva, here are some of Little Eva’s lyrics:
People may say you're some kind of a nut When you're lifting your knees and you start to strut But if your really want to get out of a rut Do some turkey trottin' and all your cares will be forgotten. Sounds like turkey trottin' is just what we all need.
If all this turkey talk has tired you out on turkeys, our recipe for today is the perfect main dish for a turkey-free Thanksgiving. Even steak-eaters should love it.
Lentil Roasted-Veggie Bowl
- 2 tsp. kosher salt, plus more
- 2 c green or black beluga lentils, rinsed
- 1 tsp. ground coriander
- 8 T olive oil, divided
- 3 tsp harissa paste, divided (note: if you’re a spicy food lover the harissa can be doubled – 2 T, divided); sriracha can be substituted but taste as you add it.
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
- 2 large sweet potatoes (about 1½ lb.), peeled and cut into ½” pieces
- 1 lb brussels sprouts, bottom cut off, outer leaves peeled off, and quartered
- 1 medium red onion, halved then slivered
- 3 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
- 1 Tbsp. honey or maple syrup
- 1/2 c chopped cilantro
Preheat oven to 425°. Bring a medium saucepan of salted water to a boil; add lentils. Lower heat and simmer until just cooked through, 25–30 minutes. Drain lentils and transfer to a large bowl; let cool slightly.
While the lentils cook, mix together coriander, 3 T oil, 2 tsp harissa paste, 2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp pepper in a small bowl. Arrange sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts, and onion on a rimmed baking sheet and drizzle with harissa oil. Roast, tossing once, until sweet potatoes are tender and browned on some sides and brussels sprouts are tender when pierced with a fork – 20 to 30 minutes.
Whisk vinegar, honey, and remaining 1 tsp harissa, then whisk in remaining 5 T oil; season vinaigrette with salt.
Add half of vinaigrette to lentils and toss to combine. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Divide among bowls. Top with roasted vegetables and cilantro. Drizzle with remaining vinaigrette. Serve.
No sexed up turkey trot for us! We do, however, remember with great fondness the 11 years of Thanksgivings and other holidays we shared with you. ❤️. Bill and Geraldine
That’s kind of a surprise – we thought you two would be the first ones strutting your stuff on the dance floor. Yes, those were good times. Have a fun holiday (dance-less or not).
Ah. Never could dance, but have done turkey. This year it’s ham. Costco has their own “take” on ham and it’s great. Sizes are OK for “just the two of us” as well… ours is 3#. Their ham is boneless and is from one side of the shank, so it’s relatively flat. Not fat nor excessively salty. Not pre-sliced, either, so it isn’t dried out before it’s roasted.
Best wishes to you both, and to all of those privileged to read your blog. ThanX! for certain-sure.
Bob
Thanks for the turkey-alternative suggestion. But I have a hard time imaging how you’d “do the ham” (or is it “Let’s Do the Pig?”). Happy holiday regardless of your dance step preference.