Thanksgiving Hoedown Munchies

So, you’ve decided to host a hoedown for Thanksgiving this year? Well, it’s time to grab your cowboy boots, dust off that checked shirt you’ve been pretending you bought ironically, and prepare to throw the most awesome party of the century 🦅🦅

Now, if there’s one thing a good ol’ fashioned hoedown needs, it’s food. And not just any food. We’re talking hearty, gut-busting dishes that make your guests feel like they’ve just wrangled a bull! 🤠

First things first, every hoedown needs plenty of meat, and our Steak & Cheese Pie really hits the spot!

• Baked Beans: No, your eyes do not deceive you- Baked Beans! These aren't your average beans though- not even Heinz will cut it. We're talking the slow-cooked homemade kind with bacon. Your guests will love them and they make a mean accompaniment to our cheesy pies.

• Mac & Cheese: Look, if there’s one universal truth, it’s that Mac & Cheese makes everything better. I’m talking about the kind that's baked in the oven until it's got that crispy, golden-brown top and ooey-gooey cheesy middle🧀 Even better when it’s in a pie!! Our Mac & Cheese Pie is sure to delight your fellow cowboys.

No hoedown is complete without something to satisfy your sweet tooth, ideally something so decadent that it feels just a little bit sinful.

• Peach Cobbler: The crown jewel of Southern desserts🍑 Serve it warm, and if you don’t top it with a heaping scoop of vanilla ice cream, there’s a real possibility your guests will rise up and overthrow you. Hoedowns can be ruthless.
• Apple Pie: A true American classic. This dessert is mostly butter and sugar disguised as a fruit-based treat 🍏 which is perfect because your guests can pretend it’s healthy as they go back for seconds!! Our Big Apple Pie will definitely be a crowd-pleaser at your next hoedown, that's for sure. Make sure to serve it with generous dollop of clotted cream (Devon-made of course, can't let the Americans have all the fun)!

• Fried Oreos: Why not toss in something completely over the top? These little deep-fried bundles of joy are like a country fair in your mouth. They'll also ensure no one leaves without a proper sugar high- or a mild sense of regret 😬

Now, a hoedown isn’t just about food. It’s about washing that food down with beverages that match the mood.

• Sweet Tea: This isn’t optional. Sweet tea is the nectar of the South. Make it so sweet that your guests question whether they're drinking tea or syrup. If they aren't visibly wincing after the first sip, you need more sugar. And if they aren't the tea type, you can get the same southern feel with some extra-sugary homemade lemonade🍋
• Whiskey: Naturally, you may need a stronger option to help your guests work up the courage to attempt line dancing🍸 Serve whiskey neat, on the rocks, or in a Whiskey Sour, and if anyone tries to ask for a fancy cocktail, just give them a confused look and hand them a beer.

Now that you’ve got your food and drinks in order, it’s time for the main event: dancing🕺 No hoedown is complete without a raucous round of line dancing, two-stepping, and maybe even a good ol' fashioned square dance🪗

Make sure your playlist includes the essential country hits- some Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, and if you’re feeling generous, throw in some Garth Brooks to keep the party alive!

As your guests roll themselves out the door, fully fed, possibly tipsy, and definitely tired from an evening of merriment, you can rest easy knowing you threw the hoedown to end all hoedowns to celebrate Thanksgiving like a real cowboy🦃 Feel free to follow up the event with a full-on Thanksgiving banquet the next day to get the full experience, giving thanks around the dinner table with a Turkey, Ham, Brie and Cranberry Pie in hand!!

So, tip your hat, holler a "Yeehaw," and get ready to do it all again next year!