For us Brits, the idea of Thanksgiving may appear a tad extravagant - too much feasting, and merely a month before Christmas! Yet, therein lies one of the charms of the American way of life; Americans possess a remarkable flair for holiday celebrations. Having married an American and now with my own American passport, Thanksgiving has become one of my favorite holidays. After all, any occasion that revolves around food and family — count me in.
True to my roots, this year’s Thanksgiving menu nods to old-fashioned English fare with a few international twists — call it English-American holiday cooking. Think pies, puddings, and the kind of dishes you might find in a really cozy country pub. But also plenty of refined, moreish, really achievable treats like today’s rather addictive dip. Fair warning: making this dip may secure your title as the family holiday hero — but it also means you’ll be asked to bring it to every gathering forever.
Oh, and good news — to mark the start of festive recipe season, subscriptions are 35% off for the rest of the week. So, whether you’re celebrating Thanksgiving or easing into the festive season, be prepared for the deluge of recipes that will be arriving in your inbox during the next few weeks.
A note to readers! Over the past few years, A Good Table has grown from zero subscribers to a bestselling Substack - and that’s all thanks to you. I am currently offering 35% off all subscriptions to celebrate the season and I’d be thrilled if you’d consider becoming a paid subscriber - every cent goes back into the cooking, writing, and ideas that make this space possible.
Everyone seems to be moaning about the clocks going back, but I relish the return of the dark evenings. They mark, for me, the quiet beginning of the festive season. From now until early January, there’s a gentle gathering of light and comfort. Wherever family and friends come together, the air thickens with the scent of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, spices that speak of memory as much as anticipation. Outside, burnished leaves make their way into flower arrangements, and shop windows shimmer just as dusk begins to settle, like a promise of something joyful on the way. Can you tell i’m a romantic?
Speaking of romance, this dip flirts shamelessly. A whipped cloud of goat’s and cream cheese, lightly sweetened with honey and perfumed with Christmassy/wintery spices. This ‘cloud’ is spooned onto a plate, and crowned with crispy bacon (or preferably prosciutto), syrupy olive oil-fried dates (these are the dates I use and they are the best I’ve ever had - worth every penny), and a warm drizzle of spiced honey with the tiniest kick of heat.
It’s part snack, part sweet/salty showstopper — the sort of dish you bring to the table with a bottle in hand, whilst the roast chicken or turkey finishes in the oven. Serve with torn bread, crackers, or just a spoon, if no one’s looking.
I’ve made and offered many versions of this dip over the years, but this is version 2.0 — tested, re-tested, and completely perfect.
Before we start cooking, here’s a question to paid subscribers. What is your favorite holiday recipe and why?
