Leanne Valenti
With my culinary training rooted in Japanese homestyle cuisine, designing menus through the lens of Washoku is my second nature. So when Thanksgiving rolls around, you won’t find overly sweet, coma-inducing, or under-seasoned dishes at my table. Instead, I focus on incorporating a full spectrum of tastes, colors, and a balance of fresh and cooked elements for maximum delight and digestibility. This year, I went deep exploring how I could apply the principles of Washoku while making the best use of local ingredients and recipes indigenous to the Americas, and the result is this… Oaxacan-Inspired Thanksgiving menu.
Active time: 40 min • Total time: 1 hour 10 min
Active time: 30 min • Total time: 5 hours 30 min
Active time: 1 hour 30 min • Total time: 4 Hours
Active time: 25 min • Total time: 75 min

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Chorizo & Mushroom Stuffing with Roselle Salsa
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Rice with Lentils, Blistered Tomatoes, Green Onion & Pepitas
A SPECIAL THANKS TO ERIN COLLIGAN INTERIORS

A knock-out meal isn’t complete without a fabulous tablescape! The vision for this Oaxacan-Inspired Thanksgiving tablescape came to life thanks to a collaboration with my dear friend Erin, of Erin Colligan Interiors. From styling to decor-sourcing, Erin thought of every last detail—and she made the process feel so fun and effortless!
If you’re looking to spruce up your home or need event design inspiration for the holidays, contact her here.