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Alternate Thanksgiving dishes

Manuel Rios Roundup Reporter

A tradition almost 400 years old and an official American holiday for over 150, Thanksgiving is celebrated every year on the fourth Thursday of November. It is a time when friends and family come together to celebrate what they are thankful for.

Present at the Thanksgiving table since its introduction has been an array of dishes, ranging from the traditional turkey and mashed potatoes to green bean casserole and pumpkin pie.

As the tradition is continued and celebrated every year, individuals have become more self aware in regards to their eating habits, and search for alternatives to traditional meals. Some are even limited due to health concerns.

Serving as an option for vegetarians is spicy grain soup, similar to a tortilla soup, it contains barley, brown rice and bulgur. According to foodandwine.com, the dish is high in fiber and takes just over an hour and a half to make.

Another spin on the traditional Thanksgiving meal is the roast chicken with butternut squash. To

Location: 21812 Ventura Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91364 (818) 884-3880 mouthwatering flavor from the avocado and cucumber kelp mixed with a hawaiian dressing that has a freshness to the taste.

A variety of muted television screens are set to the NFL channel, while the smell of the Japanese food circulates the atmosphere. It is also combined with the aroma of the teppan cooking in the large, adjacent room. You can hear the sizzling of the grill and the loud cheers and claps from impressed customers watching talented cooks prepare a meal in front of them.

The prices of the teppan grill are slightly pricier than the regular dining and sushi menu. The teppan grill has lunch and dinner specials that range from $10.95 to $23.95, depending on what kind of chicken, shrimp, beef, or filet mignon meal

James Bergman explained to the crowd how the Pierce Student concerts are a staple in their semesterly line up.

“This is our whole mixed bag of Pierce students. Some have been here a number of times and a couple newbies, which is great,” Bergman said.

The first to perform was music major David Durrani who performed an original piece on the guitar titled “Lost.”

It was his sixth performance at Pierce and he described the feeling of performing for fellow students.

“I would say it’s not nervous, but a different feeling.”

Music major Maya Glasgow was next to take the stage and performed a cover of Lana Del Rey’s “Blue Jeans.” is made.

Glasgow, a first time performer at Pierce, thinks the Thursday Concert Series is a great opportunity for artists as well as students.

“I think it’s a good thing. Its better than not having them. It gives people an opportunity to play and others an opportunity to listen,” Glasgow said.

The regular dining of the half price roll menu is what usually attracts those on a tight budget. The prices start from $2.90 to $4 at most, with portions that are exceptionally decent.

The dessert of chocolate, strawberry, or green tea ice cream, mochi, and fried tempura ice cream are served in small, delicate portions to help alter the fishy aftertaste to a delicious and sweet one.

Something’s Fishy is worth the money for someone wanting a little bit of everything when it comes to Japanese meals. The service is fast paced and the quality of the food is the reason for the restaurant’s returning customers.

Halfway through the concert, singer Nusku Utley-Sanders, pianist Sean Boutte and bassist Akito Taylor performed an original song titled “Four Broken Strings.”

After the concert, UtleySanders expressed his mood when performing.

“I always enjoy the feeling of performing no matter where it’s at. I take every chance to meet new people. So as I’m singing a song I’m also talking to the people at the same time because there is a person behind the performance.” help make the squash brown evenly, it’s important to cut the fat from the roasting pan after removing the breast, according to foodandwine. com.

Utley-Sanders, another first time performer at Pierce, shared his thoughts on the Thursday Concert Series.

“I think it’s great because for people that want to perform that can’t necessarily get a label to pay for a big performance, all they can do is dream and they have to work really hard to even show people what they got. If I can get it easily at the school I go to everyday that’s great,” Utley-Sanders said.

The last Thursday concert will take place on Dec. 11, with pianist Andrew Brownell performing.

The roast chicken with butternut squash serves as balance to the smoked pork sausage with hardcider sauce as well.

A new option for the Thanksgiving menu is wild mushroom lasagna. Taking about two hours to prepare, the lasagna is vegetarian friendly, containing unsalted butter, extra- virgin olive oil, mushrooms and creamy wine sauce, making the lasagna moist. When dinner is done, gluten free apple fritters work as the perfect dessert. With crisp bits of chopped apples scattered throughout and a hint of glaze, the apple fritters take about four hours to make according to seriouseats.com. Although it may be time-consuming, the dessert will surely pay off following the Thanksgiving meal. Whether one is going for the traditional Thanksgiving meal or looking for a way to improve or change the menu, food has the ability to become fun and exciting again, only needing a few key ingredients and a little bit of patience.

Roast Chicken with Butternut Squash Ingredients:

1 chicken (3 to 3 1/2 pounds), quartered

3 tablespoons olive oil

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper

1 small butternut squash (about 2 1/4 pounds), peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes

1 teaspoon dried sage

3 tablespoons water