For the last 11 years, Bethany Askew has looked forward to Thanksgiving for her grandfather’s turkey stuffing. 

“It is not entirely made of turkey,” said the junior Visual Communication major. “Papa uses the turkey legs and makes his own cornbread. Then he adds celery, sage, and his own mixture of spices.” 

Her grandmother tried to make the dish, but it was not the same. 

“Though her dish is delicious I definitely love my papa’s a little better because he uses less sage and more broth so it stays moist,” she said. “Every once in a while, he will mix it up. He will use duck instead of turkey. That’s the whole family’s favorite. It is a special treat since he does not do it every year.” 

Askew said she loves the duck because she doesn’t eat duck, but it has an unusual flavor and is more moist than turkey.  

“The other side I look forward [to], not as much of course, would be my aunt’s mashed potatoes,” she said. “In my opinion, she makes them the best.” 

Her aunt peels the skin off the potatoes to make it easier to chop, then adds it back to the bowl. The dish has salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic salt, chives, butter and shredded cheese. 

“I love her potatoes so much,” Askew said. “It is not common for mashed potatoes to have the skins still in it. I feel like I could eat the entire dish and still be content. The texture, flavor, and fluffiness make her potatoes amazing.” 

Ultimately, Askew said everything about Thanksgiving is special.

“I think homemade dishes are so much more valuable, mainly because it’s made by someone you love,” she said. “It’s something that you look forward to every holiday and it really brings families together to enjoy something you can only get at Grandpa’s house.”

“It’s unique in many ways, solely because no one else can replicate it, which is why I cherish every holiday with my papa, regardless of the recipe, the person behind it can really make it special,” said Askew.