Dolly Parton and her sister Rachel Parton George love Thanksgiving—as evidenced by the spread of dishes in their new cookbook Good Lookin’ Cookin’ (Ten Speed Press). The food doesn’t have to be traditional, the sister duo holds—in fact, their mother often used to prepare chicken as the main dish—because good company is the most important ingredient. “The recipes may be different or new, but we still gather in some way at Thanksgiving,” they write. “The same scent of sage fills the kitchen; the same laughter can be heard through the house.”
Still, though, a traditional meal hits the spot. After an appetizer of spinach and artichoke dip loaded with fresh veggies comes the turkey and gravy and all the sides—including, of course, mashed potatoes. The Partons like to kick up the potato recipe by adding garlic, cream cheese, and sour cream and then mixing in a last half cup of milk on high speed to bring some fluffiness to the texture.
Find the recipe below, and borrow another tradition from the Parton family playbook: Once everyone is gathered around the loaded table, guests share a little something they are thankful for, oldest to youngest.
