Countdown to Thanksgiving
ASI Media staff share their Thanksgiving plans, try out some delicious – and wacky – treats (Turkey & Gravy-flavored soda anyone?) and discuss ideas for distributors to leverage the season.
Turkey Day is almost here, and that means it’s time for an ASI Media taste-test.
To celebrate the upcoming holidays, Executive Editors Theresa Hegel and Sara Lavenduski and Social Media Producer Elieza Bague continued a Promo Insiders podcast tradition of sharing Thanksgiving plans and trying seasonal treats (like butter-flavored candy canes and turkey and gravy-flavored soda), while offering sales advice for distributors.
“Tap into people’s strong emotions about the holiday season,” says Hegel. “When is it too early to put up lights or play Christmas music? Have a little fun with that and center your marketing on those questions. Everyone has an opinion and loves to weigh in.”
Theresa’s Sweet Potato & Peach Casserole
Ingredients:
• 6 medium sweet potatoes
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/3 cup coarsely chopped cashews
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 ground ginger
• 1 can sliced peaches, drained
• 3 tablespoons butter
1. Boil sweet potatoes in water for 30-45 minutes or until tender. Drain and cool slightly; peel and cut into cubes.
2. Combine brown sugar, cashews, salt and ginger in small bowl. Place half the sweet potatoes in an ungreased 11x7 baking dish; top with half the peaches and brown sugar mixture. Repeat in layers; dot with butter.
3. Cover and bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake 10 minutes longer or until bubbly and heated through.
Bague says the unique seasonal food items out there could present selling opportunities. “Play around with kitting,” she says. “Include those colors and scents and flavors. Gag gifts are a good idea too – they’re simple, but they can get people talking and laughing and having fun.”
Elieza’s Pineapple Stuffing
Ingredients:
• 1/4 cup of butter
• 1 cup of sugar
• 4 eggs
• 20 oz. crushed pineapple
• 5 slices of white bread, broken into pieces
1. Cream together butter, sugar and eggs.
2. Stir in drained pineapple and bread.
3.Put into a greased 8x8 baking dish and bake uncovered at 350° for 1 hour.
Also pitch branded apparel and accessories for end-client’s volunteer events during the holiday season and even into next year. Distributors can provide team T-shirts, sweatshirts, outerwear and warm weather sets for outdoor gatherings and team-building.
Sara’s Fishmarket Pie
Ingredients:
Filling:
• 6 large Macintosh apples (peeled, cored, quartered)
• 1 and 2/3 cups sour cream
• 1 egg
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1/3 cup flour
Topping:
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
• 1/4 lb. butter (1 whole stick)
1. Prepare filling – mix all ingredients well and put it in a 10” pie crust (your own or pre-made).
2. Bake at 450° for 10 minutes, then 350° for 35-40 minutes.
3. In the last few minutes of baking, blend topping ingredients.
4. Take pie out, stir filling gently, and put topping on the pie – gently use fingers to place it on top and smooth it down with a rubber spatula so it covers almost the entire top.
5. Bake another 15 minutes at 350°.