Arts & Entertainment
All the trimmings
Hoping to jazz up your Thanksgiving dinner this year? We asked readers to submit their favorite dishes.
Many gravitate toward the traditional on Thanksgiving, but sometimes it’s fun to try a new recipe too. We asked readers for some favorites that will go great with turkey. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Thanksgiving dinner has to have certain staples — but sometimes it’s fun to give them a fresh twist or try a new side dish that will lend the turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes a little unexpected flair.
We asked readers and prominent local LGBT chefs to share their favorites.
Here’s one from former White House Chef John Moeller. His book “Dining at the White House: From the President’s Table to Yours” is $35 and can be purchased at diningatthewhitehouse.com.
Pistachio Crusted Lamb Chops with Roasted Garlic Merlot Sauce
Pistachio Crusted Lamb Chops with Roasted Garlic Merlot Sauce
Pistachio Crusted Lamb Chops
Serves six
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: one hour
¼ cup breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon fresh thyme, minced
¼ cup pistachios, peeled and ground
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
3 (8-bone) racks of lamb, Frenched, cap fat removed
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
Salt and fresh milled black pepper
Preheat oven to 375°F. Combine breadcrumbs, thyme and pistachios in shallow bowl. Moisten with melted butter and set aside. Season racks with salt and pepper. Heat large sauté pan over medium-high heat and add oil. Sear lamb on all sides until nicely browned, about six to eight minutes total. Transfer lamb to small sheet pan and place in oven for 15 minutes or until meat thermometer reads 120°F. Remove from oven and let rest for five minutes. Liberally smear meat side of each rack with mustard. Roll each rack in breadcrumb mixture and return to baking sheet. Place in oven and bake for five to 10 minutes or until meat thermometer reads 135° to 140°F. Remove from oven and let rest 15 minutes before serving.
Roasted Garlic Merlot Sauce
Serves six
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Roasted Garlic:
10 garlic cloves, skin on
2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Toss garlic and olive oil together in medium oven-safe sauté pan. Place in oven to roast, stirring every two minutes until garlic is soft and golden brown (about 10 to 15 minutes). Remove from oven and transfer to plate to cool. Once cooled, cut root end from cloves and peel. Using fingers, press peeled garlic through a small fine mesh strainer into small bowl and set aside.
Sauce:
2 teaspoons unsalted butter
2 shallots, peeled and thinly sliced
6 black peppercorns
1 sprig of fresh thyme
½ cup merlot wine
½ cup prepared demi-glace
Salt and fresh milled black pepper
1 teaspoon cornstarch, dissolved in 1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon puréed roasted garlic
In a small saucepan, over medium heat, melt 1-teaspoon butter. Sauté shallots for two minutes, add peppercorns and thyme, and sauté an additional three minutes. Add wine and reduce by ¾. Add demi-glace and simmer over medium-low heat for five minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Gradually add cornstarch mixture and return to boil over medium heat, stirring constantly until sauce coats the back of a spoon. Remove from heat and strain into another small saucepan.Heat strained sauce over medium heat and stir in roasted garlic and remaining butter. Remove from heat and cover until ready to serve.
Stephanie Wilson (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Here’s one from chef Stephanie Wilson of Level One, winner of this year’s “Best Chef” award in the Blade’s Best of Gay D.C. readers’ poll.
Pork & Quinoa Meatballs with Cranberry Port Marmalade
Serving: 24 meatballs
Ingredients:
Pork and quinoa meatballs
2/3 cup quinoa
1 cup cooked ground pork
1 cup panko bread crumbs
1/2 cup grated zucchini
2 large eggs
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
3 scallions chopped
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
3 garlic cloves minced
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon soy sauce
¼ teaspoon ground pepper
Cranberry port marmalade
2 cups fresh cranberries
8 oz ruby port
1 tablespoon shallots minced
1 garlic clove minced
1 teaspoon fresh thyme chopped
1 cup sugar
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon ground pepper
In medium saucepan add quinoa, 1 1/3 cups of water and a pinch of kosher salt. Bring to boil and cook till tender 10-15 minutes. Spread on baking sheet and let cool.
In large bowl whisk eggs. Squeeze liquid from grated zucchini and add to eggs. Stir in parmesan, scallions, cilantro, garlic, sesame oil, soy sauce and pepper. Mix in the quinoa, cooked ground pork and panko. Let stand for 10-15 minutes.
Form mix into small meatballs. Heat large sauté pan with a two tablespoons oil. Working in batches brown all sides. Spray baking sheet with non stick spray and finish in 400 degree oven until heated through.
Heat small saucepan with one teaspoon oil. Add shallots and garlic and cook till tender. Add cranberries, port, thyme, sugar and salt and pepper. Reduce till cranberries are tender and there is a thick consistency. Add more sugar if needed.
In food processor, pulse mixture until somewhat smooth. Pour into shallow dish and cool completely.
On large platter arrange the meatballs with cranberry-port marmalade for dipping.
Patrick Vanas (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
These two are from Chef Patrick Vanas, another winner in this year’s Best of Gay D.C. awards. He works as a private chef and can be reached at [email protected].
Smoked Paprika Sweet Potato Croquettes with Coffee Maple Sauce
3 sweet potatoes
1 egg
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
½ teaspoon salt
Pinch of freshly ground pepper
1 slice white bread
1 egg
Milk
Panko breadcrumbs
Salt
Smoked paprika
Wrap potatoes in foil and bake one hour in 400-degree oven. Remove and allow to cool slightly. Place in bowl and add egg, paprika, butter, salt pepper and slice of bread torn into small bits, mix then allow mixture to cool in fridge about one hour. Shape into three” “logs” slightly thicker than your thumb, set aside in fridge for another hour.
Mix second egg and few tablespoons milk in pie dish and then in another pie dish add two cups Panko bread crumbs, salt and smoked paprika.
Sauce Method:
1 cup Maple syrup
½ teas instant coffee
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Pinch of salt
Mix all ingredients in small sauce pan and bring to a simmer, a tablespoon of water might be needed to keep thin. Simmer a few minutes. Set aside.
Remove croquettes from fridge, coat with egg milk mixture, then roll in Panko crumbs mixture; set in clean dish ready to fry. In a shallow sauté pan add about ½ to one inch of vegetable oil and bring to about 340 degrees, add croquettes cooking about four to six at a time depending on size of pan, not to over crowd. Cook about four-five minutes turning to lightly golden on all sides. Place on paper toweled plate to cool and drain slightly. Finish rest of croquettes. Place sauce in ramekin and allow guests to dip or drizzle sauce over all and serve with Thanksgiving feast. They can be made and placed in warm oven until ready to serve. Makes about 10 to 12 depending on size. Can be made into smaller croquette balls.
Celery Soup (Photo courtesy of Patrick Vanas)
Celery Soup
The first time I had this was about 20 years ago at a friend’s house and was intrigued that the depth of flavor it had. When she explained the recipe at the dinner table I thought, “Wow that seems like a lot of work for soup.” Now I know many soups are complex, but this one is not. It’s a wonderful simple celery taste, a great way to start “Pre” Thanksgiving — not filling but great flavor. Can be made days ahead.
Ingredients:
1 bunch of celery (leaves/stems etc.)
1 shallot
1/3 cup olive oil (pure, not extra virgin)
2 quarts vegetable stock/broth
Salt and pepper
Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.
Chop celery roughly and place in large ovenproof stock pot, (I use a five-quart size). Add shallot, olive oil, salt and pepper and sear a few minutes on high heat. Slice about 10-15 thin slices of celery and set aside for garnish or use leaves.
Add vegetable stock and place in oven and allow to braise about 90 minutes. I cover with foil to allow some moisture to escape to concentrate celery flavor.
Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly. I use an immersion blender and pulse to blend about five minutes. Use mesh strainer and strain into smaller pot to season with salt and pepper and olive oil and then place in kettle to heat to a simmer and reduce to low.
I use “demi tasse” cups to serve and let guests serve themselves with the leaves or slice of celery in cup ready to go. Serve with Parmesan Crostini. Makes about 15 three ounce portions.
Smokey Turkey Tortilla Soup
This one from Rosa Mexicano (with D.C.-area locations in Penn Quarter and in Chevy Chase) might be good to keep in mind for those inevitable turkey leftovers. The restaurant also has a Thanksgiving special for those who don’t feel like cooking. Visit rosamexicano.com for details.
Smokey Turkey Tortilla Soup
1 medium onion, roughly chopped
6 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
6 plum tomatoes, peeled, seeded and roughly chopped
1 jalapeno pepper, minced
½ can chipotle chiles en adobo
1 teaspoon dried oregano, rubbed gently between the palms
6 cups turkey broth
4 ounces tortilla chips, crumbled
Salt
2 cups cooked turkey, diced into ½ inch cubes
1/3 cup cilantro, finely chopped
4 ounces tortilla strips for garnish
½ cup grated Chihuahua cheese (Monterey jack can be substituted)
1 avocado, sliced into sixths lengthwise
Combine onion, and garlic with two tablespoons olive oil in a medium saucepan and cook over medium-high heat until translucent.
Add tomatoes, jalapeno, chipotles and oregano and cook 10 minutes more.
Add turkey broth and simmer an additional 30 minutes. Remove from heat, add tortilla chips and puree in small batches in a blender until smooth. Season with salt to taste and strain through a fine strainer.
Serve by dividing the warm cooked turkey into six soup bowls, topping with Chihuahua cheese, tortilla strips, cilantro and avocado slice.
Pour the hot broth over the garnish and serve immediately.
Brussels Sprout and Pancetta Slaw (Photo by Sam Armocido; courtesy Jonathan Bardzik)
This one is from local gay chef Jonathan Bardzik’s book “Simple Summer,” available at Amazon or through jonathanbardzik.com.
Brussels Sprout and Pancetta Slaw (serves six)
Who knew Brussels sprouts could taste light and fresh? This salad just gets better over time as the dressing lightly wilts the slaw. The sharp vinaigrette blends with salty-rich pancetta and the earthy sprouts.
Ingredients:
4 cups Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
For dressing:
1/2 cup diced Pancetta
1 shallot, minced
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tbs sharp, grainy mustard
1/2 cup olive oil — use the good stuff!
Directions:
Blanch Brussels sprouts in salted, boiling water for one minute. Remove to ice bath. When cool, drain and pat dry.
Sauté pancetta in one tablespoon olive oil over medium heat until crispy. Remove to drain on paper towels. Reserve fat to fry just about anything.
Whisk together shallot, apple cider vinegar, mustard, salt and pepper to taste.
Thinly slice Brussels sprouts and place in a bowl with some extra room.
While whisking, pour olive oil, in a thin stream, into vinegar mixture to form a creamy emulsion. Season to taste.
Dress brussels sprouts with half dressing and Pancetta. Let rest five-10 minutes and season to taste with additional dressing if needed.
Sports
2 former NBA players launch cheap anti-trans stunt to exploit WNBA rules
Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White are attempting to extend their finished sports careers through vague gender eligibility policy in the WNBA.
As transgender sports policy continues to make headlines, two former NBA players are attempting to use vague WNBA wording on players’ gender identity to extend their finished professional sports careers.
Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White, two male former professional basketball players who have aligned themselves with the ‘far-right’ political spectrum, have announced that they plan to self-identify as transgender in order to meet the requirements to declare themselves eligible for the WNBA draft.
Freedom last played for the NBA in 2022, while White played his last professional game in 2018.
Both players have explicitly stated that this choice is an attempt to exploit the policy currently in place in the WNBA — one that assumes those who say they identify as transgender women are women — unlike what these two have done.
The WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement states that “only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA,” but it does not include more specific language about gender identity or sex assigned at birth, according to The Athletic, The New York Times’s sports publication.
Neither Freedom nor White has previously made any statements about being trans.
“If simply declaring who you are is all that’s required, then I meet every single requirement necessary to compete in the WNBA,” Freedom wrote on X. “Based on the current guidelines, I can and am officially declaring my eligibility for the upcoming WNBA draft in April 2027.”
Hours later, White made a similar statement to Fox News, emphasizing that this was solely an attempt to exploit the policy — an attempt at inclusion — and use it as a loophole to stay relevant in the sport he left in 2018.
“I’m transgender. I’m a woman. I identify as sometimes identifying as a woman for purpose of basketball, professional basketball, so I’ll be declaring for the WNBA draft in 2027 as well,“ White told Fox News. “I think I’d be unstoppable. But I’m a team-first guy. I’m a pass-first kind of player. I do the little things. I led my team in all five major stat categories at Iowa State University, so I do a little bit of everything. I’ll do whatever the coach needs me to do. I’ll do whatever the girls need me to do.”
White also said that he would be open to suing the WNBA if he were not allowed to be a part of the draft, while making transphobic comments about genitalia in the same breath.
“I think the WNBA could come out and make a definitive statement about guys with a pair of balls playing in the Women’s Association,“ White said, saying he doesn’t “want to be discriminated against.”
“I want fair treatment,” White continued while also using the opportunity to promote his run for the U.S. Senate seat in Minnesota. “I’m a young Black, hopefully United States Senator that would like a fair chance to participate as a sometimes-identifying-as-a-transgender-woman athlete.”
“We’re gonna have to have a huge legal battle about discrimination if I can’t play,” he added.
White has made multiple failed attempts to run for office as a Republican since leaving the NBA, with statements surrounding conspiracy theories and his support for Trump coming under fire.
He has faced court actions after falling behind on court-mandated child support payments and has faced family repercussions for his political activities.
White’s grandfather has distanced himself from White, stating: “There’s no way I can support my grandson supporting the GOP, and in essence, Trump.”
In response to Freedom’s X post and White’s announcement, the Women’s National Basketball Players’ Association, the players’ union for the WNBA, released a statement doubling down on its commitment to inclusivity in the sport.
“We embrace justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Those are the values that unite this Union and allow it to protect women’s sports while creating transformational change,” the statement said in a post on Instagram.
“Hate, abuse, and demonization of any person or group of people, including transgender people, only fuel fear, division, and harm. We will continue to have hard conversations,” the post continued. “But we will not be used as political pawns.”
The statement comes just days after WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert sent a memo to teams attempting to address ongoing discussions around transgender athletes in women’s basketball.
“I know many of you have received questions in recent weeks regarding transgender athlete participation in women’s basketball, and I expect this topic will continue to receive significant attention,” Engelbert wrote in the memo, which was sent Friday afternoon and published in the Associated Press. “I wanted to reach out to share how we are approaching these conversations at the league office and to thank those of you who have responded to questions from the media with thoughtfulness and professionalism.”
“We recognize that this is a complex and nuanced topic, and we will continue to have important conversations with all of you and the Players Association in the weeks and months ahead,” Engelbert said. “We also plan to convene additional discussions and offer listening sessions for any team leaders who would like to participate. Your perspectives and feedback are invaluable, and I appreciate those who have already reached out to share their thoughts.”
The memo, which does not clarify whether the league’s stance on gender eligibility will change or what the ongoing conversations have looked like, comes as political figures — particularly those on the right — continue to fuel debates over transgender participation in women’s sports across the country and across sports.
Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis also commented on the ongoing eligibility meetings the WNBA is holding, using the issue to criticize transgender participation in women’s sports.
“WNBA meeting to decide whether 2+2=4 or 2+2=5,” Desantis wrote on X on Saturday.
Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham voiced support for barring transgender girls and women from girls’ and women’s sports. Cunningham’s comments sparked small rallies and protests in Seattle and Portland when the Fever were on the road last week.
Despite the loudest voices — and those being covered by non-LGBTQ outlets — highlighting negative takes on transgender inclusion on female sports teams, multiple WNBA members have voiced their support for transgender women participating in sports.
Seattle Storm center Stefanie Dolson and Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve have used their platforms to continue their vocal support for transgender women participating in sports.
“We need to protect trans kids,” Reeve said on Aug. 1. “To me, it’s a human rights issue. Every kid has a right to sports.”
A source familiar with the league told the Blade that the WNBA is not taking Freedom and White’s announcements seriously and is not entertaining what the source characterized as bad-faith efforts to demonize the transgender community. The source emphasized that there are no serious or immediate eligibility issues involving the two men and said their attempts to enter women’s sports do not represent an effort to protect women’s sports.
“The WNBA will not allow bad-faith publicity stunts designed to mock or demean others to dictate serious conversations about league policy,” the source told the Blade on Tuesday. “There are no immediate eligibility issues affecting the WNBA.”
Theater
Don’t miss summer productions at Clear Space in Rehoboth Beach
‘Cher Show,’ ‘Pretty Woman’ among season’s standouts
“The Cher Show” at Clear Space Theatre is wonderful. I am always amazed at the talent they attract for their summer series. Kudos to Wes Drummond, the artistic director of the theater. “The Cher Show” is written by Rick Elice. Compliments to the talented director, James FitzSimmons, who brought to life this production. His immensely talented cast includes Shannen Hofheimer as Star, Breanna Lemerise as Lady, Abby Lynne as Babe, and Anya Kay, as young Cher. Each is a pleasure to both watch and listen to. They command the stage. Then more kudos to the entire cast and ensemble. Also, the creative team, which includes among so many who make this show a hit, choreographer Shondelle Graulich; scenic designer, David Chappell; lighting designer Brendan Smith; costume designer Valerie Beardsley; and the entire orchestra led by conductor, Jerry Birl.
But the actor who I was looking forward to seeing in the production, was a young actor I had written about, and reviewed, when I saw him at Clear Space two years ago. In this production he is Sonny Bono, and he definitely didn’t disappoint.
Let me introduce Caetano de Sá. I have written about him before, but his resume is worth repeating. It says; Height: 5’7 ½, Eyes: Brown, Voice part: Tenor G2 – C5, Build: Athletic. All true. Then you add to this he speaks Brazilian Portuguese, is certified in stage combat by the Society of American Fight Directors, and is a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo. Then as his resume of roles confirms, he can act, sing, and dance with the best. He does a great job as Sonny and is fun to watch on stage. Here he displays his talents as a singer and actor, and they are as good as I remembered them when I first met Caetano while he was still in school in 2024, and was starring as Frankie Valli in “Jersey Boys,” at Clear Space. At the time he was a rising senior at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee BFA Musical Theater program. I interviewed him, and Harry Sperduto, who played Tommy Devotee, after seeing them in the show, and being amazed by their talent. Since that time, I have followed their careers. When I heard Caetano was coming back to Clear Space for the summer, I reached out, and he agreed to sit down and chat, which we did. I knew Clear Space Theatre was planning a busy summer season. Their lineup of shows included “The Cher Show,” “Mean Girls,” and “Pretty Woman.” They always have talented casts, including the many college students who are getting their first chance to shine, which was the case for Caetano in 2024. Now he is back as a graduate, with more experience under his belt, a little more established. This season he was going to play Sonny in their production of “The Cher Show,” Martin/Coach Carr, in “Mean Girls,” and Mr. Hollister in “Pretty Woman,” and being a part of the ensemble. He told me he really enjoys being at Clear Space, and that his castmates are all talented. He is a lot more experienced than when he was here before, having performed in productions at the Prairie Repertory Theatre, the Emerald Coast Theatre Company, Firehouse Center for the Arts, and the Sullivan Rep, among others. In productions as diverse as “Oklahoma!,” “Mystic Pizza,” “Hairspray,” and “Rock of Ages.” He now lives in New York City and clearly New York is the perfect place for an aspiring actor. He has an agent at Bramante Artists, who is getting him gigs, like the one he had at 54 Below and even a TV commercial for AFLAC.
“The Cher Show” is the second show I have seen at Clear Space this summer. After our chat I got one of the last tickets available that evening for “Pretty Woman.” In that production he has a smaller role, and is part of the incredibly talented ensemble. It is also an entertaining show and its very talented stars, Abby McDonough as Vivian, and Jaiden Leo Riley as Edward, are a pleasure to watch. Kudos to the talented director, Ashley Williams, and the entire creative team.
For anyone living at the beach, or coming for a visit, I urge you to plan a night at Clear Space. You won’t regret it. But know tickets for all the shows, and Sunday evening cabaret nights, sell out fast. So, I suggest you see what’s available online and buy yours today.
The 2026 World Pride March was held on Saturday, Aug. 8 in Amsterdam. Tens of thousands of participants marched from Martin Luther Kingpark to the grounds of the Pride Village at Museumplein.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
View on Threads
View on Threads
View on Threads
2 former NBA players launch cheap anti-trans stunt to exploit WNBA rules
Same-sex couples challenges India income tax law
HISTORIC: Susan Stewart elected Rehoboth’s first out mayor
Todd Blanche’s record on LGBTQ issues comes under scrutiny as he takes over DOJ
Don’t miss summer productions at Clear Space in Rehoboth Beach
Calendar: August 7-13
Insured on paper, excluded in practice
Greg Araki still wants your sex
Mr. Henry’s to host 60th anniversary party
