A Thanksgiving Gathering Went Viral – And Now You Can Taste Recipes From Its Table
An accidental text brought Jamal Hinton and Wanda Dench together in 2016, and they’ve been celebrating the holiday since.
Photo courtesy of Green Giant
Chances are you heard what happened back in 2016, when a woman named Wanda Dench texted a total stranger a message thinking it was her grandson and told him what time to show up to her house for the family’s Thanksgiving dinner. The person on the receiving end was a then 17-year-old named Jamal Hinton who confirmed to Wanda she had the wrong number (her grandson had recently changed numbers, and Jamal was assigned his old one), but he still asked her, “Can I still get a plate tho?” Dench welcomed Hinton to dinner with open arms (this time on purpose!) and that fateful Thanksgiving would be the first of many the duo would come to spend together as instant friends.
This year, Jamal Hinton and Wanda Dench (who is now better known as the “Thanksgiving Grandma”) are celebrating their tenth Thanksgiving together, but that’s not all. For the first time, you can get a taste of what it’s like to be at their annual holiday dinner without getting an accidental text dinner invitation.
What Are Jamal and Wanda Cooking for Their 10th Annual Thanksgiving?
Hinton and Dench have partnered with the iconic Green Giant brand to host their Thanksgiving day feast and bring their story full circle with a holiday table full of their favorite Thanksgiving recipes that feature Green Giant canned vegetables. One recipe the dynamic duo loves is the best ever green bean casserole, a classic no-fail side dish that you can get your hands on now on Green Giant’s official website as you get your turkey day dinner prep locked in.
Photo courtesy of Green Giant
How To Make the Best Ever Green Bean Casserole
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. In a large pan, melt butter over medium heat and cook mushrooms for five minutes, then add in garlic and cook for one minute more. To make the sauce, stir in cream cheese, milk, chicken broth, thyme, salt, and pepper until smooth and bubbling. Remove the sauce from heat, mix in the Green Giant Cut Green Beans, then transfer the mixture to a casserole dish. Top with French-fried onions and bake for 10 minutes, or until cooked throughout. This casserole is very make-ahead-friendly, and can be made three days in advance.
This tasty heartwarming collaboration not only celebrates a decade of the two internet icons being friends, but also marks the 100-year anniversary of Green Giant as a food brand and the role it has played in feeding families with USA-grown canned vegetables.
“Wanda and I are thrilled to celebrate our 10th Thanksgiving together, and partnering with Green Giant makes it even more special,” Jamal Hinton says in a press release. “Green Giant has been part of so many holiday traditions, and we’re excited to make new memories with their vegetables at our table.”
“I am so grateful we’re able to continue to get together. I can’t believe it’s been 10 years since that mistaken text,” says Wanda Dench in a press release. “For us, the holidays are all about connections and making memories. Sharing our 10th year – alongside Green Giant’s 100th anniversary – makes this year feel especially meaningful.”
Where To Find Jamal and Wanda’s Favorite Thanksgiving Recipes
Now with this exciting partnership with Green Giant, Jamal and Wanda’s 10th anniversary Thanksgiving is sure to be one memorable celebration of good friendships and good food. You can find their favorite recipes and more holiday cooking inspiration on Green Giant’s website.
107 Classic Thanksgiving Side Dishes You'll Make Every Year 107 Photos
From green bean casserole and roasted veggies to mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce, these crowd-pleasing holiday sides are sure to be the star of any Thanksgiving meal.
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