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Thanksgiving and its traditions
Introducing the holiday of Thanksgiving and its traditions can make this Thanksgiving the best one yet! Cooking delicious recipes is a great way to show your family and friends how much you care about them. Try out some new recipes this year, or stick to old favorites. Either way, your loved ones are sure to appreciate your efforts. In addition to cooking, spending time with those you care about is another important part of the holiday. Playing games, watching football, or simply talking around the dinner table can create lasting memories. This Thanksgiving, take the time to create new traditions that will be cherished for years to come.
Plan Thanksgiving early enough so that you don’t have any stress
It’s no secret that cooking a big meal can be stressful. There are so many things that can go wrong, from overcooking the food to forgetting an important ingredient. And let’s not even get started on trying to keep everything organized!
But it doesn’t have to be this way. With a little planning and some easy recipes, you can make a delicious meal that’s stress-free. Here are some tips to help you out:
1. Make a list of everything you need before you start cooking. This will help you stay organized and avoid forgetting anything.
2. Choose recipes that are easy to follow and don’t require a lot of ingredients. The simpler, the better!
3. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from family or friends. They can be a big help in the kitchen, and it’s always more fun to cook with someone else.
4. Take your time and relax. Cooking should be enjoyable, so take your time and enjoy the process.
Favorite recipes for Thanksgiving dishes, including appetizers, main courses, side dishes, and desserts
that will have everyone talking When it comes to Thanksgiving, there are certain dishes that always come to mind. But this year, why not mix things up and try something new? Here are some unique Thanksgiving dishes that are sure to have everyone talking
We have three different menus for you to choose from here
Menu 1
1. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pomegranate Seeds
If you’re looking for a delicious and healthy way to enjoy Brussels sprouts, look no further than this recipe for roasted Brussels sprouts with pomegranate seeds. The Brussels sprouts are roasted to perfection and the pomegranate seeds add a lovely sweetness and pop of color. This dish is sure to please vegans, vegetarians, and meat-eaters alike. So why not give it a try? You might just be surprised at how much you love it!
Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pomegranate Seeds
Ingredients
- 1 lb. Brussels sprouts
- 3 tbsp. olive oil
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper
- 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cut off the ends of the Brussels sprouts and slice them in half.
- In a bowl, mix together the Brussels sprouts, olive oil, salt, and black pepper.
- Spread the mixture onto a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes.
- Remove from oven and top with pomegranate seeds before serving.
2. Sweet Potato Casserole with Maple Pecan Topping
This recipe for sweet potato casserole with maple pecan topping is the perfect dish for your holiday table! It’s easy to make, and the flavors of the sweet potatoes, maple syrup, and pecans will have your guests coming back for seconds. This casserole is also a great way to use up leftover sweet potatoes from Thanksgiving. So if you’re looking for a delicious and crowd-pleasing dish to add to your holiday menu, look no further than this sweet potato casserole with maple pecan topping!
Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole with Maple Walnuts Topping
Ingredients
- 4 cups sweet potatoes (peeled and cubed)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 eggs (beaten)
- 1/2 cup walnuts (chopped)
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
Topping:
- 1 cup light brown sugar (packed)
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 6 tablespoons cold butter (cut into small pieces)
- 1 cup Walnuts
Instructions
- 1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- 2.In a large bowl, combine sweet potatoes, brown sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, milk, eggs, walnuts, and butter. Mix well. Pour into the prepared dish.
- 3.Bake for 30 minutes.
- 4.Mix together brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Cut in butter until it resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in walnuts. Sprinkle over the casserole.
- 5.Bake for an additional 30 minutes, or until topping is golden brown.
3. Cranberry Sauce with Orange Zest
This Cranberry Sauce with Orange Zest recipe is the perfect balance of tart and sweet, and it’s so easy to make! Just four ingredients are all you need to whip up this delicious sauce that’s perfect for holiday dinners. The orange zest adds a lovely citrus flavor that takes this dish to the next level. And don’t even get me started on how good it smells while it’s cooking! Your whole house will fill with the most amazing aromas.
Recipe: Cranberry Sauce with Orange Zest
Ingredients
- 1 cup cranberries
- 1 orange
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine the cranberries, orange zest, sugar, and water.
- Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- Cook until the cranberries have popped and the sauce has thickened, about 5 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and let cool slightly. Serve warm or at room temperature.
4. Turkey Roulade with Herb Stuffing
This turkey roulade with herb stuffing is the perfect dish for a special occasion. It’s elegant and impressive, but it’s also easy to make. The stuffing is made with a combination of fresh herbs, bread crumbs, and Parmesan cheese, and it’s rolled up inside the turkey breast. The result is a juicy, flavorful, and beautiful main course that your guests will love.
Recipe: Turkey Roulade with Herb Stuffing
Ingredients
- 4 lb. turkey breast (boneless and skinless)
- 1/2 cup bacon (diced)
- 1/2 onion (diced 1 celery stalk, diced)
- 1 garlic clove (minced)
- 1/4 cup parsley (chopped)
- 1/4 cup rosemary (chopped)
- 1/4 cup thyme (chopped)
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 eggs (beaten)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate.
- In the same skillet, sauté onion, celery, garlic until softened. Stir in herbs and bread crumbs and cook for 1 minute longer. Pour in chicken broth and bring mixture to a boil. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. 4. In a large bowl, combine bacon mixture with eggs and salt and pepper. Mix well.
- Place turkey breast on a cutting board and spread herb mixture over top, leaving a 1-inch border all around. Roll up tightly, starting from the long side, and tie with kitchen twine at 2-inch intervals.
- Place roulade in a roasting pan and roast for 1½ hours, or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!
5. Pumpkin Pie Martini
This Pumpkin Pie Martini is the perfect fall cocktail! It’s made with just 4 ingredients and can be on your table in 5 minutes. This martini is so easy to make and is sure to please all your guests.
Recipe: Pumpkin Pie Martini
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz Van Gogh Dutch Chocolate Vodka
- 1.5 oz Frangelico
- 1.5 oz pumpkin puree
- 0.5 oz simple syrup
- 1 dash ground cinnamon
- 1 dash ground nutmeg
- 1 dash ground ginger
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a shaker filled with ice.
- Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled martini glass.
- Garnish with a cinnamon stick or freshly grated nutmeg.
Menu 2
1. Roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon and cranberries
Brussels sprouts are a wintertime staple, but they can be a bit boring on their own. This recipe for roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon and cranberries is the perfect way to spruce up your Brussels sprouts game. The combination of sweet cranberries and savory bacon makes for a delicious and easy side dish that will be sure to please everyone at the table.
Recipe: Roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon and cranberries
Ingredients
- 1 lb. Brussels sprouts
- 1/2 lb. bacon
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Cut bacon into small pieces and cook in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
- Trim the ends off the Brussels sprouts and cut them in half. Add them to the skillet and cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they start to brown.
- Add the cranberries, bacon, and balsamic vinegar to the pan and stir to combine.
- Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes, until the Brussels sprouts are tender. Serve hot.
2. Honey-glazed ham
If you’re looking for a delicious way to prepare ham this holiday season, look no further than honey-glazed ham. This recipe is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it, and it’s easy to make too! All you need is some honey, sugar, and soy sauce, plus a few other ingredients. The result is a tender and flavorful ham that will have your guests asking for more.
Recipe: Honey-glazed ham
Ingredients
- 1 turkey
- 1 package of stuffing mix
- 1 can of cranberry sauce
- 1 can of mushroom soup
- 1 can of chicken broth
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a large pot, boil the turkey for about an hour or until it is cooked through.
- Remove the turkey from the pot and let it cool.
- Mix the stuffing mix with the cranberry sauce, mushroom soup, and chicken broth.
- Stuff the turkey with the stuffing mix and put it in a baking dish.
- Bake the turkey in the oven for about 30 minutes or until the stuffing is cooked through.
3. Sides dishes like mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce are always crowd-pleasers
Sides dishes are often thought of as an afterthought, but they can actually make or break a meal. A good side dish can elevate a simple dish into something special, and everyone always seems to love mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce. So if you’re looking to please a crowd, be sure to have some delicious sides on hand.
Recipe: Sides dishes like mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce are always crowd-pleasers
Ingredients
Mashed potatoes
- 6 large russet potatoes (peeled and diced)
- 1 stick of butter
- 1 cup of milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cranberries sauce:
- 12 ounce bag of fresh cranberries
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 orange juiced
- 1 tablespoon of cornstarch
Instructions
- Combine the cranberries, water, sugar, and orange juice in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and orange juice until smooth. Add this mixture to the saucepan and continue cooking for another minute or two, until the sauce has thickened.
- Remove from heat and with the potate pure.
4. Pecan pie
Pecan pie is one of the most delicious pies you can make. It’s perfect for holiday gatherings and always a hit with family and friends. Pecan pie is also surprisingly easy to make. With just a few simple ingredients, you can have a beautiful, homemade pecan pie that will impress everyone.
Recipe: Pecan pie
Ingredients
- 1 / 3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1 cup dark corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups whole pecans
- 1 unbaked 9 inch pie shell
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Combine flour and salt, cut in butter until it resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in sugar. Add eggs and corn syrup; mix well. Stir in vanilla and pecans. Pour mixture into pie shell.
- Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.
Menu 3
1. Butternut squash soup
This butternut squash soup is the perfect winter comfort food! It’s hearty, warming, and so easy to make. Plus, it’s packed with nutrients like vitamins A and C. So not only will this soup make you feel good, it will also help boost your immune system.
Recipe: Butternut squash soup
Ingredients
- 1 butternut squash (peeled, seeded, and cubed)
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 3 cups chicken or vegetable stock
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: 1 cup half and half or cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Toss butternut squash cubes with olive oil and salt and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 25-30 minutes, stirring a few times, until they are fork-tender.
- Meanwhile, sauté the chopped onion in a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat until softened.
- When the squash is done, add it to the pot with the onions and chicken or vegetable stock. Puree with an immersion blender or in batches in a regular blender.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper. For a richer soup, stir in 1 cup of half and half or cream before serving.
2. Roasted turkey with sage and onion stuffing
This roasted turkey with sage and onion stuffing is the perfect holiday meal! The turkey is juicy and flavorful, and the stuffing is savory and satisfying. Plus, it’s easy to make and can be made ahead of time. So if you’re looking for a delicious, stress-free holiday meal, this roasted turkey with sage and onion stuffing is the perfect choice.
Recipe: Roasted turkey with sage and onion stuffing
Ingredients
- 1 10-pound turkey
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 2 celery stalks (chopped)
- 1 garlic clove (minced)
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh sage leaves
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh thyme leaves
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh rosemary leaves
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 1 egg (beaten)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- For the stuffing:
- 6 tablespoons butter (divided)
- 1 onion (chopped 2 celery stalks, chopped)
- 1 garlic clove (minced)
- 6 cups dry bread crumbs
- 1 1/2 cups chicken stock
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh sage leaves
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary leaves
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 egg (beaten)
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
- To make the stuffing, melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the onion, celery and garlic and sauté until softened.
- Stir in the bread crumbs and chicken stock and mix well.
- Stir in the sage, thyme, rosemary, salt and pepper.
- Mix in the egg and wine and continue to mix until all of the ingredients are well combined.
- Set aside.
To prepare the turkey:
- rub the outside of the turkey with olive oil.
- Season the inside of the turkey cavity with salt and pepper.
- Stuff the turkey with the stuffing mixture and truss the bird.
- Place the turkey in a roasting pan and roast for about 4 hours or until the internal temperature of the turkey reaches 180 degrees F when tested with a meat thermometer. Baste the turkey periodically with pan juices during roasting. Remove the turkey from the oven and let rest for 20 minutes before carving. Serve with your favorite holiday side dishes.
3. Roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon, mashed potatoes with gravy
This dish is the perfect comfort food for a cold winter day. The Brussels sprouts are roasted to perfection and the bacon adds a delicious smoky flavor. The mashed potatoes are creamy and rich, and the gravy ties everything together perfectly. This dish will definitely leave you feeling satisfied.
Recipe: Roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon, mashed potatoes with gravy
Ingredients
Roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon
- 1 lb. Brussels sprouts
- 1/2 lb. bacon
- 4 potatoes
- 1 can cranberry sauce
Mashed potatoes with gravy:
- 2 pounds of Russet potatoes (peeled and cut into chunks)
- 1 cup of milk
- 1/4 cup of butter
- 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1/2 cup of beef broth
Cranberry sauce
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 4 cups cranberries (fresh or frozen)
Instructions
Roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Cut Brussels sprouts in half and place on baking sheet.
- Cut bacon into small pieces and add to Brussels sprouts.
- Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes.
- Meanwhile, peel and mash potatoes.
- Add gravy to mashed potatoes and mix well.
- Serve Brussels sprouts with bacon and mashed potatoes with gravy on the side.
Mashed potatoes with gravy:
- To make the mashed potatoes, simply boiling the potato chunks in water until they are soft. Then, drain them and add the milk, butter, and flour.
- Use a hand mixer or potato masher to mash the potatoes until they are smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- To make the gravy, heat the beef broth in a small saucepan over medium heat. Once it starts to simmer, whisk in the flour and continue whisking until the gravy thickens. Pour it over the mashed potatoes and serve immediately.
Cranberry sauce:
- In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar and water. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar has dissolved.
- Add the cranberries and return to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from the heat and let cool slightly. Serve warm or cold.
4. Apple crisp
There’s something about apple crisp that just makes it the perfect comfort food. Maybe it’s the warm, cinnamon-y apples, or the crumbly, buttery topping. Either way, we can all agree that apple crisp is delicious. And what’s even better than a delicious dessert? A dessert that’s easy to make! So next time you’re in the mood for something sweet, try making an apple crisp.
Recipe: Apple crisp
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 6 tablespoons cold butter (diced)
FILLING:
- 6 cups thinly sliced peeled Granny Smith apples
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
TOPPING:
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- In a small bowl, combine the first seven ingredients; cut in butter until crumbly. Press two-thirds of mixture into a greased 13×9-in. baking dish.
- Bake for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl, toss apples with sugar, flour and cinnamon. Arrange over crust. Sprinkle with remaining crumb mixture. Bake until apples are tender and topping is golden brown, 30-35 minutes.
- 5.In a small saucepan, heat cream over low heat until bubbles form around edges. Stir in sugar and vanilla until sugar is dissolved. Serve crisp warm with sauce.
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