thanksgiving ideas
November 19, 2012 § 2 Comments
We won’t be home again this year for Thanksgiving, and I have no idea what exactly we’ll be doing or what we’ll be eating. Which really isn’t a problem since, thankfully, thanks can be acknowledged and given anywhere. I do love a turkey dinner with all the fixings, but I’m also just as happy wherever we may be, eating whatever is available. Looking back, I remember having lasagna on Thanksgiving once, and I think there was a roast beef on another. There was also the year I moved on Thanksgiving, and spent the evening sitting on a pile of boxes with no heat and no dinner. And there have been many, many Thanksgiving meals at restaurants. Also, when I was young and working in restaurants, I spent several Thanksgivings serving other families dinner and eating whatever was left over when I got home. So, with Thanksgiving being about well, thanks giving, it really is whatever you make of it, and I look forward to celebrating in that spirit this year.
But, of course, food is still nice. There’s certainly reason to celebrate when you’re sitting in front of a huge plate of carbs (okay, and some turkey), followed by loads of pie with freshly whipped cream. And, if you’re me, washing it all down with sparkling cider, because sparkling cider is the best. So, I thought I’d post some Thanksgiving-inspired recipes for anyone interested.
Whether you’re having a small gathering, a large one, or hitting the road like us, I hope you all have a wonderful day with the ones you love. Happy Thanksgiving!
Classic Bread Stuffing. This recipe is pretty much my favorite part of Thanksgiving. It’s got nothing funny in it – no nuts, meat, dried fruit, etc. – just bread and herbs. Yum. If you’re looking for something simple and, well, classic, this is the best.
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Simplest Cranberry Sauce. Another totally simple thing to make. You literally throw a few ingredients in a pot and let it cook. That’s it. And so delicious. Spread this on leftover turkey sandwiches!
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Mom’s Sweet Potato Casserole. Not to toot my own horn or anything, but this is awesome. It’s an excuse to have dessert on your dinner plate. Do it.
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Cream Biscuits. These are a year-round favorite around here. They are actually very dangerous, as they are so good the three of us will devour all of them at once, so they are a treat and I don’t make them too often. They are an absolute must at Thanksgiving, however.
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Roasted Brussels Sprouts. So, I don’t like Brussels sprouts. I tried so hard to get into them, I really did. Roasting, I think, is the least offensive way to prepare them; even I managed to eat quite a bit. Brussels sprouts lovers will love these, and they are so incredibly easy to roast.
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Oh, and chicken stock. It’s not technically a thanksgiving recipe, but chicken stock will undoubtedly be part of the many recipes you make. It’s a little more work to make your own stock and certainly not necessary, but you can make it ahead and freeze. Nothing compares to homemade stock.
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Sweet Potato Biscuits. These are really, really good. Light and flavorful, with a slight bite from a pinch of cayenne pepper.
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Pumpkin. Obviously, Thanksgiving just wouldn’t be complete without something pumpkin. And, luckily, I have a whole bunch of recipes (15!) rounded up right here.
Have a wonderful holiday!
It sounds like we have lots of similar Thanksgivings. My grandparents did lasagna on Thanksgiving once, and I have moved on Thanksgiving Day once as well!
Hope you have a great holiday!
Weird! I hope you have a nice one, too!