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These are all of my family’s favorite Thanksgiving recipes, from the perfectly roasted turkey to our favorite side dishes and cranberry sauce. And don’t miss the tutorial on making the perfect gravy or carving the bird.
Try to avoid breaking out in a cold sweat as I say this…Thanksgiving is less than a week away. If you are hosting the big feast the year, take a few deep breaths (a stiff cocktail might be helpful, too). It’s all going to be okay. Pinky swear.
The first step is to put on your general’s hat and hand down some orders to the troops. Just because you’re hosting doesn’t mean that you have to do everything. Put a peeler in your kid’s hand and set him in front of the bowl of potatoes. Email your sister-in-law a link to your favorite sweet potato recipe (I’ve got a wickedly good one in this post). Put your friend in charge of the cranberry sauce.
Delegate, delegate, delegate! Happy host/hostess means happy guests.
And while you’re sipping on that cocktail, take a few minutes to think about what you’re grateful for this year. After all, that’s what this day is really all about.
The main event:
Roasted Turkey with Herb Butter & Roasted Shallots
How to Make Turkey Gravy: Recipe & Troubleshooting
How to: Carve a Turkey
Side Dishes:
Mashed Potatoes with Bacon & Caramelized Onions
Fresh Green Beans with Bacon, Mushrooms & Herbs
Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes with Chipotle Pecan Streusel
Spaghetti Squash with Apples & Toasted Pecans
Savory Bread Stuffing with Sausage & Herbs
Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Blue Cheese Breadcrumbs
Roasted Cauliflower with Indian Spices
Green Beans with Balsamic Roasted Shallots
Creamy & Low-Fat Mashed Potatoes
Sauces:
Boozy Cranberry Sauce with Port Wine & Cloves
Crockpot Pear & Ginger Applesauce
Crockpot Apple & Cranberry Sauce with Orange & Crystallized Ginger
Desserts:
Perfect Pumpkin Cheesecake
Apple Upside-Down Biscuits
Blackberry & Strawberry Crisp with Gingersnap Crumble (use frozen fruit)
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
What a great list Dara! I so with you on delegating. I usually let people to bring their favorite item and then work around what they want to bring.
Love that cranberry sauce!
What a beautiful collection of Thanksgiving recipes Dara! Thanksgiving is definitely my favorite holiday. We keep things pretty simple at our house since I’m the only one who cooks, but I do delegate setting the table and the boys help clean up a bit. They love watching football on Thanksgiving, so it’s always a bit of a challenge to get them to help, but they’re pretty good about it.
Wow, what a great post! I was drooling all over my keyboard as I read it
Just curious…since you are a fellow canuck, do you also celebrate the Canadian Thansgiving?
Rob
Saint John, NB
We celebrate, but typically with a roast chicken. I can’t bring myself to make a turkey on Canadian Thanksgiving, U.S. Thanksgiving (I live in the U.S.) and Christmas!
What a great post. I LOVE your troubleshooting for gravy!
I’ve been trying to decide on a recipe to make for Thanksgiving dessert. That pumpkin cheesecake looks divine! I think I’ve finally made a decision. Thanks!
You are making me soooo hungry! Love your gorgeous photos! Thank you for reminding me about the crisp. I think I’m going that route for our dessert as I am “pie-challenged!” Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Very awesome list and that cheesecake looks to die for!
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