I have to say that for me and many Americans Thanksgiving Day is one of their favorite days to eat. Sure there’s the smell of the turkey slow roasting in the oven all day, but then there are the sides that make your mouth water. And of course there is pie. Sweet, delicious pie. I’m getting hungry already.
Now I’ve been preparing the Thanksgiving dinner for many years now, and the challenge for me every year is to prepare a meal that is crazy delicious and as I am not a fan of spending my entire day in the kitchen, easy to prepare. It’s taken quite a while, but I think I’ve created a wonderful menu, and my family is always pleased with the results.
The Perfect Thanksgiving Turkey
Savory Sweet Life’s How to Brine a Turkey: To have a perfectly moist turkey the key is brining. Brining seems overwhelming, but I started doing it a few years ago, and quite honestly it is super easy. I enjoy the results from brining so much, I’ve even started brining my chickens as well.
The Perfect Thanksgiving Sides
Cranberry Pear Spinach Salad: This salad is enjoyed by everyone including the kids in my family. I’ve also taken this recipe to potlucks, and it is always a hit.
Roasted Carrots and Turnips with Balsamic and Herbs: Can you say easy? Because this recipe is as easy as it gets, and it is delicious too.
Sautéed Brussel Sprouts with Bacon and Golden Raisins: You would think the kids would turn up their noses on this on, but they chow down on these brussel sprouts. Something about roasting the brussel sprouts makes them taste better, and of course there’s the bacon. Everything is better with bacon right?
Chorizo and Cornbread Stuffing: My mother actually makes an incredible traditional stuffing, but she’s super cagey about giving out the recipe to anyone, even her daughter! So I had to find a new recipe that my family would love. This one fit the bill, and even though the idea of Chorizo in your stuffing sounds a little odd, my family likes it, and it is pretty delicious.
Brandied Cranberries: I have to admit that this may be the one weak area in my recipe plan. Although the adults love these cranberries, my kids do not. For them I pull out the canned cranberry jelly. You know, the ones with the lines in them? Aw yeah. That’s how we roll in the Kinkaid house.
Whipped Sweet Potatoes with Bananas and Honey: My daughter’s not a huge fan of sweet potatoes, but even she cannot help but dive into these.
Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese: More people than I realized are not fans of sweet potatoes, so I had to come up with a second recipe for regular potatoes that fit the bill. These are a fantastic second, but I should offer up a warning. These are not low-fat.
The Perfect Thanksgiving Pies:
Emeril’s Pumpkin Custard Pie and Emeril’s Deep Dish Apple Pie: In my mind I only want two kinds of pie on Thanksgiving, pumpkin and apple. Years ago I happened on these recipes, and they are beyond. Though I have to say, I don’t put the cheese on top of the apple pie. Cheese on pie? Not really my thing.
So, how about you? Do you like cheese on pie? Are any of the other recipes working for you? They are for me, and I’m thinking that perhaps I need to have a test run this week to make sure they still taste the same. You know, just to make sure that I don’t screw anything up on Thanksgiving day. (Are you buying this?)
What’s your favorite item or special recipe that you must have on Thanksgiving day? I’m always looking for new ideas.
Kelly K.
We tried brining a turkey a few years ago, and loved it though my dh hasn’t tried it again. I love the new twists you shared on standard recipes. The whipped sweet potatoes sounds like a good recipe to try other times.
My dh makes an absolutely killer pumpkin pie and his apple pie isn’t too shabby, either. He’s making both this year since we’ll be having my inlaws join us at Thanksgiving to celebrate my fil’s birthday.
I can’t believe your mom won’t share her recipe with you. Hilarious! I’m just about ready to plan my meal, but I’ll admit that the pies will be bought.
That’s a great selection of recipes!