Thanksgiving Recipe Roundup – Appetizers, Side Dishes and Desserts

Thanksgiving is in 5 days.  Let me repeat that, Thanksgiving is in 5 days.  I know, right!  When did it all of sudden become the holidays???  Well if you judge it by the stores, I’d say what, July?  LOL  Don’t even get me started on that.  No today is about being festive and um, eating. Cause you know, that’s kinda my thing.  I’m a foodie and since you’re here, so are you.  Well okay you could technically be here because we’re related and it’s like some family requirement that you follow my blog.

So are you ready for Thanksgiving?  Did you get your bird yet, figure out what all you’re making, prep the house for company?  Yeah, me neither.  I’m actually going today to get my bird to start the brine. Since it’s just the 2 of us, I’ll get a small one.  And yes I do make the traditional sides (candied yams and green bean casserole – with a twist) and desserts (pecan pie and pumpkin pie) but I still like a variety.  I always introduce something different to the table. This year is no exception. I’m thinking perhaps melting sweet potatoes or a charcuterie board for an appetizer. Again I know it’s only us but still, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t enjoy it right?  Even if it’s in our pajamas.

Yes… we eat Thanksgiving dinner in our pajamas.  Don’t judge.  It’s AWESOME!

Today I’m giving you some other options besides the standard mashed potatoes, corn, stuffing.  I’m not saying get rid those; oh hell no.  I’m just saying including something new. See growing up Mom always made appetizers before the main meal. Now ours were pretty basic – chips/pretzels, sliced kielbasa, cheese and butter crackers.  If we wanted to be fancy then shrimp cocktail. Simple, delicious and quick.  Now my goal for these appetizers were just that – simple, quick and delicious but on a more refined scale.

Appetizers

As I mentioned earlier Mom kept appetizers pretty basic.  And while there is absolutely nothing wrong with that I like something a bit more well, homemade perhaps?  Again definitely not knocking the chips and kielbasa stuff cause that’s real people food as my Dad would call it.  Today my top choices are the following:

♥ Spinach & Cheese Stuffed Roasted Tomato bites
♥ Crispy Fried Ravioli with marinara
♥ Roasted Grape, Honey and Prosciutto Crostini
♥ 3-Ingredient Candied Kielbasa

c’mon I had to include a kielbasa recipe *wink*

 

Side Dishes

Now side dishes, to me, as just as important as the main dish.  Speaking of – are you a turkey or ham person when it comes to Thanksgiving? Growing up our sides were always the same – mashed potatoes, corn, boiled broccoli & cauliflower, boiled Brussels sprouts then bathed in a vat of butter *gag*, green bean casserole, homemade apple sauce and canned cranberry jelly *gag gag gag* that NO ONE ate – not even the dog!  So yeah, you’ll get none of that canned stuff here.

♥ Butternut Squash Gratin
♥ Sophisticated Green Beans
♥ Brussels Sprouts, Cranberry Pecan salad
♥ Green Bean Casserole Stuffed Portabello Caps
♥ Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts with Maple Dijon Glaze
♥ Roasted Maple Brown Sugar Cinnamon Acorn Squash
♥ Roasted Brussels Sprouts Skewers with Balsamic Reduction Glaze
♥ The Best EVER Cranberry Relish… like seriously!
♥ Classic Buttery Mashed Potatoes

 

Dessert

So do you still have room left?  Did you wear your stretchy pants?  Wait, you did at least wear pants, right?  *GASP!*  Rock on man!  LOL Now Thanksgiving desserts in my house were something out of this world.  You MUST read my Thanksgiving Serving Guide to find out all that my Mom made and how much we ate!  Dear God!  I’m surprised I even fit IN the house!  LOL  While pumpkin pie and pecan pies are iconic and classic I still like to make something else – just because let’s face it, not everyone likes pumpkin or pecan pie (weirdos.. LOL  Love you).

♥ Sour Cream Chocolate Bundt Cake
♥ Cranberry Orange Cheesecake Bundt Cake
♥ Triple Chocolate Mousse Parfaits
♥ Strawberry Cheesecake No Bake Tart
♥ BTS Caramel Pumpkin Cake with EPIC Frosting
♥ Croissant Love

Now if you’ll pardon me, this child needs to get her butt in gear and finish her shopping for Thanksgiving!

Happy Gobble Gobble!