THANKSGIVING

THANKSGIVING RECIPE ROUNDUP 2018

thanksgiving recipe roundup (1).png

Truth be told, Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. It has a much different meaning to me than it did as a kid. Mainly because I’ve grown to learn that the “Thanksgiving Feast” we learned about as children is basically a fabricated lie to make people feel better about stealing land and lives from Native Americans. So, no I don’t, celebrate Thanksgiving with decor depicting pilgrims and Native Americans. And if you do, I hope you’ll educate yourself on why that’s super problematic.

If you haven’t realized, I keep it real around here. I do want this to be a happy corner of the Internet, but in recent times, I’ve realized my voice has a purpose. That’s something I’m thankful for. So, I will never be one to sugarcoat the facts.

You came here for recipes, right? So, let me first tell you why Thanksgiving is a favorite of mine. FAMILY, FRIENDS and FOOD. You see Christmas is full of SO much pressure to buy the perfect gift for EVERY person in your life, and I feel like the true purpose gets lost. What’s really important is spending quality time with one another, because our time here in this world is so short! I’m totally feeling that as I creep closer to 30. So, behind Halloween, Thanksgiving is my favorite because you make a lot of really yummy food and get to enjoy it with people you love.


This year we are going to a friend’s house for Thanksgiving, so we are not hosting. Personally, I love hosting and cooking a huge meal - even if it’s just Kyle, myself and Whistler. However, I’ll still be making some of my favorites to bring to their home.

Here are some of my favorite recipes.

MAIN - THE TURKEY

Image from FoodNetwork.com

Image from FoodNetwork.com

Brining is the ONLY way to cook a turkey if you really wanna know how I feel. Personally, I use brine recipes just as a guideline for how much salt and sugar to add to the brine bag. Then, I add what sounds good. You can pick up a brine bag at any grocery store. Just be sure it will fit your bird! If I were making a turkey this year, this is the one I’d try!

Brined Rosemary Crusted Turkey with Pan Gravy

SIDES

These are the two dishes that I’m bringing to our friend’s place. One is a new recipe to the Thanksgiving spread, and the other is a tried and true classic.

Bonus: Both are great if you have vegetarians at your table.

Roasted Carrots with Vinaigrette - Here’s the thing you need some veggies on your plate. I don’t even LIKE cooked carrots, but SOMEHOW Ree Drummond dusted her magic on these. They are TO DIE FOR, and even Kyle loves these carrots. You have to try them.

Best Green Bean Casserole - Is it even Thanksgiving without this dish? No matter what, I use recipes as a guide. I rarely follow them line by line. For example, to make this easier on Kyle (who is lactose intolerant), I make my own cream of mushroom soup with lactose-free milk. It’s just as yummy, and no one had a stomach ache.

DESSERTS

Okay, you need the classics - pumpkin pie, apple pie, but I’m not gonna lie I usually buy those from one of the fancier grocery stores in town! But, if you are up for making something a little different, these PUMPKIN GOOEY BUTTER CAKE BARS from Becky at The Cookie Rookie look divine! If you’ve never had Ooey Gooey cake, you’re in for a treat. Plus, these add a Fall twist with the addition of pumpkin.

DRINKS

We love making breakfast and starting the day with mimosas. But, for the remainder of the day, we love sipping on sangria. I usually Google a recipe that sounds good, or jazz up my own recipe with some extra Fall flavors like cinnamon and nutmeg. But, this one from Bobby Flay adds pomegranate which totally screams HOLIDAYS!

Bobby' Flay’s Pomegranate Sangria

fall sangria.jpeg


If you want to see past Thanksgiving recipes I’ve shared, including the best biscuit dressing (stuffing) of all time,
click HERE.



I hope you all have a wonderful holiday, and let me know if you try any of these recipes! I’ll be cooking away on Stories this week, so come hang out.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Kimberly











THANKSGIVING RECIPE ROUNDUP

thanksgiving recipe roundup 2 (1).png

Personally, I think Thanksgiving is the most wonderful time of year. Christmas is great and all, but the pressure around buying gifts can become overwhelming. What I love about Thanksgiving is that the only expectations of the day are focused on football, food and good company. The weather is finally (FINALLY) starting to cool down in Austin. While cooking is my zen place, I know it can be a bit stressful for others not so comfortable in the kitchen.

I wanted to do a roundup of my favorite Thanksgiving recipes, and what I do to make them my own. I also wanted to share a few tips to make Thanksgiving Day a breeze and provide inspiration for your menu.

thanksgiving-table-recipes

SIPS

Sangria - My summer sangria is just as tasty in the Fall. To warm it up, I add some cinnamon sticks to really bring the Fall flavor. Getting a drink dispenser is such a great investment. They aren't that expensive, and they come in handy throughout the year. 

sangria-fall-thanksgiving-drink

Bourbon Iced Spiced Cider - Bourbon purists will not agree with me here, and will suggest you add rum instead. But, I’m not big on whiskey or bourbon straight up. Sorry folks! I was out of rum. I made this drink last weekend and I absolutely loved it.

  • 1 shot of bourbon
  • 1 large ice cube
  • Top with spiced cider + pumpkin pie spice

APPETIZERS

Appetizers should be easy and quick. All of these appetizers can be made the day or night before, which frees up your kitchen the following day for other dishes. These are classic recipes and don't require a lot of prep work. 

Brie + Cranberry Phyllo Turnovers

Sausage Cheddar Bites

Veggie Tray

TURKEY

Image Source: Food Network.com

Image Source: Food Network.com

Turkey Brine - Brining your turkey is by far the easiest way to ensure you don’t dry it out. I’ve brined my bird for years now, and the flavor difference is worth the extra preparation. The great thing about brine is that you can make it your own based on the flavors you like. The brine I’ve linked above is what I plan to use this year. Also, don't be scared of the salt. It seems like a lot but your turkey gets a bath before it goes in the oven. 

I highly recommend getting an oven thermometer. It's the only way to truly know when your turkey is fully cooked.

SIDES

Is it even Thanksgiving without sides? I feel like sometimes sides steal the show - which is okay by me. I wait all year for stuffing. :) I think it’s good to have a mix of veggies and starches. The turkey is already going to put you to sleep, so adding some veggies on your plate won’t kill you.

Crock Pot Mac-n-Cheese - I like to do a crockpot version to keep the oven and stovetop free for the turkey and other sides. Kyle is lactose intolerant, so I follow this recipe (like most) very loosely. I omit the tomatoes and the evaporated milk. I use lactose-free whole milk and I also make sure to use lactose-free cheese. And, before you think, “ew, that sounds disgusting”, Boar’s Head makes some delicious naturally lactose-free cheeses. So, it’s not vegan imitation cheese. (Nothing wrong with being vegan, but I hear cheese is tough to replace!) This is real cheese that naturally does not have lactose.

Image Source: RecipesthatCrock.com

Image Source: RecipesthatCrock.com

Green Bean Casserole - It’s really easy to adapt most recipes to be lactose-free. For this recipe, I just make sure to use lactose-free milk. Making this dish from scratch really makes a difference. And, this is a classic dish that must be on the table for Thanksgiving.

Smoky Bacon Biscuit Dressing - I’ve only made the biscuits that are in the original recipe once. Save yourself time and bake off canned biscuits. You can assemble this the night before, and throw it in the oven the day of Thanksgiving to bake and heat up.

Mashed Potatoes + Gravy - Jeff Mauro’s recipe for mashed potatoes is downright divine. Butter, garlic, and cheese. Yes, please. I keep it really easy for the gravy. I make a simple roux with flour and butter in a pan, then add pan drippings from the turkey. It’s the tastiest way to make gravy. If you need extra liquid, or your bird didn’t make tons of pan drippings I suggest keeping a couple of boxes of chicken broth on hand. This pantry ingredient can save you in so many ways on Turkey Day - if you need extra gravy or you overcook your stuffing. :)

Image Source: FoodNetwork.com

Image Source: FoodNetwork.com

Balsamic Roasted Brussels - I love Brussel sprouts. It’s good to have another green item on your plate, and the balsamic really gives these veggies a special twist.

DESSERT

Cream Cheese Pumpkin Pie - I finally found this recipe on a blog! My aunt has made this pie for years and years. I can’t wait to make it. I want to see how closely it resembles her version. The cream cheese layer is made of unicorns and dreams. It pairs perfectly with the smooth layer of pumpkin. Secerectly, I could eat the entire thing myself.

Image Source: The recipe REBEL

Image Source: The recipe REBEL

Be sure to follow me on Pinterest. I've pinned all the recipes on my Pinterest board. I've also linked to all the recipe owners above, so please be sure to check them out. Cooking should be fun, and the more you put your own twist on things the more comfortable you'll become in the kitchen.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. This year has taught me a lot about patience and what's truly important. I'm grateful for my friends, family, and yoga. Every day I'm focusing on being the best version of myself, so I can give back to all the people who mean so much to me. This Thanksgiving - instead of turning your thoughts to gaining abundance - focus on what is right in front of you. The gifts of the present. 

XO,

Kimberly