Thanksgiving in 2020: There Are No Rules!
What a year, amiright? One thing’s for sure, whether you’re having a smaller than normal gathering, quarantining to be able to spend time with friends, or going all out, cooking and eating with the people we love is still one of life’s great joys. I put together a bunch of my greatest hits from the blog that would be perfect to bring to thanksgiving. I wish I had had time to create some new ones for you this year, but the cookbook has been a full time job lately! But I can promise you this: the book will be out in time for next Thanksgiving and it will be EPIC! Until then, please enjoy these oldies but goodies. Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving, friends!
Citrus Mulled Wine
A full day with all our extended relatives necessitates a cocktail of some sort, let’s be honest. An ideal Thanksgiving cocktail should be very easy and low-key to prepare, highly sippable, and a help yourself sort of situation. This cozy mulled wine ticks all the boxes and hugs you back. What more could you ask for in a cocktail.
Chai-Spiced Apple Crumble
Apple crumble is a quintessential Fall dessert and this is just the thing if you’re looking for a dessert equally delicious and comforting as pie without all the work. Ooey-gooey caramelly apples topped with a buttery, crispy chai-spiced crumble. Top it with vanilla ice cream and I’m not sure there’s anything better.
Grandma Sivil’s Rolls
It would not be Thanksgiving without these rolls on our table. They are my great grandma Sivil’s recipe and they are perfect. Light, fluffy, and so easy to make. I make them each year and think of her.
Bacon-Roasted Carrots
Oh baby are these good. They’re inspired by the roasted carrots my mom makes alongside her roasted lemon chicken with bacon. The carrots get sweet and caramelized in the oven and are basted in bacon fat. These are carrots worth making, trust me.
Dirty Chai Pumpkin Pie
This may be my new go-to pumpkin pie. And guess what: I normally hate pumpkin pie. This turns classic pumpkin pie on its head by spicing it with the exotic flavors of chai and giving it a rich espresso kick.
Golden-Roasted Cauliflower with Pomegranate + Hazelnuts
This is my new fave way to enjoy cauliflower. It’s tossed with golden turmeric and roasted until tender and caramelized then topped with sweet and tart pomegranate molasses, pomegranate arils, and crunchy hazelnuts. A winner for sure.
Easy Baked Camembert with Pomegranate Molasses, Walnuts, and Buckwheat Crackers
Ooey-gooey warm camembert cheese is topped with sticky sweet and tangy pomegranate molasses and crispy walnuts. Serve with easy to make homemade buckwheat crackers for the ideal cheese and cracker situation.
Butternut Squash, Sage, and Bacon Chicken Pot Pie
While is isn’t a traditional Thanksgiving dish, the flavors couldn’t be more appropriate. It’s cozy, comforting, and one dish! Perfect if you wanna keep things low-key and super tasty.
Hazelnut Frangipane + Apple Galette
If you’ve been around here for a while, you know my particular fondness for galettes. All the flaky, buttery glory of a pie with infinitely more ease and forgiveness. This apple galette has a creamy, nutty layer of hazelnut paste hiding underneath which pairs so perfectly with the sweet and tart apples.
Cranberry Orange Curd + Gingersnap Tart
Tart cranberry and spicy gingersnap are a classic combo and I love it in this tart form! That vibrant magenta is so pretty and it’ll really wow the fam but it’s very easy to make. You make a quick cookie crust and fill it with a homemade cranberry orange curd then chill it. That easy and that good.
Pumpkin Nutella Swirl Tart
I created this recipe for Jojotastic and it’s honestly one of my favorite recipes I’ve ever developed. Low-key pumpkin pie vibes with a chocolate hazelnut twist. I made this last Thanksgiving and it was a hit!
Nanny’s Cornbread Stuffing
This is hands-down the ONE thing I look forward to most on Thanksgiving. Not turkey, or mashed potatoes, or even pie. Just this stuffing. Kinda a cross between bread pudding and stuffing: it’s at once sweet and savory with flavors of sage, butter, and cornbread. So, so good.
Apple Cheddar Slab Pie
Don’t knock this one until you try it. With savory, nutty aged sharp white cheddar baked right into the crust, it perfectly balances the almost caramel apple-like filling and is truly the ultimate sweet and savory combo.
Roasted Delicata Squash + Radicchio Salad with Warm Maple Chili Vinaigrette
Think of this a Fall alternative to the ordinary green salad. Sweet roasted delicata squash is perfectly matched alongside slightly bitter and crisp radicchio lettuce. The whole thing is drizzled with a sweet and spicy vinaigrette and crispy, buttery croutons.
Sweet Potato Rounds with Maple-Roasted Grapes and Stilton
Creamy sweet potatoes are topped with sweet and jammy roasted grapes and funky, sharp blue cheese. Such a tasty little appetizer and would pair so nicely with some chilled wine or champagne.
Harvest Kale Salad with Pumpkin Cornbread Croutons
Sometimes with all the richness and carbs happening, a nice, bright salad is a welcome addition. Hey I love carbs as much as the next gal, but I crave a little green too and this salad is just the ticket.