Thanksgiving Recipe Round-Up

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I thought I’d round up some Runaway recipes to help you plan your celebration, whether you are hosting the feast at home, or taking a dish along to family or friends. Just click on the highlighted titles for the recipe.

If you need some nibbles while everyone is waiting for the main event, don’t go overboard – there’s plenty of food to come. But a plate of Blue Cheese and Fig Savories or a bowl of Thanksgiving Popcorn or some dishes of Lemon-Garlic Cashews scattered around go great with a pre-dinner drink without being too much. And a plate of Glazed Kielbasa is always appreciated. Pimento Cheese served with crackers is a great little snack, and it is always good to have some in the fridge if you have hungry guests in the house through the weekend.

Turkey is the main event, but the supporting players really make the meal. In my house, it’s all about sweet potatoes on the side, and I always make Sweet Potato Casserole with Cider, Orange and Maple. But if mashed potatoes are more your style, why not jazz them up as Champ: Irish Mashed Potatoes with Spring Onion. And it wouldn’t be Thanksgiving here without some Classic Corn Pudding with Cheddar and Chives. Now, I admit this is a dish I usually make in the summer with squash from the farmer’s market, but this Summer Squash Casserole makes a creamy, tasty addition to a Thanksgiving table too. Succotash Salad is another summer standard that translates beautifully to the holiday board, and it’s a new take on a uniquely American dish. Peas with Pancetta,Mint and Crème Fraiche add a nice dash of green to the table, or try Bacon Glazed Parsnips for a wintry roasted vegetable. And the kids’ table is sure to love Cinnamon Apple Salad (and the adults will dig in too!). Butternut and Sage Lasagna is a great main course option for vegetarians, or an impressive side.

The bread basket is often the forgotten guest at the dinner table, but don’t just fill it with frozen rolls. A big batch of classic Buttermilk Biscuits is never a bad idea, but step it up a little with Pumpkin Sage Biscuits or some Toasted Corn and Bacon Muffins. A couple of loaves of Muddy Bread are useful throughout the weekend, with the main meal, toasted for breakfast or for sandwiches.

Now some people just sit patiently through all this other rigmarole just to get to the dessert – so don’t disappoint. Pie is a traditional Thanksgiving treat and a great bring-along if you are eating at another home. Traditional Southern Pecan Pie is a classic, or try another Southern tradition with simple, creamy Buttermilk Pie. Pumpkin Cream Tart is a true seasonal dessert, and a departure from a plain pumpkin pie. Or try a Buttermilk Cake with Caramel Glaze on a pretty stand. And a Traditional Pound Cake never goes amiss.

A big plate of cookies and bars passed around after a huge meal at the table can be a perfect Thanksgiving idea, offering small bites of sweet, without the extra service and clean-up of a full dessert. They are easy to pass or just put out if the crowd moves outside or in front of the TV for football. Maple Spice Crinkles or Clove Cookies have the warm, spiciness of fall; add some Hearty Pumpkin Cookies for a chewy treat. Apple Pie Bars are American as, well, Thanksgiving and a favorite family treat

My traditional post trick or treating Chicken Enchiladas with Pumpkin Sauce are also an amazing vehicle for leftover turkey and add an interesting twist to the weekend, as would Green Chicken Chilaquiles.  And Maple Mustard Chicken Salad, made with turkey of course, is great to have around.

So those are my ideas for Thanksgiving. I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday, and if you have any questions, please feel free to ask in the comments below – I’ll answer the best I can!