American Thanksgiving is in one week! Do I care? As a Canadian, of course not! The real one was on the second Monday of October. But since so many people are about to enjoy their sweet little late turkey, maybe it’s time to publicly declare my favourite tried & true recipes you might want to try this (fake) Thanksgiving.
Appetizers
Hot Spinach & Artichoke Dip - It’s become a staple appetizer in my house now because it’s ridiculously easy, flavourful and can be made ahead of time then popped in the oven alongside the turkey. Tortilla chips taste best with it, but if you want to dunk a Dorito instead this is your life and you have to live it proudly.
Rumaki - I can't find the recipe for this, but it's basically water chestnuts wrapped in bacon on a toothpick and baked in steak sauce. Incredible. (Thank you for introducing this to me years ago, Marla!)
Cranberry Jell-O Shots - Alcoholic & adorable.
Spinach, Bacon & Artichoke Stuffed Mushrooms - I absolutely love these stuffed mushrooms, but I’ve made them so many times I think I have to take a break from them for a little while. If you haven’t tried them though, you must. Whatever you do, don’t skip the breadcrumbs step because it’s the best part.
Cauliflower Toasts - Oh my god, the name is so boring but this is truly one of the best appetizers on the planet. Especially if you’re not hosting that many people and they happen to be mostly adults. Do children like cauliflower? I don’t know and truthfully I don’t care.
Side Dishes
Cranberry Sauce - This has been the one I’ve made for years now and it’s perfect. You can make it a few days in advance and it makes your home smell amazing. Even if you don’t like cranberry sauce, just make it… someone will appreciate it and love it. I am someone.
Cranberry Butter - It’s so good on literally everything (potatoes, dinner rolls, crackers, I can go on and I will, corn, garlic bread, green beans, stuffing). It’s untouchable. Even if this doesn’t sound amazing to you, I encourage you to make some kind of fancy butter because then if you screw up most of the meal, you’ll still be considered pretty fancy for making your own compound butter (honey butter, cinnamon butter, basil butter, etc.).
Kale Caesar Salad with Chickpeas & Sweet Potatoes - One of my favourite salad recipes of all time, even a kale hater MIGHT be okay with this salad because the dressing is just so good.
The Ultimate Salad Vinaigrette - If you dislike shallots then stay away from this recipe, but if you understand flavour and taste, then this is the greatest simple dressing of all time. The arugula part doesn’t matter much, pick whatever leafy green you prefer.
Boxed Stuffing - Okay, so I’m going to make homemade stuffing this year to see if it’s actually better, but every other year of my life I’ve made boxed because I love it, AS LONG AS YOU’RE FOLLOWING THESE INSTRUCTIONS.
Best Garlic Bread - I love this spread because it’s so involved, it just screams effort. And yes, simple garlic bread is beautiful and amazing, but for the holidays it’s nice to go a little nuts.
Chicken Caprese Pasta Salad - Does this seem insane to include as a side? I guess it would make sense to skip adding the chicken since it’s already such a big meal, but it’s truly just a great side dish with or without the chicken.
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes - Any kind of mashed potatoes are good mashed potatoes. Since everything else on the dinner table is usually so much more decadent, I like having a simple potato dish. One year I attempted scalloped potatoes, but I used too deep of a dish and it came out raw so I’ve always been a little afraid to attempt those again.
Jalapeno Cheddar Corn Pudding - Yes the phrase “corn pudding” sounds disgusting, I agree, we have to move on from that initial thought because this is SUCH a good corn side dish recipe. But whatever you do, I beg you to cut the recipe in half. It’s insane how the portioning is off on this one, I guarantee you’ll still have leftovers even if you half it.
Make Ahead White Wine Gravy - So, so good.
Entrees
Easy, No Fuss Thanksgiving Turkey - My mom usually handles the turkey, but the one time I tried to help I used this rub and it was sublime.
Eggplant Lasagna - Too, too good. If you’re not offering vegetarian options in 2021, nobody likes you.
Desserts
Individual No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Cups - There’s just something about an individual dessert, it’s so classy and almost independent? I don’t know what I’m saying, but you get it.
Banana Cake with Coffee Frosting - Truly heaven on earth. I have put this frosting on cookies it’s so unreal. I’m really ruining your life by telling you about it.
Apple Fritter Cake - I’ve never made apple fritters and now I never have to. Truly shocked at how good this tasted. It’s a bit of a wet cake, but sometimes that can be a wonderful thing.
Leftover Ideas
Leftover Stuffing Muffins - Simply incredible. I purposely make extra stuffing mainly so I can make these for the following week. Oooo and you can cut a stuffing muffin in half and then make yourself a mini turkey sandwich! Just thought of this! Gah! How am I not in charge of more things in this life?! It’s infuriating.
The Leftover Sandwich - Okay, so every year (starting with last year), I have altered the bread in this sandwich recipe. I think that will just be the tradition from now on because I kind of love it. Last year I went with focaccia (stellar) and this year I did a soft ciabatta roll (wowza). The main ingredients are turkey, cranberry sauce (or cranberry butter), stuffing, caramelized onions, cheddar & gravy. I love this sandwich and it will remain the legacy I leave on the world. That might be sad? I’m okay with it.
All that being said, I love to try a few new recipes each year to see what works and what doesn’t. Here’s what has caught my eye this year.
Mushroom & Leek Bread Pudding - It’s an Ina recipe so how could it be bad? Also, I think I love the idea of doing a bread pudding instead of a stuffing. Although I do love stuffing. So I might just make this and call it a mushroom & leek bread stuffing, which would solve everything in my brain.
Turkey & Cranberry Ravioli - Love this as an idea for leftovers. I just bought wonton wrappers and I. am. PUMPED.
Loaded Baked Potato Chips - I love when appetizers are individually portioned out already. Makes me feel like I’m at a rich person’s house.
Simple Stuffing - I do love the idea of making this for the first time. I’m just so worried it’ll taste SO boring so it’s a toss up between this one and old bread pudding at the top there.
Stuffed Mushroom Casserole - Genius idea! Absolutely doing this.
Southern Baked Mac & Cheese - Is this insane on a Thanksgiving table? Or is it just what has been missing?
Honey Garlic Butter Roasted Carrots - I can’t decide if my family will laugh me out of the house if I put these on a table and expect them to be eaten? We’re not exactly a “vegetable” family. (Hahah, is that like stupid apparent?? I put frosting on cookies for christsake.)
Peas & Pancetta - How could this not be good? But again… the vegetable conundrum.
Leftover Turkey & Stuffing Croquettes - These are giving me such strong crab cake vibes, I couldn’t be more into it.
Maple Pumpkin Gingersnap Tiramisu Trifle - I mean, this looks almost royal.
However you’re eating this great meal on Thursday, I beg you to try at least one of these. You will thank me greatly and everyone will love you.
Hoping you have a “Happy” “Thanksgiving!”