I have to thank my friends Erin, Nicole and Nancy for this post! Ryan and I are in the middle of a 6 weekend-in-a-row traveling frenzy, which has not left much time for cooking and blogging! However, I have received a lot of requests for Thanksgiving sides, desserts and snacks. First of all, I am extremely flattered that people come to me!! I am the first to admit I am not an expert, but I do love to cook.
I responded to each with a long list of ideas and recipe recommendations, some from Kettler Cuisine and some from other sites. I thought it might be helpful to combine all of these into a Thanksgiving Recipe Roundup! Especially for those last minute planners that are in need of ideas.
I may not be cooking, but I never stop thinking about it!
Turkey Day Starters (Appetizers)
First up, the appetizers. The quintessential beginning of a food-filled day! There is usually one rock-star appy that appears at the Hegele Thanksgiving Extravaganza (and yes, we literally call it that) - Trash! No, I am not talking about the waste-filled bin that stinks up your kitchen, I am talking about the most delicious, addictive, buttery, herby, chex-mix you can imagine. Luckily for you, I have already posted the recipe.
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| Fillo cups with Caramelized Fennel and Pancetta |
Other appetizer ideas from Kettler Cuisine past:
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| Grilled Jalapeno Poppers with Bacon |
Since I don't only cook from my blog, I wanted to also share some of my favorite recipes from fellow food bloggers:
The Side Show (Sides)
The side dishes that accompany the big bird on the Thanksgiving table are just as important as the turkey itself (especially for Vegetarians). I recognize that everyone has their traditions and I will be the first to tell you that we won't be doing anything different this year, but for those looking for a change of pace, here are some of Ryan and I's favorites:
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| Balsamic Red Cabbage with Bacon |
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| Roasted Garlic |
And of course, there has to be stuffing! My family does oyster stuffing, but oysters tend to be an acquired taste. Here are some other options that I have tried or want to try from the blogosphere:
Give me the Sweet Stuff (Desserts)
We are pie people, and we don't joke around with our pies! I am working on a pie crust post, since I use it in several recipes on my blog. Until then, you will have to get by with non-pie desserts for the holidays from KettlerCusine. But don't worry, I have listed some killer pumpkin pie options from other blogs a little bit further down.
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| Cherry Galette |
- Pumpkin Bars are a great substitute for the non-pie eaters. They NEVER disappoint!
- Chocolate Cherry Brownies for the chocoholics out there. Warning, chocolate coma ahead! Don't worry, I sneak in some whole wheat.
- Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble, for those not on the East Coast and actually have access to good produce outside the summer months.
- Cherry Galette can easily be made with apples or pears instead.
- Raw Brownies are my personal favorite, not to mention gluten free, dairy free, and good for you.
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| Raw Chocolate Brownies |
Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin pie is the standard dessert for Thanksgiving, so I had to represent! I have used a recipe from a local bakery called Fosters Market for as long as I can remember. It is my go to pumpkin pie recipe for the holidays, except that I always double the spices and use freshly grated nutmeg instead of already ground. Ironically, pumpkin pie is not the family favorite in the Hegele crew, so I usually end up making my own to bring. I CAN NOT, I repeat, CAN NOT have Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie. This year, I am making two pumpkin pies! My standard and then a dairy free version from 101 Cookbooks.
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| Pumpkin Bars |
More recipe ideas
I completely understand if you don't like my suggestions, in which case I hope you can find something from the below links. These are other recipe roundups from various blogs and sites I follow.
Most importantly, plan ahead as much as possible so you can enjoy time with your family. Thanksgiving is a time to be with loved ones and be thankful for what you have. I certainly am!
