Eats – An Un/Traditional Thanksgiving Menu

Turkey, cranberry, pumpkin pie: it’s all essential for a Thanksgiving meal. But it doesn’t mean it has to be the same old boring recipes. You can cook with familiar flavors like nutmeg, sage, and cloves while producing unfamiliar and exciting dishes that will be sure to wow your guests. Here are a few suggestions to get your wheels turning.

Roasted Butternut Squash and Chicken Liver Pate

An impressive appetizer that is easy to make and will have the the in-laws wrapped around your little finger. Try using duck liver instead of chicken liver and garnish with fresh sage for a proper ode to Thanksgiving.

Recipe on the Greedy Gourmet.

Apple and Beet Soup

Both good looking and good for you, this soup features seasonal and healthy ingredients that will rock any Thanksgiving get-together. Add more of the required liquids to make it thinner if you are serving as an appetizer. And forget the bread because there are plenty more courses to come.

Recipe on Country Living.

Butternut Squash and Sage Lasagna

Throw a little Italian tradition in your Thanksgiving menu by adding this gorgeous pasta course. It’s surprising, warming and yeah, absolutely delicious. Use gluten-free lasagna noodles for those guests with an aversion to wheat.

Recipe on Martha Stewart’s County Living.

Slow-Cooked Broccoli with Lemon Breadcrumbs

Broccoli – you either love it or hate it. But add some lemon and crunch from the breadcrumbs and everyone will get a little more in touch with their healthier green side. Consider this a warm-up to everyone’s inevitable New Year’s resolution: Eat better.

Recipe on The Kitchn.

Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes

As we’ve mentioned before, creamy, fatty mashed potatoes are sometimes so necessary. But don’t forget the potato is also a healthy vegetable chock full of potassium. Forget the butter and cream, mix in some olive oil and you’re back on track to a healthy side dish. Consider doubling the oil in this recipe to make your mash even creamier. Don’t worry, olive oil is the good kind of fat.

Recipe on Aloshas Kitchen.

Roasted Turkey Breast, Porchetta Style

If you don’t want to cook a whole bird, just get a skin-on turkey breast. It will save you time, effort and money. And there’s nothing like slabs of bacon to keep your turkey breast from drying out.

Recipe on Fine Cooking.

Individual Pumpkin Pie Brulee

Grab one of those kitchen torches because they are cheap and because they are torches. Don’t be intimidated by making the top “brulee” because it’s as easy as pie. Just aim your fire at a layer of turbino sugar and voila! You have made a super fancy desert.

Recipe on the Food Network site.

Cranberry, Pistachio and White Chocolate Bark

For a final course to nosh on while watching the parade and the 49′ers (!) try some homemade chocolate bark. Melt some white chocolate over some dried cranberries and pistachios. Sparingly sprinkle sea salt on the chocolate before it hardens. Once it’s solid, break it apart in large chunks and serve it with some espresso. Oh yes.

Recipe on Brown Eyed Baker.

What Are You Eating?

We love talking food. Let us know what your meal plans are for this year’s Thanksgiving so we can salivate at our computers.