Recently, I shared one of my new Thanksgiving turkey recipes on my personal Facebook page. One friend commented that she sticks with her traditional turkey every year.
And honestly, I get it.
Traditions are important. And traditional Thanksgiving menus can be such a brilliant way to connect to your past.
But sometimes, you want to give tradition a little nudge. Sometimes, you want to step it up just a bit to give your traditions a modern facelift. And that’s what this Thanksgiving menu is all about — the traditions, with a twist. Enjoy!
Traditional Thanksgiving Menu — With a Twist
Easy Roasted Lemon Pesto Turkey
A traditional turkey that’s coated with an unforgettable combination of lemon zest and pesto — delicious, but easy.
Hint: use pan-drippings in place of butter.
This fresh, sweet cranberry sauce has a hint of apple in it.
Homemade Jellied Cranberry Sauce
Love the can of jellied cranberry sauce? Did you know that you can actually make this holiday favorite with just a few simple ingredients? It’s delicious — and the flavor if better than the can.
Chestnut and Bacon Ciabatta Stuffing Recipe
You can’t have Thanksgiving without the stuffing (actually, this recipe is technically dressing) — and this version studded with chestnuts and bacon is always a hit.
Decadent Cheddar Mashed Potatoes with Bacon and Apples
Tradition meets mouthwatering deliciousness in these mashed potatoes. Seriously, these are anything but an afterthought.
Boiled carrots are boring. But roasting carrots brings out their natural sweetness — and even better, adding thyme infuses them with lovely herby flavor.
Lemon Garlic Roasted Green Beans
Psst! Green bean casserole has never been a favorite of mine. But these Lemon Garlic Roasted Green Beans are a lighter, tastier (in my opinion, of course), distant cousin that is perfect for the Thanksgiving menu.
While these are a lot like the classic sweet potato casserole, but served in individual portions — it’s a total no-pressure way to include this traditional dish in your Thanksgiving menu without having everyone feel compelled to dig in. Score!
Kate
Friday 22nd of November 2013
Sometimes you need to try some new things to make new traditions!