Holidays & Parties
By: Natalie DiScala
Ready to pull off a memorable Thanksgiving? You will be — we’ve rounded up all the recipes you’ll need, from startersto sides and mains to desserts, all sourced from some of our favourite Canadian bloggers. Enjoy, and Happy Thanksgiving!
Appetizer: Beet Hummus
Start your Thanksgiving dinner off with bright and beautiful beets. This easy-to-make beet hummus can be served on its own or paired with pita chips, veggies or focaccia. However you serve, it'll look great on your table!
Appetizer: Pumpkin, Tomato and Bacon Soup
Thanksgiving isn't Thanksgiving without a little pumpkin somethin'! But you don't have to wait until the end of the meal when you serve pumpkin pie for dessert to showcase this fab fall favourite. This hearty soup combines pumpkin with fresh heirloom tomatoes and bacon and makes a perfect starter.
Appetizer: Roasted Cauliflower Salad
Starter salads don't have to be boring! This salad's heft comes from roasted cauliflower, a Thanksgiving staple reimagined in an interesting (and tasty!) way. Served atop a bed of radicchio and romaine lettuce, this is a delicious way to ease into the Thanksgiving dinner.
Side: Pear and Cranberry Sauce
For many, cranberry sauce is the much-anticipated highlight of Thanksgiving dinner. This year, try this update to classic cranberry sauce by adding a Bartlett pear. The sweetness of the pear combines with the tangy flavour of cranberries to make a holiday favourite even better.
Side: Cauliflower Mash
Mashedpotatoes are a typical Thanksgiving side but consider this cauliflower mash instead. It’s super easy to make and we love that it’s a pretty healthy alternative to mashed potatoes (especially when they’re made with butter and cream!) This simple recipe calls for cauliflower and Greek yogurt and is flavoured with garlic, lemon, chives, salt and pepper.
Side: Parmesan Roasted Carrots
Not boiled carrots again! This Thanksgiving, toss the carrots into the oven instead of into a pot of boiling water and you’ll be amazed at the difference. It won’t take much longer to prepare the carrots this way (simply toss with olive oil and salt, roast and add a yummy layer of parmesan cheese) but the taste will be a world of difference.
Side: Healthy Holiday Stuffing
If you’re used to stuffing that’s almost as indulgent as dessert, you’ll be happy to give this leaner version a try. Packed with veggies, nuts and extra lean turkey sausage, this dish doesn’t skimp on flavour but leaves you feeling less guilty about having that second helping of pumpkin pie.
Main: Herb Roasted Turkey Breast
If you’re intimidated by the prospect of roasting a whole turkey or are having a small gathering and don’t need so much meat, consider a split bone-in turkey breast instead. It takes much less time to prepare but still allows you to serve turkey, which of course, is a holiday tradition and Thanksgiving wouldn’t be complete without it.
Side: Miso Butter Mashed Potatoes
There are so many different ways to prepare mashed potatoes but if you’re looking for a buttery and creamy recipe, try this one. It calls for chives and miso for a pleasantly savoury flavour and is the perfect complement to any Thanksgiving table.
Dessert: Mini Pumpkin Pie Tarts
Pumpkin pie is a Thanksgiving staple but we love this idea of individual mini pumpkin pie tarts. They have a light coconut flavour and the whole recipe is nut-free. They’re easy to make using a muffin tin lined with paper liners or greased well and are sure to be a hit with guests.
Dessert: Midnight Pumpkin Layer Cake
Pumpkin pie is used to being the star of the show but it looks like there's some competition in town! This incredibly decadent layer cake combines spiced pumpkin cake with a layer of dark chocolate cake, layered with chocolate chip cream cheese filling and salted caramel, all wrapped in a glossy dark chocolate frosting. Hope you wore your stretchy pants to dinner!
Dessert: Pumpkin Spice Pie with Maple Syrup
If you’re looking for a straight up traditional pumpkin pie recipe, we’ve got you covered. According to Aimee of Simple Bites, “a really good pumpkin pie needs pure maple syrup and thick cream to stand out on the dessert table.” No argument from us!