Thanksgiving Survival Guide – I’ve got you covered with well-tested and creative recipes!
Nov 15, 2018, Updated Nov 14, 2020
My favorite Recipes for Thanksgiving – bursting with flavor and creativity. I’ve got you covered ~ from Soup to Nuts! Plus New Recipe: Prosecco Cocktail with Spiked Cranberry Syrup
Here are my favorite Thanksgiving Recipes!
Any questions… just write to me. See more recipes below.
When choosing a menu for Thanksgiving, think about your guests and their tastes, and any dietary restrictions.
Try not to duplicate too many flavors/ingredients.
I like to start with a soup… but not the largest bowl! (This you can make a week ahead and freeze!) Garnishes matter ~ adds an extra element of taste, and looks gorgeous.
Following – I love salads, so I serve a light and tasty one with fall ingredients.
The turkey is the star of the meal – so here is your chance to upgrade the quality of the bird … organic is great… a Heritage bird is divine.
Side dishes also round out the meal and can show some creativity.
Shop at your local farmers’ market for vegetables, herbs, salads and potatoes.
I make two potatoes – a mashed yukon gold, and a caramelized yam.
Choose Fall Desserts with complimentary flavors… one apple, one nut, definitely one pumpkin, one chocolate … and a seasonal ice cream.
Textures matter too! Creamy – chunky – smooth – crunchy – flaky…
If the gravy is not great, the whole meal suffers in my opinion ~ So please make my Marsala Gravy – it’s deeply colored with a rich flavor.
Wishing all a joyous and tasty Thanksgiving,
Karen
Soups & Salads:
Kabocha Squash Soup with Apples and Cashew Crema – Vegan
Thanksgiving Squash and Celeriac Soup with Harissa
Fall Salad with Pears, Pomegranate Seeds and Zesty Garlic Confit Vinaigrette
Winter Salad with Grilled Radicchio and Pomegranate-Macadamia Vinaigrette
Radicchio, Spinach and Kale Salad with Raspberry & Home Made Almond Oil Dressing
Fall Salad ~ Greens, Nuts and Fruits with a Pickled Radish and Apple Vinaigrette
Breads & Appetizers:
Karen’s Cornbread
Blue Corn Madeleines with Cheddar, Fresh Corn and Scallions
Goat Cheese and Garlic Pâté with Walnuts and Chives ~ Balsamic-Honey Drizzle
Lebneh Balls – Yogurt Cheese with Herbs, Spices, Walnuts and Olive Oil
Karen’s Cornbread
Tuscan Stuffed Mushrooms
Rosemary & Spice Mixed Nuts
The Main Course:
Roast Thanksgiving Turkey Basted with Fruit Juices and Marsala Gravy
Thanksgiving Turkey Marsala Gravy – the best, richest and most delicious!
Chunky Cranberry Sauce with Pineapple and Ginger
Chestnut Stuffing with Shiitake Mushrooms, Apricots and Fresh Herbs
Sticky Glazed Onions with Butter, Honey and Pomegranate Molasses
Roasted Carrots with Fresh Figs ~ Pomegranate Glaze and Pistachios
Karen’s Skillet Succotash
Hasselback Sweet Potatoes with Aged Gouda – Maple Syrup Glaze
Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Spiced Candied Pecans
Creamy Layered Purple & Ivory Mashed Potatoes (Perfect for Thanksgiving)
Sweets:
Karen’s Fall Apple Cake with Streusel and Caramelized Apples
Poached Pears in Spiced Red Wine & Pomegranate Juice (with Caramel Zabaglione)
Vegan Apple Raspberry Crisp
Pumpkin Cider Pie with Shortbread Cookie Crust
Caramel Vanilla Bean Vegan Ice Cream
Caramelized Apple Deep Dish Cheesecake Pie
Caramel Vanilla Bean Vegan Ice Cream
Chocolate Lava Cakes with Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffles
Cashew Caramel Lace Cookies