Simplywanderfull
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Thanksgiving is my most favourite time of year! The weather is changing, the leaves are falling and cozy foods are in the limelight! There is nothing better than the warm apple scents coming from the kitchen as I prepare my feast for our Thanksgiving dinner.
There are certain recipes that I always make for the holidays. Recipes that feed a crowd and make my family happy! Here are some of my go-to recipes to share with you. I hope this can help your menu planning for your next holiday feast!
This elegant appetizer offers sweet & savoury flavours that are sure to please the palate. The sweet, caramelized richness of roasted grapes mingles with the creamy, tangy notes of feta, creating a harmonious contrast. All of this is elevated by a drizzle of fresh thyme-infused garlic oil, adding an aromatic depth that lingers on the senses. It is a wonderful elegant appetizer that is sure to WOW your guests!
This Recipe for BLT Bites is Delicious and simple to make! They really are a one bite wonder! Tomatoes, bacon, green onions, mayonnaise, parmesan, pepper all blended together makes for one decadent bite bursting with flavour!
If you’re looking for a savoury and delicious appetizer that’s easy to make, look no further than these Greek feta cheese triangles made with phyllo dough.
The combination of crumbly feta cheese, fresh dill and flaky phyllo pastry is a match made in heaven, and with just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up a batch in no time. Perfect for entertaining or as a quick snack, these triangles are sure to impress your guests and satisfy your cravings. They freeze amazingly so you will always have some on hand for a quick appetizer or snack!
This recipe is a symphony of seasonal flavours, where velvety roasted butternut squash mingles with the subtle sweetness of maple syrup, fresh thyme, apple that creates a harmony that warms both body and soul.
She recently shared this recipe for her Caesar Salad Dressing and WOW was a hit at my house! Aunt Fran has been making this recipe for generations and everyone agrees that this is some damn good Caesar Salad Dressing. I just love how she shared her recipe with me on a cue card that was written out years ago.
This Asian Cabbage Slaw is made with crunchy savoy cabbage, toasty ramen noodles, sweet cranberries, chopped green onions, edamame beans, red cabbage, julienned carrots, all dressed in a mouthwatering Asian-inspired vinaigrette.
Roasted sweet potato salad is a healthy, delicious and easy-to-make meal that is perfect for lunch or dinner. This salad is packed with flavour and nutrition, making it a great option for those who are looking for a tasty yet healthy meal. In this blog post, I will guide you through the steps to make a roasted sweet potato salad.
Papa John's Turkey Recipe
This recipe for Papa John’s Easy Turkey Recipe starts by making a simple brine, and then roasting it to perfection! The secret to this moist and flavourful turkey is letting it sit in the brine for 2-days before roasting. I am happy to share my dad, or Papa John’s Turkey recipe with you here:
Ingredients:
- 1- 11-15 lb. Turkey (Any kind but not Butterball)
- 2 apples, sliced thick
- 1 tbsp. Poultry Seasoning
- 1 tbsp. Garlic Powder
- Salt & Pepper
- 3 cups water
For The Brine:
- 2 cups Kosher Salt
- 2 cups White Vinegar
- 1 cup Brown Sugar
Directions:
Two days before your plan to serve the turkey you will need to place the turkey in the brine. To make the brine, add the salt, vinegar and brown sugar to a large pot. Stir the mixture until everything is dissolved. You do not need to heat it up first. Remove the neck from the turkey from the inner cavity and discard it. Let the turkey sit in the brine for at least 24 hours and even better to keep it in the brine for 48 hours for maximum flavour.
Remove the turkey from the brine and place on a baking sheet. Dry the turkey really good using paper towels.
Stuff the sliced apples inside the cavity. Tie the legs with string so that the apples won’t fall out.
Rub the turkey with butter, and season with pepper, poultry seasoning, and garlic powder.
Roast the turkey at 325 degrees for 4 hours. Remove the foil and baste the turkey. Cover the turkey once again with the foil and continue roasting for another hour. You can baste it as much as you like in the last hour. Using a thermometer check for doneness. The temperature must be 165 degrees to be done. When testing, stick the thermometer into the thickest part of the turkey near the leg and breast to get an accurate temperature.
Let your turkey rest, covered for 40 minutes and at least 20 minutes. Slice your turkey up and serve!
The Hunter’s Chicken or in french chicken chausseur is a French stew made with chicken, stock, veggies and mushrooms. I just love different cooking techniques and this recipe fits the mould! It is a beautiful recipe to memorize as it can be added to a weekly rotation and most likely a weekend dinner. This is also a wonderful recipe to make if you are having company.
This classic homemade lasagne recipe will bring a family together! It is my best-loved family recipe in our home and I have been trying to perfect it for years! It is a feast made with a whole lot of love. A delightful simmered meat sauce with a blend of cheese between layers of noodles. This recipe is oozing with goodness! Classic lasagne is great for feeding a crowd and therefore, the perfect recipe to serve for a party or the holidays!
This recipe for my grandmother’s scalloped potatoes is super easy to put together using simple ingredients found in your pantry. Made with golden potatoes, milk, butter, and flour. This is a staple dish that I make for every holiday!
This recipe for Roasted Garlic Parmesan Brussels Sprouts is next level good! Bursting with flavour and texture, this dish combines the earthy richness of roasted garlic with the nuttiness of parmesan cheese, perfectly complemented by crispy breadcrumbs and a hint of zesty lemon zest.
A classic baked sweet potato can be transformed into a mouth-watering dish with just a few simple ingredients. My twice-baked sweet potato with fresh thyme, maple syrup, cinnamon, and garlic is the perfect balance of sweet and savory.
Unlock a symphony of flavours with our delectable Roasted and Caramelized Sweet Potato recipe. As they roast to golden perfection, the natural sugars caramelize, creating a mouthwatering glaze that elevates this humble vegetable to a gourmet delight.
Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with our irresistibly crispy Parmesan Carrots. With a golden, cheesy crust encasing tender, roasted carrots, this viral recipe is a must-try for any foodie looking to elevate their snack game.
Indulge in the ultimate fruit crisp experience with this incredibly versatile and easy-to-make dessert.
The beauty of this recipe lies in the endless options of fruits you can combine. Whether it’s the classic pairing of apples and cinnamon, the tangy sweetness of berries, or the subtle taste of pears and blueberries the choice is yours.
Simply toss your chosen fruits with a touch of sugar, and a sprinkle of spices if desired, and top it off with a buttery oat crumble.
A true Canadian butter tart is a sweet and decadent pastry that has been a beloved dessert in Canada for generations. With its flaky pastry shell and gooey filling made with butter, brown sugar, and eggs, this dessert is a quintessential Canadian treat that has stood the test of time. Whether enjoyed at a family gathering, a local bakery, or a special occasion, the butter tart has become an iconic symbol of Canadian cuisine and culture. This recipe for Canadian butter tarts comes from my mother who always made butter tarts for every family gathering since I can remember.
This Hello Dolly dessert bar recipe is super easy to make and tastes amazing! Picture this chocolate, pecans, coconut and sweetened condensed milk baked over top graham cracker crumbs. They are rich and so satisfying. They are a hit with everyone that tries them!
Gram-Gram’s Shortbread cookies are always on the holiday dessert table! This classic recipe carries with it the warmth of countless family gatherings and the irresistible aroma of buttery perfection. Made with only 4 simple ingredients it is hard to imagine that these little bites could be so satisfying.
Experience the true essence of autumn comfort with our Instant Pot Baked Apples – the ultimate fall-inspired delight that perfectly blends convenience and indulgence.
Elevate your seasonal cravings with tender apples infused with a symphony of cinnamon, brown sugar, raisins infused in a little rum and maple syrup, all effortlessly crafted within the efficiency of your Instant Pot.
Nona's Special Cranberry Sauce
My mother in law makes the BEST Cranberry Sauce ever. Thanksgiving wouldn’t be complete without cranberry sauce on the table. Here is Nona’s most delicious Cranberry sauce recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 pkg. fresh cranberries
- 1 cup apples, chopped
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 orange, zested and juiced
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
- pinch of ginger
Directions:
Place all of the ingredients into a saucepan. Boil on medium until thickened. Rest in the fridge. Serve cold.
Grandma Millson's Stuffing
My grandma’s recipe for stuffing is so simple to make and just tastes great! Here is her famous stuffing recipe:
- 1-loaf of white bread, torn into bite sized pieces
- 2 stalks celery diced
- 1/2 cup of butter
- 1 packet of dry Lipton Onion Soup Mix
- 1/2 cup chicken stock
- Pepper
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Tear each piece of bread into bite sized pieces. Add pepper to the bread.
To a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add in the Lipton Soup Mix and celery. Cook until everything is mixed together nicely, approximately 3 minutes. Pour the butter mixture over the bread and add in 1/4 cup of the chicken stock. Mix everything together really good.
Butter a baking dish and then add the stuffing to the pan. Add a couple spoonfuls of the chicken stock over the top to moisten the bread mixture. Sprinkle some pepper on top. Cover and bake for 35 minutes.
Grandma Girl's Sunshine Salad
A sunshine salad is so good with Thanksgiving dinner. Its sweet and a fun side dish made with marshmallows, coconut, pineapple tidbits and mandarin oranges. My step mom makes this salad for every holiday and it is so good!
Ingredients:
- 1 container sour cream
- 1-1/2 cups miniature marshmallows, coloured
- 1 cup flaked coconut
- 1-10 oz. can pineapple tidbits, well drained
- 1 can mandarin oranges, well drained
Directions:
To a bowl, add sour cream, coloured marshmallows, and coconut. Blend and leave at room temperature for a short time. This will dissolve some of the marshmallows in dressing. Now add: the pineapple tidbits, and oranges. Refrigerate over night. Serve chilled.
Happy Menu planning
As we gather around the table this Thanksgiving, I hope these go-to holiday recipes inspire you and make your menu planning a breeze. Whether you’re hosting a large family feast or an intimate gathering with friends, these dishes are sure to bring warmth and joy to your celebration. Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with laughter, love, and delicious food. Happy cooking, and may your holiday be as delightful as the company you share it with! 🦃🍂✨
More Inspiration Here!
Bourek: A Step-by-Step Guide to Making Meat-Filled Phyllo Pastry
No-Boil Penne Pasta Bake With Tomato Basil Sauce Recipe
Almond Cherry Filled Amaretti Cookies
Effortlessly Elegant: Ina Garten’s Chocolate Mocha Icebox Cake That Will Impress Everyone
The Beautiful Azores: A 7-Day Soulful Outdoor Adventure Escape
