Cooking for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and it’s time to plan the menu and make those shopping lists! If you are trying to keep your entrees on the healthy side this year, here’s some ideas to help create your healthy meal, still keeping it simple, and without sacrificing any of the flavor your family and friends count on every year.

I remember my first year of Whole30 and trying to change things up a bit at Thanksgiving, traditions can be challenging to adjust, change isn’t easy for some! But I survived and am still part of the family 😁. Instead of the classic green bean casserole (canned green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and canned french fried onions) that had been served for several generations, I made a recipe with fresh green beans, homemade mushroom soup, and my own crispy caramelized onions on the top. It got a couple of second looks, and a few “what’s this?”, but it was super good and everyone loved it. It’s just change, sometimes hard to accept, until you take the first bite!

Here’s some ideas to get you started -

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus - a simple appetizer everyone will love. Wrap thin sliced bacon strips around pieces of asparagus and roast at 400 for about 20 minutes or until the bacon is crispy.

Charcuterie Board - an appetizer that will certainly keep your guests happy while you finish off those last minute dinner preparations.

Roasted Blue Hubbard Squash - a great replacement for something with marshmallows on top!! Your guests will thank you 😀

Sweet Potato & Spinach Quinoa Salad - The flavors of sweet potato and dried cranberries blend perfectly with a roasted turkey.

Roasted Broccoli Salad - An ideal vegetable side dish to compliment any Thanksgiving meal.

Roasted Beet Salad - The beets can be roasted a day or two in advance and the dressing mixed and stored ahead of time, resulting in a side salad that’s quick to prepare on your busy day.

Dessert - This one is a bit harder, there is an even stronger risk of being banned from the family if the traditional pumpkin or pecan pie isn’t around, so you may just want to have those available. However, you can always add another option! Place some mixed berries - blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, etc - in a wine glass, drizzle with a tablespoon of coconut milk, then sprinkle with chopped pecans or walnuts and add a sprig of mint. Oh my, you have presentation and flavor too!

Happy Travels, Happy Cooking, and Happy Thanksgiving - enjoy!