Thanksgiving Favorites

Thanksgiving Favorites

Thanksgiving is my jammmm! I know I say that for every holiday but I can’t help it. I love them =) This one, however, involves just sitting around while eating and drinking all day with family. No stress of presents or costumes. Just food, booze and family. Whats not to love?!

I usually host Thanksgiving and Christmas every year and as stressful as it can be I really love it. Michael deep fries a turkey at each holiday, which I love because 1. its delicious and 2. it frees up my oven for all the side dishes. He injects it with a cajun mix before he drops it in the fryer and let me tell you… holy amazing.

Since I am such a strong supporter of Thanksgiving I thought I’d share some my favorite snacks and side dishes of the day! Anyone can cut up some veggies and put out some dip. Well almost everyone… Leslie?

Any who… impress the fam bam this year and try out one of these instead! They are all delicious and I tried to only include the very simple ones. Side note- the pics above are from last year. I cannot get over how little Grey is!

Below I’ve list two appetizers and two side dishes. I use to go all out and make fancy pants desserts with hand carved turkeys on top, seriously, but everyone is also SO full after that I thought it was too much. I usually just get pies but my families favorite go to dessert is Homer’s Ice Cream… helpful tip-THEY DELIVER. The fam goes crazy for their peppermint flavor. My all time favorite is the sherbert. Either way, whichever flavor you love, they have it and its delicious. However, if you are looking to try out some healthy pumpkin snacks Grey and I have shared some of our favorites here!

Appetizers:

Baked Brie Cheese

This little appetizer is not only easy but DELICIOUS! I might even say my favorite? Bold statement.

Ingredients:

-circle of brie cheese

-crescent roll

-1egg

-pumpkin butter

-cinnamon

Directions:

Unroll crescent rolls. Place brie on one half. Add toppings (this year I’m doing pumpkin butter and cinnamon). Wrap up the edges and place the other half on top. Whisk egg and bush over. Bake at 400 for 20-25min. Enjoy warm =)

Cranberry Meatballs

This snack is definitely a family favorite! And by family favorite I mean I thought my brother in law was going to shed a tear of pure excitement when I made these one year. They are the perfect little snack to have throughout the day while everything else is cooking.   

Also, if you thought the baked brie was easy prepare for this… these are even easier! BAM.

Ingredients:

50ish frozen meatballs

14oz can whole cranberry

12oz cocktail sauce

1/2cup light brown sugar

1 cup water

1 cup bbq sauce

Directions:

Mix together cranberry sauce, cocktail sauce, brown sugar, water, and bbq sauce. Place frozen meatballs into crockpot and cover with mixture. Cook on low for 4-6hrs.

Sides:

Corn Soufflé

Every thanksgiving and Christmas I can remember had corn soufflé and that is something that I will continue. It is delicious and has gotten to the point where I now make two soufflés because there were never any leftovers! Its the easiest side dish to make- so easy I had my sister in law do it last year. Well she was supervised. But still!

Ingredients:

1 can whole cornel corn

1 can cream style corn

1 container sour cream (I use lactose free)

1 egg

1 box jiffy corn muffin mix

1/2 stick melted butter

Directions:

Stir all ingredients together. Transfer to soufflé dish. Bake at 350 for 1hr. The baking time on this varies. It often needs a little extra time but to check just stick a knife into the middle and if nothing comes out on the knife its done! SO EASY and delicious!

Green Bean Casserole

I was searching for a ‘healthy green bean casserole’, saw this one, and fell in love with the fact it has gruyere cheese. Yum!

Ingredients:

1lb fresh green beans (trim ends)

3/4cup sour cream (I use lactose free)

1/2cup grated parmesan

1/4cup grated gruyere cheese

1/4 panko

1 teaspoon garlic powder

Kosher Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions:

-Place green beans in microwave safe bowl. Add 1/4cup water, cover, and microwave 3-4minutes until tender crisp.

-Mix sour cream, salt, pepper, garlic powder and parmesan.

-Drain beans and place back into bowl- add mixture and coat the beans

-Transfer to casserole dish. Sprinkle panic and gruyere on top.
-Bake at 425 10-15mins.

(I’ll probably add on some crispy fried onions 😋).

Outfit Details/Inspiration: