Thanksgiving is here!
I love Thanksgiving!
I love food, and Thanksgiving is about food if you ask me. Of course, there are the people you are eating with and the whole “thankful thing,” but give me a plate of fried turkey and some cranberry sauce and I wouldn’t care if anyone else was in the room.
There are some foods that just HAVE to be on the table to make it a Thanksgiving meal.
One of the many great things about the Thanksgiving Meal is the fact, that most of it is REAL FOOD. There just aren’t many processed goods making a scene next to the bird and whole mashed potatoes.
Which is fantastic, because I can eat as much of it as I want guilt-free!
Here are some of my favorite, MUST-HAVE, tried-and-true, Thanksgiving Dishes-
SIDE NOTE: Some of the recipes are from the Premium Section of the site. Go here to join.
THE BRINE
I figured I’d start with the brine since it happens first. You don’t HAVE to brine the bird if you are using my old fashioned roasted turkey recipe, but you can. And it will make it even better!
THE BIRD
Old fashioned Turkey recipe Here
Mamaw taught me how to cook a turkey the old fashioned way. It is the easiest turkey you’ll ever make.
No frying, no basting, no fussing, no kidding. It’s as simple as it gets, and it’s rockin’ good too.
This method will land you a WHOLE ridiculous bunch of turkey stock that you can use for gravy. If you look closely you will see all of that deliciousness chilin’ around the turkey. That stock can be used to fill the gravy boat. If there is extra, use it as the base for your turkey soup this week.
The Gravy
To make perfect turkey gravy:
- Pour 4 cups (or more) turkey broth from the pan into a medium saucepan. If you do not have enough turkey broth you can add chicken broth.
- Use a fork to dissolve 4 tablespoons of cornstarch into 1/2 cup of water in a small bowl or cup (use 1 tablespoon of cornstarch for every cup of broth).
- Whisk the water/cornstarch mixture into the pot of broth and simmer until thick (stir while thickening).
- Salt & pepper to taste.
Cranberry Sauce
Thanks to Mamaw, I will never eat the canned stuff again. This takes only a few minutes and is delicious served warm or cold (my kids prefer it warm).
SIDE NOTE: I have decided that I am a cranberry sauce connoisseur. I have eaten a dozen versions of this and I think Mamaw’s simple old fashioned recipe is the absolute best.
Real Mashed Potatoes
These creamy, buttery spuds are made with raw butter, raw milk, and real everything. They are wonderful and completely unprocessed. Delicious.
BRUSSELS SPROUTS
Sorry, I love baby cabbages. I could eat them 10 times a week. I have so many brussels sprout recipes here on the blog, but this is probably my favorite.
ROASTED BRUSSELS SPROUT RECIPE HERE
GREEN BEANS
These are simple and easy. I grew and canned these beans here on the farm and a little bacon and onion make them magical.
CORNBREAD DRESSING
This is my mother-in-law’s recipe and it is the best in the world.
CORNBREAD DRESSING RECIPE HERE
HOMEMADE YEAST ROLLS
It is not Thanksgiving without these rolls. They have the ability to make groan men moan. I often forget where I am when eating these glorious, soft, luxurious dainties. So amazing.
Did I mention they are made with freshly milled flour?
BEST EVER YEAST ROLLS RECIPE HERE
DESSERTS
I have added all of my favorite fall sweet treats here. Pick your favorite for the Thanksgiving Celebration.
Pumpkin Pie (all real ingredients)
I avoid processed food like the plague. My favorite pumpkin pie is not too spicy, not too sweet, not too runny and the pie crust has to be made with REAL butter. This pie fits the bill. It’s the only pumpkin pie you will want to eat forever.
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
Pumpkin and Chocolate chips were made to go together.
PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE CHIP MUFFIN RECIPE HERE
PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE CHIP LOAF
If you would rather make a loaf (because muffins can be time-consuming) here is a wonderful pumpkin chocolate bread recipe.
PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE CHIP BREAD RECIPE HERE
Pumpkin Spice Muffins
These are perfectly spicy and unapologetically moist. I love them with pecans!
PUMPKIN SPICE MUFFIN RECIPE HERE
Homemade Apple Pie
This is Mamaw’s blue ribbon winning apple pie.
AWARD WINNING APPLE PIE RECIPE HERE
Apple Tart
This apple tart is such a great dessert. It is not too sweet and loaded with apples and nuts. The first time I made it I ate the entire thing in one night.
Homemade Pumpkin Bread with Cream Cheese Icing
Even if you hate pumpkins – you’ll love this (and so will everyone else you serve it to). Soft, moist, sweet, spicy – it’s perfect!
Hope your Thanksgiving meal is outstanding, your gathering is wonderful and your loved ones are blessed this year.
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Happy Thanksgiving!
Candi
