A New Take On Traditional Thanksgiving Recipes

A New Take On Traditional Thanksgiving Recipes

November 20, 2018

Are you looking to spice up your Thanksgiving recipes this year? I for one am excited about changing some things up to add more flavor to the menu this Thanksgiving.

We all get excited about the turkey, only to remember after that first bite, just how boring turkey is. And don’t even reach for the gravy, although it may add some moisture to the turkey, it’s outdated too.

Now, I’m one for traditions and love the idea of passing down family secret recipes. But what’s wrong with starting some new family secret recipes and traditions?


  Here are some delicious recipes you should give a try this Thanksgiving that are sure to be on repeat each year.     
               

Cranberry Cinnamon Pear Saucenew take on thanksgiving recipes

Talk about mixing things up. Gone are the days of the plain cranberry sauce or better yet, canned cranberry sauce. Here’s to starting a new tradition that will have everyone coming back for more. The combination alone has my mouth watering. Here is what you’ll need to make this dish.

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup water
4 cups fresh cranberries
1 cup dried cranberries
2 ripe pears, peeled and diced
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp salt

  • Rinse cranberries and place in a large saucepan
  • Add remainder of ingredients and stir
  • Cook over low to medium heat for 30 minutes
  • Stir frequently
  • Ready when the sauce is nice and thick

 

Sauteed Green Beans with Garlicnew take on thanksgiving recipes

I love green beans, now that I have started making them myself by sauteeing them with garlic. D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S! And by sauteeing them instead of bowling, you have a lesser chance of overcooking them. So many people cook their veggies too long which actually causes most of the nutrients to come out. Here’s what you need for this tasty dish.

1 pound fresh green beans, cleaned and trimmed or frozen cut
2-4 Tablespoons olive oil
3-4 cloves fresh garlic, minced or pressed
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
salt, to taste
Ground black pepper. to taste

 

  • Blanch the fresh green beans for around 7-8 minutes and drain well. Run under cold water to stop cooking.
  • In a saute pan, pour olive oil over medium-high heat
  • Add the green beans (frozen or blanched)
  • Add the garlic and saute for 5-7minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant.
  • Add the parsley and mix all together.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve immediately.

 

Mixed Greensnew take on thanksgiving recipes

Now, this one is my favorite. I copied this from a restaurant I used to work at, and it has been my go-to Thanksgiving dish ever since. If you are not a huge fan of collard greens or you just want to try something different, this mixed greens dish is the way to go. At the restaurant, it included fresh spinach and mustard greens. I have taken it upon myself to add kale to the mix for added nutrients. Here is what you need for my all time favorite veggie dish.

A bunch of fresh mustard greens

A bunch of fresh kale

A pack of fresh spinach

½ cup of water

2-4 teaspoons of olive oil

Salt to taste

Ground black pepper to taste

1 clove of fresh garlic, minced or garlic powder to taste

  • Rinse all veggies, removing stems
  • In a medium saucepan add the water
  • Add the kale, mustard greens, and spinach (in that order)
  • Add salt, pepper, and garlic and let cook for 5-8 minutes (until water is gone)
  • Add olive oil, stir and let sit 1-2 minutes
  • Serve immediately

 

Now What About That Turkey

Here are some alternative options to that old boring turkey.

  • Fried Turkey. This one is not so new anymore. Many people have already swapped out the boring baked turkey for a fried bird. The bonus for this is you don’t have to cook it yourself. Many fast food restaurants will fry your turkey for you or may even sale fried turkeys for Thanksgiving.

 

  • Just Go for the Breast. If the whole turkey is too much for you, just get the breast. You can glaze it, stuff it, wrap it (with bacon), put it in the crockpot, or smoke it.

 

  • Have the Legs or Wings. Sticking to just the legs and/or wings of the turkey is so much easier to prep and cook. Less cook time and so many options to choose from for preparation, this is a great alternative for the whole turkey.
  • Turkey Cutlets. Another option is to cook turkey cutlets, also known as turkey chops. With the cutlets, you have more freedom to make a variety of dishes like pecan-crusted cutlets, a turkey skillet all in one meal, pan seared, etc.
  • Go Chicken. Many people choose to keep it small and make a roasted, baked, or crockpot chicken.
  • Cornish Hens. Cornish hens is another great alternative as each person gets their own personal bird. And because of their size, you can do so much with them as far as cooking options.new take on thanksgiving recipes

 

 

 

Well, I hope this was able to give you some inspiration for shaking up your Thanksgiving recipes this year. Cheers to excitingly delicious food!

 

xoxo Tish

P.S. I’m thankful for so many things, but mostly God. Without Him I’d have nothing else to be thankful for. – unknown

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