Thanksgiving Recipe Round-Up

Due to my foot surgery, and the new lovely red cast that I just got today, I'm not cooking Thanksgiving at my house this year.  Which is a bittersweet thing.  On one hand I can sit with my foot propped up, drinking a Diet Coke, and watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.  On the other hand, I'll be missing about my favorite thing on the planet, which is cooking.  Even though it's a lot of work, and pretty grueling to prepare such a huge meal, it's really satisfying to watch the family over-indulge on things I've made.  Soooo since I'm not doing that this year (We are going to my in-law's to eat) I'm living vicariously through my foodie friends and all of the yummy things they'll be cooking.  Here are a few things I've found while perusing the blogs.  I hope you enjoy them, and are encouraged to try at least one new dish this year.  I'd love to be in the kitchen trying some of these out this year.  I might just have to prepare a belated Thanksgiving meal when this cast comes off and I can walk again.  These recipes look too good:

***THANKSGIVING RECIPE ROUND-UP***

APPETIZERS:  Here are some great things I found to get your Turkey Day meal started, or to hold your starving guests off while you finish up in the kitchen...

Serious Food For The Soul: Bacon Jam Bruschetta-Bacon Jam?  Be still my heart.  That sounds deliciously dangerous.  Taken one step further and made into a yummy bruschetta appetizer.
Lark's Country Heart:  Spicy Stuffed Mushrooms-This one has all of my favorites...Sausage, Hot Sauce and Green Chiles.  And it's SPICY!  You know I'm Devilish...
The Newlyweds Blog:  Cranberry Caramelized Onions Cheese Spread-Nothing says Thanksgiving like cranberries.  And combining them with blue cheese makes for a sweet, tart and tangy little starter that can't be beat!
A Healthy Jalapeno:  Baked Cranberry Apple Brie-Brie always makes for a simple, but elegant appetizer for any meal, but with the Fall flavors of apple and cranberry, it's the perfect appetizer for your Thanksgiving holiday.

BEVERAGES:  It's a holiday.  It's festive.  You have guests coming.  How about serving something to drink besides the usual coffee and tea???

Baking Bad:  Pumpkin Spice Cocoa-Get your Turkey Day started off right with a comforting cup of this yummy cocoa.  Or finish off the evening with a cup before your guests leave.
Everyday Mom's Meals:  Autumn Apple Brew-If your holiday kitchen doesn't smell good enough already, a pot of this simmering on the stove will make it smell wonderful!
Carolina Heart Strings:  Mulled Cranberry Apple Cider-Let your guests relax with a mug of this yummy brew while you work your magic in the kitchen!
Forkful of Comfort:  Candy Corn Cordials-Candy Corn Vodka?  Candy Corn isn't just for the kids anymore.  As if Thanksgiving isn't indulgent enough, try a little sip of this festive drink!
  

SALADS:  As if there's not enough to eat at the Thanksgiving spread, but I love a good salad.  Maybe I'm tricking myself into not feeling guilty about the extra piece of pie.  But I think a yummy, flavorful salad is a great addition to any special meal.

The Devilish Dish:  Salad Men Love-Men will love it, but so will everyone else at your Thanksgiving table.  Simple, so flavorful, and easy to prep in advance!
The Country Cook:  Classic Carrot Salad-This may or may not be one you remember from your childhood.  If it isn't a family favorite, it will be now.  Carrots, raisins and pineapple.  Healthy on Thanksgiving?  Yes.  And sooo good too.
Mommy's Kitchen:  Holiday Cranberry Salad-To me, cranberries are the quintessential Thanksgiving food.  No holiday spread is complete without it.  And incorporating cranberries into as many dishes as possible is a great idea.  Creamy, fluffy, yummy.  And a little bit sweet.  Have a spoonful next to your pie too.
Sumptuous Spoonfuls:  Pear Salad with Blue Cheese and Sweet & Spicy Nuts-Pears and blue cheese are a classic pair.  Added to mixed greens with Sweet & Spicy nuts makes for a delicious, Fall combination.

SOUPS:  Starting your Turkey Day meal off with a cup of one of these delicious soups is an ideal way to get the meal started.   Your guests will not be disappointed.

The Devilish Dish:  Pumpkin Bisque with Nutmeg Sage Croutons-This is one of my most favorite Fall recipes that I've created.  The soup is thick, rich and so delish topped with the herb-y croutons!
Chindeep:  Butternut Squash and Apple Bisque-Slightly sweet, slightly spicy with just a hit of curry and saffron.  A great way to celebrate Fall!
Basilmomma:  Potato Leek Soup-Basilmomma pays homage to everyone's favorite chef, Julia Child with her version of this yummy, hearty soup.

That Skinny Chick Can Bake:  Spiced Squash, Fennel and Pear Soup-That Skinny Chick can also make the most delicious soup!  Full of Fall flavor...



BREADS:  Go ahead and splurge and make some homemade rolls.  It's a special occasion and they are not hard to make.  Don't be intimated.  These blogs will walk you right through it.

Goodeness Gracious:  Monkey Bread Muffins-Okay so these may not be your choice for the bread you're serving beside the turkey, but I think these yummy muffins would make a great breakfast treat for your out-of-town guests.  How about sending your guests home with a little basket of these???
Deep South Dish:  Perfect and Easy Old Fashioned Cloverleaf and Crescent Yeast Rolls-I consider myself a little bit of a Southern Girl.  I call almost every type of bread and dinner roll a "biscuit."  And if there is one thing a Southern Gal knows, it's how to make a biscuit.  Or a Cloverleaf Roll or a Crescent Roll.  You can't go wrong with these.
Sharing Recipes:  Simple Corn Bread-Nothing says you have to make a yeast roll for your Thanksgiving meal.  Your guests will enjoy a great cornbread muffin just as much.
Isabelle at Home:  Wine Bread with Figs and Nuts-A quick bread means no yeast and no rising.  How simple is that?  This quick bread with wine, figs and nuts may be simple to prepare but the result is oh-so-elegant.

SIDE DISHES:  You can't enjoy that turkey all by itself.  No Thanksgiving Day meal is complete without a few side dishes to compliment that turkey and stuff yourself on!

Southern Plate:  Sweet & Sour Green Beans-This is one of my all time favorite side dishes.  It's a totally different alternative to the traditional green bean casserole.  Tangy, with a hint of bacon and onion.  So good!
Running With The Devil(ed) Eggs:  Spiced Roasted Candy Carrots-If the kids at your holiday table are turning up their noses at brussle sprouts, give them a big helping of these delicious carrots.  The kids will love them, but they are elevated in flavor so much that adults will too!
Bakeaholic Mama:  Loosen Your Belt Mashed Potato Casserole-Isn't loosening your pants what Thanksgiving is all about?  Is it wrong to wear pajama pants to the Thanksgiving table?  You'll want to if your meal inclues this yummy mashed potato casserole.  Rich and easily made ahead.  It's perfect.
Mandy's Recipe Box:  Baked Risotto with Asparagus and Spinach-I love the traditional dishes of the holiday like mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes, but I always like to add another side or two that brings something new to the holiday.  Last year it was Parmesan Marinated Mushrooms.  If I were cooking this year, it would be Mandy's Risotto.  Everything about this looks so yummy!


To Turkey or Not to Turkey:  I debated about having a main course section in my Thanksgiving Recipe Round-Up.  Everyone has their own way of making a turkey.  Roasted, Fried, Brined, Stuffed.  Or no turkey at all.  But then I decided what about folks that either don't want turkey or just want to try a new approach.

Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen:  Turkey Saltimbocca Roll-Ups-Most of the time we do up a big traditional meal with the whole extended family.  But back in Mr. Devilish' Air Force days, there were a few holidays that we spent alone, or with the company of just one or two guests.  These roll-ups are totally something I would make for that occasion.  Be sure and check out everything Bobbi made to go with it.  Out of this world!
A Dash of Thyme:  Roast Chicken with Meyer Lemon Shallot Sauce-There is no law that says you MUST make turkey for Thanksgiving.  Be a rebel, make chicken instead.   Personally I think turkey can be dry if not prepared correctly and the idea of a juicy roasted chicken with a lemony-shallot sauce would make me re-think the whole turkey thing.
Recipes for My Boys:  Chicken and Corn Bread Dressing-There is no recipe more comforting than chicken and dressing.  It's a Southern staple and this version would be a terrific alternative to the traditional turkey and dressing.  Rich, Comforting and Delicious.  Can someone make this for me NOW?
The Southern Lady Cooks:  Honey Bourbon Glazed Ham-Okay I'll confess, I'm not really much of a turkey girl.  Now you know why I've been wowing you with traditional turkey alternatives.  I am a ham girl at heart.  Whether it's Easter, Thanksgiving or Christmas, no holiday table is complete without a juicy ham!

DESSERTS:  You may have noticed by now that I post more desserts and sweets on my blog than just about anything else.  I love to bake and I love dessert.  When we go to dinner, I want to see the dessert menu first.  I will judge the entire meal and the restaurant based on their desserts.  I personally think it is the most important part of the meal.  It's the last thing folks eat, and what they'll be talking about for days after.

An Affair From The Heart:  Spice Cookies with Pumpkin Dip-In addition to not being the biggest turkey fan on the planet, I'm not the biggest pumpkin pie fan on the planet.  (I know, blasphemy!)  I do however LOVE these cookies and pumpkin dip.  I think it would be a great addition to your holiday meal, with or without pie.  I mean who doesn't love a cookie???
The Pioneer Woman:  Nantucket Cranberry Pie-As I mentioned before, pumpkin isn't my all-time favorite.  Honestly neither is pie.  Sorry, I'm sorry to admit it to you all.  I made this last year and it was a HUGE hit.  I personally loved it.  It's called a pie, but it's more of a cake-like crust.  No pie crust rolling out.  THAT is my kind of pie.
Not Rachel Ray:  Bruleed Carrot Souffle-This recipe is right up my alley.  Something that not only sounds elegant, but tastes spectacular.  Something that will really cap off the meal and knock the socks off my guests.  I would totally make this!
Spoons N Spades:  Chocolate, Pumpkin and Honeycomb Cake with Toffee Sauce-No meal is complete without a chocolate dessert option.  I know everyone else is indulging in pecan pie and pumpkin pie, but I cannot resist a lucious chocolate cake.  And toffee sauce?  Hello.  Love.