First don’t take this the wrong way. I’m not asking to make Thanksgiving. I am very fortune that my husband’s and my families live close to each other, so we celebrate not just one but TWO Thanksgivings each year. One at 2pm and one around 6pm. Yes, it is a little insane. But over time, we adapt. Small portions, pass on the first dessert, lots of water and easy on the booze early on–all great tips on how to eat two times the calories you’d probably consume in a week 🙂 I also cheat a bit. Don’t tell anyone, but I’m actually not a huge fan of turkey. Both families have perfected a moist, tender turkey, but still it just doesn’t really appeal. So it’s easy to skip a big part of that.

I’m excited to one day host my first Thanksgiving. I’ve certainly offered, but with our family being in New Jersey, they’re not always that keen on traveling to Brooklyn. Plus, we would only be able to host a more intimate dinner–10, 12 people max. Not the usual 15 or more we have. Even though I’ve never hosted Thanksgiving, I’ve certainly thought about it. So here’s my thoughts on Thanksgiving and how I would serve the menu. A collection of recipes I’ve collected over time, some of my own blog recipes and recipes to come (hint: check back to find the recipes over the next week or so).

Appetizer

Baked Brie with Boozy Cranberries

Butternut Squash, Ricotta and Sage Crostini

♦ ♦ ♦

First Course

Curried Apple Butternut Squash Soup

♦ ♦ ♦

Main Course

Cider Glazed Turkey with Lager Gravy

Sourdough Stuffing with Sausage, Apples and Raisins

Sinful Gratin Potatoes

Sauteed Green Beans with Butter and Toasted Pine Nuts (no recipe)

♦ ♦ ♦

Dessert

Dutch Apple Pie

Sweet Potato Cupcakes with Bruleed Marshmallow Cream

♦ ♦ ♦

A few closing notes. I know people are a huge fan of yams or sweet potatoes with their turkey, but it’s never been a big thing for me. I’d rather gorge on regular potato gratin or mashed potatoes and save the surprise of sweet potatoes for dessert. You’ll also notice there’s no recipe or mention of cranberry sauce. I LOVE cranberries and cranberry sauce but for reasons still not understandable to even me, I worship the cranberry log. I know it’s awful (looking and for you), but it reminds me of childhood. I only have it on Thanksgiving, and just a slice or two, but it’s a guilty pleasure I’ll probably never outgrow.

Related articles

• Pecan, Cranberry, Apple, & Goat Cheese Stuffed Sweet Potatoes (thiscountrygirlcooks.com)
• Thanksgiving Recipe Round Up 2 (kokolikes.com)
• 5 Thanksgiving Menus: Traditional to Vegan (wholefoodsmarket.com)
• On The {Thanksgiving} Menu (beccatochman.com)