A Thanksgiving Menu For Serious Foodies
With rich flavors, unexpected ingredients, and not one, but two main courses (a bourbon-glazed turkey, plus a wild card), this delicious Thanksgiving menu is sure to wow your food-obsessed friends.
Brie With Caramel Sauce and Almonds
Caramel-sauce-drizzled brie is supersimple to prepare but far from basic.
Mashed Potatoes With Brown Butter, Goat Cheese, and Sage
Nutty brown butter, tangy chevre, and woodsy sage add intrigue to a rustic mash.
Candied Acorn Squash Rings
Marshmallow-topped sweet potatoes may have their loyalists, but now is not the time to bust out that classic. Instead, serve up a side that's just sweet enough, like these whiskey-brown-sugar acorn squash rings.
Green Beans With Caramelized Onions
Balsamic caramelized onions are all that farmers-market-fresh haricot verts need in the way of enhancement (well, aside from a pinch of salt and a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil).
Cornbread Stuffing With Bacon and Chestnuts
Bacon, chestnuts, leeks, plenty of fresh herbs, and maple syrup ensure that this cornbread stuffing is unforgettable.
Bourbon-Glazed Southern-Spiced Turkey
Southern food is continuing to have a moment throughout the country; tap into this by rubbing your bird with a bold mustard, paprika, and garlic paste and basting it with a bourbon-honey glaze. Make sure to reserve the turkey neck and giblets to make a simple stock; it takes gravy from good to great.
Caramelized Onion Cranberry Sauce
Caramelized onion cranberry sauce is about as far from the jiggly canned stuff as you can get.
Pan Gravy
Made with from-scratch turkey stock and plenty of cream, this pan gravy is simply superlative.
Pumpkin Tian
Even if there will be no vegetarians at your table, consider serving up this custardy pumpkin tian; it's a real showstopper both in appearance and taste.
Pumpkin-Pecan Pie
Show off your pastry prowess by baking off a double-decker pumpkin pecan pie.
Cranberry Gingerbread Cake
A slice of cranberry-swirled sticky gingerbread cake served with a dollop of billowing whipped cream is simply irresistible.