Thanksgiving Menu 2012

I love Thanksgiving.

I love the chance to pause and be grateful and gather with family.

And I fancy the food.

It is nice to know that the Thanksgiving Day Feast is an opportunity to relish old traditional favorites with all the comfort and familiarity of a worn pair of jeans.

It is also a wonderful time to embrace new recipes and be grateful for variety.  Most years, our table is crowded with the traditional stars: turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes & gravy. But over the last several years, I've had fun introducing new dishes into our line-up. Sometimes, they don't catch hold and never make an appearance again. Others become fast friends.

 Like this, one of my new favorite fall desserts.

photo credit: mel's kitchen cafe

This year, we are going to my mom and dads, along with my brother's family. I have been assigned mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, and rolls.

Now, I love sweet potatoes, but I am toying with another option. What do you think? Should I stick with Vanilla Infused Sweet Potatoes or go bold with Spaghetti Squash with Jalapeno Cream?

My mashed potatoes this year will have a twist. For the traditionalists, I will make regular potatoes (with my secret ingredient....cream cheese). But I am also going to make a fancy batch with melted blue cheese, topped with caramelized onions and crispy bacon nubbins.

My sister-in-law is bringing a green salad and a vegetable. Can't wait to see what she does with those. She is a fun cook with beautiful ideas.


What will be your razzle dazzle this year? any new twists on old favorites? staying traditional? branching out? fancy? unusual? do you have a special stuffing recipe? cranberry sauce to die for?


I love to talk food. Please chime in...