Thanksgiving Recipe Round-Up
Even with all of the Thanksgiving recipe round up posts I’ve read recently, I’m not tired of them yet. It’s always fun to get new ideas for holiday dishes and parties. There’s so much variety out there, and I think it’s fortunate to have so many diverse eating styles, cooking methods and techniques available on the internet.
In the style of many of my favorite bloggers, I thought it would be cool to make a list of holiday recipes I’ve been scoping out and/or tried. But here’s the kicker: none of them are my own. I figured I’d spread the link love around, especially when there are so many incredible dishes to choose from!
Thanksgiving Breakfast
Pioneer Woman’s cinnamon rolls. I made these for Christmas last year, and even as someone who’s extremely fearful of making homemade rolls and breads, it was a piece of cake. I can’t wait to make them again this year
Fruit platter
Green chili breakfast casserole (still need to ask nana for her recipe!)
Green corn tamales and red tamales (usually purchased from the tamale man)
(We usually do a Mexican breakfast for any holiday.. or any day that ends in “y,” really)
Thanksgiving Appetizers and Salads
Roasted butternut squash salad
Soups
Thanksgiving Sides and Entrees
Chipotle mashed sweet potatoes – I often use this recipe for squadron potlucks
Cranberry sauce <— the best
Sweet and sour brussels sprouts
Thanksgiving Desserts
Peppermint patty brownies -I’m actually going to check and use boxed mix for the brownie part and actually make the peppermint layer 😉
Chocolate covered orange peels
What’s on your recipe radar? What are you responsible for making this year? I kind of lucked out in the sense that I only have to do dessert.
Quite a few people have asked about my healthy eating strategy for the holidays. I’ll go ahead and tell you: there is none. I eat pretty healthy for the most part, but for parties and holidays, I eat a mix of whatever is there and enjoy every bite. I usually try a little bit of everything (minus the pork and beef stuff) and go back for seconds of the things I really love. One thing to remember is that the holiday is about the people, not the food, even though the food is pretty dang delicious 😉 Don’t stress about it.
One thing that frustrates me is seeing crazy workout and eating plans over the holiday season- now is the time to focus on maintenance, and hopefully your lifestyle is one that allows you the things you enjoy on a regular basis so you don’t feel the need to go buck wild over the holidays. You can read more about my thoughts on healthy holidays here.
My mentality about treats and so-called unhealthy eats has changed a lot over the years, but even more so since I had Liv. Now I’m just really happy to eat food that I didn’t have to make myself 😉
What is your favorite part about Thanksgiving? Our family always goes golfing after the meal
and plays poker. I surprisingly did pretty well last year but the Pilot came in for the win 😉
As much as I love Thanksgiving, I’m even more excited about snowman everything and Christmas lights. I busted the Michael Buble CD out today.
Hope you have a great night <3
xoxo
Gina
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I busted out the Buble Christmas CD today, too! 😉
As an Aussie we don’t do the whole thanksgiving thing. But that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy all the thanksgiving related posts 😉 In regards to the healthy holidays stuff- my eating habits and exercise is a lifestyle so I maintain it all year round. I don’t deprive myself for weeks only to go over board at christmas..it’s all about moderation and balance!
Nice roundup of eats, Gina!
Funny you mention that about Ree’s rolls! I just posted another bread/roll recipe and still have yet to try hers. Have always wanted to…but I don’t have as many kids as she does and don’t quite need so many 🙂
Have a great holiday and enjoy the brownies if you make them!
It’s our first thanksgiving as a non-long distance couple (i.e. actually making a turkey.. together), so I LOVE the recipe roundups! Also it makes me thankful for my parents for not being total beeetches when we were total beeetches as kids when they were trying to cook.
Oh man, I knew I was going to make those peppermint patty brownies the second she posted them!
I’m also making real cranberry sauce this year. I must admit I’ve never had the real thing. Which leads me to also admit….I sort of dig the canned stuff. Sorry? I’m not sorry. 🙂
I pretty much have one strategy for the holidays….eat whatever I want (not the whole holiday season, just on the actual DAY). I stick to my regular eating habits all of the other days, with a few bites of goodies here and there and I still workout regularly. That works for me.
WooHoo!! Let the holidays begin!!!!! Now, I suddenly hear Christmas music and cheesy holiday Lifetime movies calling my name.
We have a slightly Jewish Thanksgiving every year, and I always bring the knishes! I’m also in charge of sweet potatoes, stuffing, and a dessert (this year I’m making a pumpkin pie with a homemade gingersnap crust). It’s a lot of work, but I absolutely love it.
Christmas music is my favorite!
My new favorite album is PTXmas by the Pentatonix. Here’s a link to their version of Carol of the Bells, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSUFzC6_fp8, I bet you’d really love the album – their arrangement of “This Christmas” is so funky and fun!
I love your recipe round up! Such a great combo of different flavors 🙂 My husband would love if our families tradition was golf! Maybe I’ll think about making it one down the road! Enjoy your holidays! I brought out the Michael Buble too 🙂
I’ve been listening to Michael Buble’s Christmas album too. 😀
And what a great round up of recipes. I have those peppermint patty brownies bookmarked too – I can’t wait to make them!
I just got out my Michael Buble Christmas CD too–it’s thee best.
I love your holiday eating “strategy”! Finally someone else who understands that the holidays are not the time to lose the weight! I think everything in moderation is fine! Love the recipe list you’ve got. Those cinnamon rolls sound amazing.
What a great roundup! Everything sounds amazing.
Brussel sprouts with dried cranberries and pine nuts and pumpkin whoopie pies!
If you are making all of those desserts I’m inviting myself over!
I am making pumpkin whoopie pies, cheesy broccoli rice & a cranberry sangria!
Chocolate chip and bourbon pecan pies! It’s the first year I’ve been trusted with dessert, and my in-laws take their sweets VERY seriously 🙂
Cinnamon rolls sound like the absolute perfect way to start Thanksgiving. I’ve never made any yeasted bread product though, and I’m a little intimidated. Thanksgiving morning probably isn’t the best time to experiment with a new recipe (in case it fails) but it’s definitely on my radar now!
I suck at poker! But it’s still fun to play. Micheal Bubles Christmas CD is one of my favorites! He has such a sexy voice.
Definitely nowhere near getting tied of these recipe roundups. Us Canadians had our Thanksgiving last month, so I’m stocking up on some ideas for Christmas 😉 And I’m definitely eyeing those cinnamon rolls… I’ve always wanted to make them, but the whole process sounded so intimidating so I’m glad to hear that they’re pretty fuss-free!
In Canada our Thanksgiving was last month- but my strategy is very much like yours! Eat it, enjoy every bite, and not stress about it. It makes the holiday’s so much more enjoyable.
Though I am getting very excited for Christmas. And more so, December 1- as that’s the day my boyfriend and I are putting up the Christmas tree!
YES! THANK YOU for such a sane and welcome outlook on the holidays! Such a refreshing contrast to the ubiquitous chorus of “hurry up, focus on buring calories and cutting out foods (when you could be relishing in the joys of giving thanks for your blessings and spending time with loved ones)”…
“One thing to remember is that the holiday is about the people, not the food, even though the food is pretty dang delicious Don’t stress about it.
One thing that frustrates me is seeing crazy workout and eating plans over the holiday season- now is the time to focus on maintenance, and hopefully your lifestyle is one that allows you the things you enjoy on a regular basis so you don’t feel the need to go buck wild over the holidays.”
One of the many reasons why I LOVE (and an thankful for) your blog. Life is short and you are such a inspiring example of making the most of it. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!
I’m making this delicious spinach & feta dip! http://haleyeats.com/2012/11/18/spinach-feta-dip/
this post is amazing!! I’m making an app and dessert this year. Goat cheese stuffed dates and this sweet potato creme brulee that I’m scary excited for: http://www.southernplate.com/2012/11/sweet-potato-creme-brulee.html
that sounds insanely amazing
Which brand of canned chipotles do u use?
i’m not sure! usually whatever they have at target
Hi Gina! Thank you for the roundup, I was wondering if IOU had a cauliflower mash recipe that you use? I wanted to make that as a side with mashed potatoes as healthier alternative and I wondered if you had recs or a recipe?
i’ve found that it tastes WAY better if you add some sweet potatoes with it. here’s the version i usually make: http://fitnessista.com/2014/07/wardrobe-revamp-creamy-cauliflower-mash/