2020 Holiday Food Thread

[redheadbaker]

It's that time of year again. I know gatherings are discouraged, but I'm sure many of us will still be cooking and baking, even if just in smaller quantities. 

I just pre-ordered my fresh turkey, and bookmarking side dish ideas. I made these mushrooms last year, and they were so delicious, I'm going to make them again this year. buildyourbite.com/creamy-garlic-mushrooms/

[pixy0stix]

I'm making these today to snack on, as they scream holidays to me: therecipecritic.com/slow-cooker-cinnamon-almonds/

I plan on making stollen from scratch (including the marzipan). I have to do it early as it needs time to mature. I'll be following everything from this blog: www.daringgourmet.com/stollen-german-christmas-bread/

I made it last year with store bought marzipan, and my MIL raved about it.

[tacocat]

@ mention in the blog title. I'm sorry I couldn't find one without it, I'll update if I can.

Spicy ranch crackers. These were a surprising hit last year, did someone recommend them here?

www.momontimeout.com/spicy-ranch-crackers/

[rubytue]

Nov 1, 2020 14:13:55 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

I'm making these today to snack on, as they scream holidays to me: therecipecritic.com/slow-cooker-cinnamon-almonds/

I plan on making stollen from scratch (including the marzipan). I have to do it early as it needs time to mature. I'll be following everything from this blog: www.daringgourmet.com/stollen-german-christmas-bread/

I made it last year with store bought marzipan, and my MIL raved about it.

A bunch of years ago, my H was craving the Limpa bread his mom made. So I found a recipe and made it. My MIL asked for the recipe because everyone liked it better than hers. I was totally gloat cringing. 

[was5]

Thanksgiving will just be the people in our household. H and I have only hosted Thanksgiving dinner twice in 16 years and made the Good Eats turkey recipe. He's excited to be able to make it this year. www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/good-eats-roast-turkey-recipe-1950271

I'd like to try one or two new recipes for sides since I won't have a big audience. I'm looking forward to seeing some people's favorites on this thread.

[tacocat]

These were fun one year, I won't be able to bake but if someone is looking for a pumpkin alternative.

www.marthastewart.com/344826/pumpkin-whoopie-pies-with-cream-cheese-f

[scribellesam]

Someone posted this last year. It was amazing, I’m going to make it every year now. Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie

www.eatliverun.com/chocolate-bourbon-pecan-pie/

[eponinepontmercy]

pixy0stix, I make those almonds every year to give to my co-workers. They are so, so good.

[eponinepontmercy]

I randomly started a tradition of making cake versions of Italian cookies for Christmas dessert.  I'm not sure if I'll be able to keep it going, but here are the last three I've made.  They were all delicious.

www.brit.co/italian-rainbow-cookie-cake-recipe/


www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/mascarpone-cannoli-cheesecake-4488389.html?soc=itksocialsharedefault%7Cios%7Cp


www.tablespoon.com/recipes/italian-christmas-cookie-cake/acd1fbf2-241c-444d-940d-13594b3f22f6?utm_medium=social&utm_source=pinterest&utm_campaign=party&utm_content=bake&crlt.pid=camp.ovl8rpzovn67

[rondonalddo]

Since we're going to be doing the whole Thanksgiving meal ourselves, I'm planning on working ahead and freezing whatever I can. Rolls and pie crust tomorrow (I may decide to buy pies in the end, but having some frozen pie crust on hand is never a bad thing). Noodles and mashed potatoes some other day. We'll smoke some turkey legs and make honey sriracha Brussels sprouts and cook the noodles day of. Good cheese for snacking throughout the day. I do want to make something special to drink, and I think maybe we'll make it a candelight dinner.

[mrsukyankee]

As we are heading into lockdown until December, I'll be making Thanksgiving dinner and delivering it to my friends who were going to join us or we may wait a week later and see if things open up (I can keep the turkey frozen for an extra week).

[redheadbaker]

Nov 2, 2020 11:49:54 GMT -5 rondonalddo said:

Since we're going to be doing the whole Thanksgiving meal ourselves, I'm planning on working ahead and freezing whatever I can. Rolls and pie crust tomorrow (I may decide to buy pies in the end, but having some frozen pie crust on hand is never a bad thing). Noodles and mashed potatoes some other day. We'll smoke some turkey legs and make honey sriracha Brussels sprouts and cook the noodles day of. Good cheese for snacking throughout the day. I do want to make something special to drink, and I think maybe we'll make it a candelight dinner.

Cranberry sauce freezes well, too (if that's something you want to have). 

[BlondeSpiders]

Nov 1, 2020 14:45:23 GMT -5 tacocat said:

These were fun one year, I won't be able to bake but if someone is looking for a pumpkin alternative.

www.marthastewart.com/344826/pumpkin-whoopie-pies-with-cream-cheese-f

These look amazing. I'm not waiting until Thanksgiving to make them.

[msmerymac]

Nov 1, 2020 14:13:55 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

I'm making these today to snack on, as they scream holidays to me: therecipecritic.com/slow-cooker-cinnamon-almonds/

I plan on making stollen from scratch (including the marzipan). I have to do it early as it needs time to mature. I'll be following everything from this blog: www.daringgourmet.com/stollen-german-christmas-bread/

I made it last year with store bought marzipan, and my MIL raved about it.

OMG my grandmother used to make stollen. Thank you for that. I should try it this year. 

[mrsukyankee]

I'm making two new to Thanksgiving recipes (but not to me):

Honey Balsmic Goats Cheese Dip

Pecan Slab Pie  (but subbing maple syrup and a bit of flour for the corn syrup as it's not readily available in England)

[litebright]

This is our new-favorite pumpkin pie. It's sort of half pumpkin, half pecan pie. SO GOOD, and I'm not even a fan of pecan pie.

www.mastercook.com/app/Recipe/WebRecipeDetails?recipeId=15879803

Every year, I make a point to try something new, either a new dessert, a variation on fresh cranberry sauce or some other side. DH is a firm traditionalist, but if I always made one regular pumpkin pie and one regular apple pie, I would've never made the pumpkin praline, which is his new favorite.

Sometimes the new things aren't keepers -- last year one of the things I made was a cranberry chutney and no one particularly cared for it. But I like trying!

This year I've been going through tons of side-dish recipes, trying to figure out what I want to go with. We've done brussels sprouts the the last few years, and I think I'd rather do something with green beans this year. NOT green bean casserole though. I've made that for extended-family T-Days and even from scratch, it's a thumbs-down for me. So green bean-something and maybe a non-dairy corn casserole.

I'm also thinking about adding some kind of (non-alcoholic) punch/beverage/mocktail.

[tacocat]

Nov 2, 2020 13:10:05 GMT -5 BlondeSpiders said:

Nov 1, 2020 14:45:23 GMT -5 tacocat said:

These were fun one year, I won't be able to bake but if someone is looking for a pumpkin alternative.

www.marthastewart.com/344826/pumpkin-whoopie-pies-with-cream-cheese-f

These look amazing. I'm not waiting until Thanksgiving to make them.

I might order some from goldbelly instead of pumpkin pie, Do something different.

[was5]

Nov 2, 2020 15:58:49 GMT -5 litebright said:

This is our new-favorite pumpkin pie. It's sort of half pumpkin, half pecan pie. SO GOOD, and I'm not even a fan of pecan pie.

www.mastercook.com/app/Recipe/WebRecipeDetails?recipeId=15879803

Every year, I make a point to try something new, either a new dessert, a variation on fresh cranberry sauce or some other side. DH is a firm traditionalist, but if I always made one regular pumpkin pie and one regular apple pie, I would've never made the pumpkin praline, which is his new favorite.

Sometimes the new things aren't keepers -- last year one of the things I made was a cranberry chutney and no one particularly cared for it. But I like trying!

This year I've been going through tons of side-dish recipes, trying to figure out what I want to go with. We've done brussels sprouts the the last few years, and I think I'd rather do something with green beans this year. NOT green bean casserole though. I've made that for extended-family T-Days and even from scratch, it's a thumbs-down for me. So green bean-something and maybe a non-dairy corn casserole.

I'm also thinking about adding some kind of (non-alcoholic) punch/beverage/mocktail.

I think I might try the pumpkin praline pie. I like pumpkin pie and pecan pie. H is more of an apple pie person so he can make that.

[lauralala]

litebright That pie looks amazing. I am going to have to save that recipe for another time, since I am moving the weekend after Thanksgiving and will not be baking this year.

[JayhawkGirl]

I’ll make pumpkin pie and deliver one to my mom and one to my sister.

If it’s nice out, we are going to driveway dine with my parents and probably just grill burgers, rather than the traditional feast.

[bimbi284]

I ordered our vegan roast and other goodies from Herbivorous Butcher in Minneapolis for this TG. Of course this week all of my other favorite vegan chefs and caterers have their own versions up and now I want them all!

Here’s the one we ordered:
www.theherbivorousbutcher.com/products/turkey-free-feast-pack

It includes a stuffed roast, and a ton of other stuff that we can use for breakfasts and desserts (breakfast sausage and ‘mallows).

I’ll likely still make some sort of vegan dessert or perhaps order one. I’m waiting to see what my fave local bakers are planning to make this year before deciding.

If you’re local to Chicago and need vegan options this TG I recommend Handlebar, Herbivore Chicago, and Fancy Plants Cafe!

[marie]

Nov 1, 2020 14:13:55 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

I'm making these today to snack on, as they scream holidays to me: therecipecritic.com/slow-cooker-cinnamon-almonds/

Oh, wow.  I need to try this recipe this week!  Looks so yummy and easy.

[tiramisu]

I'm going to be making semolina bread. That's been my go-to quarantine bread and my parents haven't had a chance to try it yet.
vintagekitchennotes.com/semolina-bread/


I may also make these cupcakes again. Vanilla chai pumpkin latte cupcakes with brown sugar cinnamon buttercream.
www.halfbakedharvest.com/chai-pumpkin-latte-cupcakes/#bo-recipe

[aliciaflorrick]

It will just be H & I for Thanksgiving so we ordered a turkey breast from a local restaurant.

I will do a couple of sides but nothing too elaborate but I am going to make this pumpkin flan that I am excited to try.

thenoshery.com/flan-de-calabaza-pumpkin-flan/

[gardengal]

Nov 2, 2020 15:03:28 GMT -5 mrsukyankee said:

I'm making two new to Thanksgiving recipes (but not to me):

Honey Balsmic Goats Cheese Dip

Pecan Slab Pie  (but subbing maple syrup and a bit of flour for the corn syrup as it's not readily available in England)

It’ll add flavor, not be neutral, but you could use golden syrup. I’ve done your reverse: used corn syrup w a bit of honey to replace golden syrup in recipes

[mrsukyankee]

gardengal, thanks, that's a good idea. I do like golden syrup.

[lemoncupcake]

Any vegetarians here? I'm new to it, just started over the summer, and it looks like we will be at home with just us this Thanksgiving. 99.99% of what I love about Thanksgiving is carbs, so I'm planning for the usual mashed potatoes, dressing, corn casserole, green bean casserole, salad and pies. I'm all for the nostalgia. 


I'm not sure if I should attempt a vegetarian "main" roast type thing or just skip it? My DH still eats meat so he might veto me and go pick up a small turkey breast somewhere. 

[SusanBAnthony]

Nov 7, 2020 8:41:02 GMT -5 lemoncupcake said:

Any vegetarians here? I'm new to it, just started over the summer, and it looks like we will be at home with just us this Thanksgiving. 99.99% of what I love about Thanksgiving is carbs, so I'm planning for the usual mashed potatoes, dressing, corn casserole, green bean casserole, salad and pies. I'm all for the nostalgia. 


I'm not sure if I should attempt a vegetarian "main" roast type thing or just skip it? My DH still eats meat so he might veto me and go pick up a small turkey breast somewhere. 

Our whole fam is veg but if my dad visits he wants meat. We get him a breast from the grocery rotisserie bar.

We like Quorn Roast and for many years did veg versions of traditional Thanksgiving. Now we have abandoned that and get sushi or Thai or something.

[munkii]

Nov 7, 2020 8:41:02 GMT -5 lemoncupcake said:

Any vegetarians here? I'm new to it, just started over the summer, and it looks like we will be at home with just us this Thanksgiving. 99.99% of what I love about Thanksgiving is carbs, so I'm planning for the usual mashed potatoes, dressing, corn casserole, green bean casserole, salad and pies. I'm all for the nostalgia. 


I'm not sure if I should attempt a vegetarian "main" roast type thing or just skip it? My DH still eats meat so he might veto me and go pick up a small turkey breast somewhere. 

I usually make a Quorn roast. I like that it's plain enough that I can season it however I want; plus, it has a good texture and isn't dry. I've tried Tofurkey roast (not my favorite) and Field Roast Celebration roast (ok), but Quorn has stayed at the top for me. Quorn is not vegan, if that's a concern. Lots of people make a lentil loaf (kind of like meatloaf), and that can be super delicious. However, there's nothing wrong with only eating sides--they are the best thing, after all. 

[SusanBAnthony]

I do like the tofurkey roast stuffed with stuffing. It gives me a taste of stuffing without having to make a when pan for only wanting a couple bites.