Thanksgiving 2020 (Recipe Roundup)
As I typed the title to this post, I was suddenly struck with the reality of what the holiday season will be like this year. Not necessarily bad or depressing, just…different. Smaller for sure, with less hectic traveling for many, which in some ways might actually make things more enjoyable. Still, for most of us, it’s not going to be the same. No matter what though, of one thing I am sure: there will be food. And that’s where I come in. So today, I’m sharing a pared-down, more small-gathering-focused slew of tried and true classic recipes for your Turkey Day festivities.
APPETIZERS
Most years, I’d share a bunch of salsas, hot, cheesy dips or sweet and salty nut mixtures, but this year it’s probably not a great idea to have people dipping chips or digging hands into bowls, so I’d say if you need an appetizer at all (and really the meal is the star here, so you probably don’t) I’d maybe do a nice cheese board or something like that and keep it really simple.
THE MAIN COURSE
Once again, I can’t help you with the turkey—that’s my mom’s department (full disclosure: I haven’t ever actually made my own!!) so here are some other “mains” that I think would make a great addition/alternative to your holiday table (I have actually heard that a lot of people are actually mirroring the uncoventionalness of this year and subbing out the traditional turkey for whatever strikes their fancy and smaller crowd).
2. Macaroni and Cheese, Sheet-Pan Style
THE SIDES
Normally, I’d share about 20 of these with you. This year the list is much shorter and I really just stuck to the classics. Most of them yield large amounts—you can either halve them or just bask in the glory of having lots of leftovers!!!Also, mashed potatoes are a must-have—but again these are a specialty of my mom, so I’m too intimated to try!!
Wild Mushroom and Brioche Stuffing
Savory Butternut Squash Crumble
Homemade Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Sherry Vinaigrette
Lemony Caramelized Roasted Brussels Sprouts
DESSERTS
This is of course where I usually would go all out, baking for a large crew to send home with goody bags and to enjoy at our home all weekend long. This year, I’m scaling way, way back and just sharing ideas for some of my favorite pies and a few cookies, of course!
Apple Crumb Pie or Cranberry-Apple Crumble Pie or these Apple Hand Pies I just shared earlier this week
Triple Chocolate Cream Pie with Oreo Crust
Chocolate Chocolate Chip Espresso Cookies
Happy Thanksgiving!! Here’s hoping we beat this thing in 2021!! Can’t wait to give everybody a big, non-socially distant hug and kiss!!
