Serve one light and one heavier appetizer. The appetizer, or as we call it in France, the apéritif, is designed to entice your guests’ palates and appease their hunger without filling them up before the meal. Include a vegetable-based kid-friendly option, such as Crudité and Pesto, so the kids get their veggies first when they are hungry. The vegetables may not stand a chance later, next to the turkey and stuffing.
Read more about the French Apéritif here.
Roasted Cauliflower Soup with Hazzlenuts and Bacon
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Both are light yet satisfying first courses. Full of vegetables and flavor but still kid-friendly. And they are uncomplicated to make.
Turkey and Gravy- The Easy Way
Take the worry and fear out of cooking your holiday turkey with this simple approach. Roast your turkey as you roast a chicken for a moist and juicy result.
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Take your mashed potatoes to a new level and try a parsnip or celeriac purée. The purée is a French way of serving mashed potatoes and dishes your family can enjoy year-round.
This recipe has the classic Thanksgiving flavors with a hint of sage. The sage is aromatic and adds a surprising layer of flavor. It is rich in vitamins A and C and antioxidants. Use the leftover sage for an easy Italian pasta dish, Burro e Salvia, that takes just minutes to make.
Fresh is always best, which is evident when you taste cranberry sauce made with fresh cranberries and orange zest. The scent alone as the cranberries simmer with the orange zest is tantalizing, and they yield a robust flavor that is both tangy and sweet. Cranberry relish is incredibly easy to make at home. Once you try it, you’ll never go back to buying it.
A classic dish and likely more appealing to kids than the Brussels sprouts. However, if the kids pass on this side dish, you already won the “eat your vegetables” game with the appetizer and first course.
A dish that is usually only scooped up by the adults, but sometimes the addition of pancetta entices the fussy eaters to try it. As was the case at my holiday table this year with 12 teens.
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If you normally buy your pies, try making them this year. These recipes are so easy you’ll be hooked on making them again year after year. You’ll see how easy it is to make this a fun family activity with the kids and start a family tradition.
Making whipped cream takes just minutes, and it’s superior to the store-bought versions. This one simple change to your menu will make a statement. Frequently when I serve homemade whipped cream, an adult or child comments, “I didn’t know you could make whipped cream. This is amazing.” If making whipped cream is not your norm, try it. You’ll see.
Read A Timeless Thanksgiving blog for tips on stress-free cooking your Thanksgiving meal and the best conversation starter. Click here.
