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Classic Thanksgiving Feast

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Classic Thanksgiving Feast

Roasted Butternut Squash Dip

Terrific with toasted baguette slices or pita chips, this creamy, sweet-savory roasted butternut squash dip can be prepared up to three days in advance.

Roasted Butternut Squash Dip

Ingredients

  • 1 (2-pound) butternut squash
  • 1 small Walla Walla or other sweet onion, trimmed and quartered
  • 4 garlic cloves, unpeeled
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons crème fraîche or whole sour cream
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°.

Cut squash in half lengthwise; discard seeds and membrane. Brush cut sides of squash halves, cut sides of onion quarters, and garlic cloves with oil. Arrange squash halves, cut sides down, on a jelly-roll pan; arrange onion quarters and garlic cloves on pan. Bake at 350° for 45 minutes or until tender. Cool slightly. Peel squash. Squeeze garlic cloves to extract pulp.

Place squash, onion, and garlic pulp in a food processor; process until smooth. Add crème fraîche and remaining ingredients; process to combine. Serve warm.

Cooking Light NOVEMBER 2004

Spinach-Pear Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette

A fresh salad featuring ripe fall pears is a welcome addition to the Thanksgiving table. Save time by using packaged, prewashed spinach. Prepare and refrigerate the vinaigrette up to two days ahead, and shave and refrigerate the cheese up to one day ahead.

Spinach-Pear Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette Photo by: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Melanie J. Clarke

Ingredients

  • 2 Bosc pears, cored and thinly sliced
  • 1 (6-ounce) package fresh baby spinach
  • 3 tablespoons water
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 5 teaspoons extravirgin olive oil
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons stone-ground mustard
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup (1 ounce) shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Preparation

Combine pear slices and spinach in a large bowl. Combine water and the next 6 ingredients (through pepper), stirring with a whisk. Drizzle vinaigrette over salad, and toss gently to coat. Sprinkle with cheese.

Cooking Light NOVEMBER 2004

Apple Cider-Brined Turkey with Savory Herb Gravy

This turkey is a pleasure to offer on your table. It's incredibly moist and flavorful, and it received our highest Test Kitchens rating. Brining is an overnight process, so if you're using a frozen turkey, be sure to thaw it well in advance. Choose turkey-sized plastic oven bags for brining the turkey. Use two bags to prevent brine from leaking, and place the turkey in a large stockpot as another precaution. This recipe goes with Savory Herb Gravy.

Apple Cider-Brined Turkey with Savory Herb Gravy Photo by: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Melanie J. Clarke

Ingredients

  • Brine:
  • 8 cups apple cider
  • 2/3 cup kosher salt
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon black peppercorns, coarsely crushed
  • 1 tablespoon whole allspice, coarsely crushed
  • 8 (1/8-inch-thick) slices peeled fresh ginger
  • 6 whole cloves
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 (12-pound) fresh or frozen turkey, thawed
  • 2 oranges, quartered
  • 6 cups ice
  • Remaining ingredients:
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 4 sage leaves
  • 4 thyme sprigs
  • 4 parsley sprigs
  • 1 onion, quartered
  • 1 (14-ounce) can fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and divided
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided

Preparation

To prepare brine, combine first 8 ingredients in a large saucepan; bring to a boil. Cook 5 minutes or until sugar and salt dissolve. Cool completely.

Remove giblets and neck from turkey; reserve for Savory Herb Gravy. Rinse turkey with cold water; pat dry. Trim excess fat. Stuff body cavity with orange quarters. Place a turkey-sized oven bag inside a second bag to form a double thickness. Place bags in a large stockpot. Place turkey inside inner bag. Add cider mixture and ice. Secure bags with several twist ties. Refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours, turning occasionally.

Preheat oven to 500º.

Remove turkey from bags, and discard brine, orange quarters, and bags. Rinse turkey with cold water; pat dry. Lift wing tips up and over back; tuck under turkey. Tie legs together with kitchen string. Place garlic, sage, thyme, parsley, onion, and broth in the bottom of a roasting pan. Place roasting rack in pan. Arrange turkey, breast side down, on roasting rack. Brush turkey back with 1 tablespoon butter; sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon pepper and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Bake at 500º for 30 minutes.

Reduce oven temperature to 350º.

Remove turkey from oven. Carefully turn turkey over (breast side up) using tongs. Brush turkey breast with 1 tablespoon butter; sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon pepper and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Bake at 350º for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a thermometer inserted into meaty part of thigh registers 170º (make sure not to touch bone). (Shield the turkey with foil if it browns too quickly.) Remove turkey from oven; let stand 20 minutes. Reserve pan drippings for Savory Herb Gravy. Discard skin before serving; serve with gravy.

Note: Nutritional analysis includes Savory Herb Gravy.

Cooking Light NOVEMBER 2004

Herbed Bread Stuffing with Mushrooms and Sausage

Making your own bread cubes is easy and yields delicious results. You can prepare the toasted bread cubes two to three days before Thanksgiving; store at room temperature in a zip-top plastic bag. If there's space in the oven, bake the stuffing while the turkey roasts. Otherwise, bake it in the morning, and reheat it while the turkey stands.

Herbed Bread Stuffing with Mushrooms and Sausage Photo by: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Melanie J. Clarke

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds peasant-style white bread
  • 4 (4-ounce) links sweet turkey Italian sausage
  • 2 teaspoons butter
  • 1 pound cremini mushrooms, quartered
  • Cooking spray
  • 2 cups chopped onion
  • 1 1/4 cups chopped carrot
  • 1 1/4 cups chopped celery
  • 1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh sage
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 (14-ounce) can fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400°.

Trim crust from bread. Cut bread into 1 1/2-inch cubes. Arrange bread cubes in a single layer on 2 jelly-roll pans. Bake at 400° for 10 minutes or until toasted.

Reduce oven temperature to 350°.

Cook sausage in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat 10 minutes, browning on all sides. Remove from pan; cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices.

Melt butter in skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms; sauté 4 minutes. Combine bread cubes, sausage, and mushrooms in a large bowl.

Heat skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add onion, carrot, and celery; sauté 5 minutes or until lightly browned. Add parsley, thyme, sage, salt, and pepper; sauté 1 minute. Add to bread mixture. Combine eggs and broth, stirring with a whisk. Add to bread mixture; toss to coat. Spoon into a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 45 minutes or until browned.

Cooking Light NOVEMBER 2004

Brown Sugar-Glazed Sweet Potato Wedges

Make this tasty brown sugar-glazed sweet potato side dish up to two days ahead, and store, covered, in the refrigerator. Reheat at 350°, covered, for 20 minutes or until heated through; if desired, finish the dish under the broiler to recrisp the edges of the sweet potato.

Brown Sugar-Glazed Sweet Potato Wedges Photo by: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Melanie J. Clarke

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick
  • 4 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled, cut in half crosswise, and cut into 1/2-inch wedges
  • Cooking spray

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400°.

Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add sugar, water, salt, nutmeg, ginger, and cinnamon; bring to a simmer. Cook 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Discard cinnamon stick. Combine sugar mixture and potato wedges in a large bowl; toss well to coat. Arrange potato mixture on a large jelly-roll pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 400° for 40 minutes or until tender, stirring after 20 minutes.

Cooking Light NOVEMBER 2004

Shredded Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Hazelnuts

Bacon and hazelnuts make this Brussels sprouts recipe appealing to even the pickiest eater. To get a head start on dinner, cut the bacon and slice the sprouts in the morning. You can toast the nuts up to two days ahead.

Shredded Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Hazelnuts Photo by: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Melanie J. Clarke

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup chopped bacon (about 3 slices)
  • 1/2 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
  • 13 cups thinly sliced Brussels sprouts (about 2 pounds)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons chopped hazelnuts, toasted

Preparation

Cook bacon in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat 4 minutes or until crisp. Remove the bacon from pan, reserving 1 1/2 teaspoons drippings in pan; set bacon aside. Add chicken broth to pan; bring to a simmer. Add sliced Brussels sprouts; cook 4 minutes or until crisp-tender, stirring frequently. Sprinkle with salt and ground black pepper, tossing gently to combine. Sprinkle evenly with bacon and hazelnuts. Serve immediately.

Quick tip: Use a food processor's thin slicing blade attachment to prepare the Brussels sprouts.

Cooking Light NOVEMBER 2004

Cranberry-Pear Chutney

This ruby-colored relish can be made up to three weeks ahead and stored in airtight jars until you are ready to serve. It also makes a great hostess gift when packed in small, decorative glass jars.

Cranberry-Pear Chutney

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 2 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks
  • 1 (12-ounce) package fresh cranberries
  • 2 cups chopped peeled Bosc pear (about 3 medium)
  • 1 cup chopped peeled Granny Smith apple (about 1 small)
  • 3/4 cup golden raisins
  • 1/3 cup chopped onion
  • 1/4 cup chopped crystallized ginger
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Preparation

Combine first 6 ingredients in a large saucepan; bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes or until cranberries begin to pop. Stir in pear, apple, raisins, onion, and ginger; cook 20 minutes or until fruit is tender. Remove from heat; stir in juice. Cool to room temperature, and discard cinnamon. Cover and chill.

Cooking Light NOVEMBER 2004

Pumpkin Pie with Pecan Pastry Crust

Ground pecans give this classic dessert rich flavor and crunch. Many supermarkets stock ground pecans with the other nuts; if you can't find preground nuts, grind the pecans in a food processor or spice grinder. Make the pastry dough up to one week ahead; arrange it in the pie plate and freeze. Cover tightly with plastic wrap once it's frozen so the wrap won't stick to the dough. On Thanksgiving morning, quickly mix the filling, add it to the frozen pie shell, and bake.

Pumpkin Pie with Pecan Pastry Crust Photo by: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Melanie J. Clarke

Ingredients

  • Crust:
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour, divided
  • 3 1/2 tablespoons ice water
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • 3 tablespoons ground pecans, toasted
  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable shortening
  • Cooking spray
  • Filling:
  • 1 cup fat-free sour cream
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons molasses
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin-pie spice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large egg whites
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°.

To prepare crust, lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup, and level with a knife. Combine 1/4 cup flour, ice water, and lemon juice, stirring with a whisk until well blended to form a slurry. Combine remaining 3/4 cup flour, pecans, powdered sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a large bowl; cut in shortening with a pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add slurry; toss with a fork until flour mixture is moist.

Gently press mixture into a 4-inch circle on 2 sheets of overlapping heavy-duty plastic wrap; cover with 2 additional sheets of overlapping plastic wrap. Roll dough, still covered, into a 12-inch circle. Freeze dough 10 minutes or until plastic wrap can easily be removed.

Remove dough from the freezer. Remove top 2 sheets of plastic wrap; let dough stand 1 minute or until pliable. Fit dough, plastic wrap side up, into a 9-inch pie plate coated with cooking spray, allowing the dough to extend over edge. Remove remaining plastic wrap. Press dough into bottom and up sides of pie plate. Fold edges under, and flute. Place in freezer until ready to fill.

To prepare filling, combine sour cream and remaining ingredients, stirring with a whisk until well blended. Pour filling into prepared crust. Bake at 350° for 45 minutes or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean; cool on a wire rack.

Cooking Light NOVEMBER 2004

Pecan Pie with Spiked Cream

Brown rice syrup is a sweetener with a soft, delicate flavor. It is sold in jars in the baking section of large supermarkets or health-food stores. You can substitute dark corn syrup in its place. You can make and freeze the unbaked crust up to a week ahead; bake the pie up to a day in advance, and refrigerate. Remove it from the refrigerator about an hour before you plan to serve it.

Pecan Pie with Spiked Cream Photo by: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Melanie J. Clarke

Ingredients

  • Crust:
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour, divided
  • 3 tablespoons ice water
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable shortening
  • Filling:
  • 1 cup brown rice syrup or dark corn syrup
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 large egg white
  • 1/2 cup pecan halves
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Topping:
  • 2/3 cup frozen fat-free whipped topping, thawed
  • 1 tablespoon bourbon

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°.

To prepare crust, lightly spoon 1 cup flour into a dry measuring cup, and level with a knife. Combine 1/4 cup flour, ice water, and lemon juice, stirring with a whisk until well blended to form a slurry. Combine remaining 3/4 cup flour, powdered sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a large bowl; cut in shortening with a pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add slurry; toss with a fork until flour mixture is moist.

Gently press mixture into a 4-inch circle on 2 sheets of overlapping heavy-duty plastic wrap; cover with 2 additional sheets of overlapping plastic wrap. Roll dough, still covered, into a 12-inch circle. Freeze dough 10 minutes or until plastic wrap can easily be removed.

Remove dough from freezer. Remove top 2 sheets of plastic wrap; let the dough stand 1 minute or until pliable. Fit dough, plastic wrap side up, into a 9-inch pie plate, allowing dough to extend over edge. Remove remaining plastic wrap. Press dough into bottom and up sides of pie plate. Fold edges under; flute. Bake at 350° for 8 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

To prepare filling, place syrup and next 5 ingredients (through egg white) in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended. Stir in pecans and vanilla. Pour filling into prepared crust. Bake at 350° for 50 minutes or until edges puff and center is set (shield edges of piecrust with foil if crust gets too brown). Cool on a wire rack.

To prepare the topping, combine the whipped topping and bourbon until blended. Serve with pie.

Cooking Light NOVEMBER 2004

Formal Menu Top Classic Thanksgiving Feast

Roasted Butternut Squash Dip

Spinach-Pear Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette

Apple Cider-Brined Turkey with Savory Herb Gravy

Herbed Bread Stuffing with Mushrooms and Sausage

Brown Sugar-Glazed Sweet Potato Wedges

Shredded Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Hazelnuts

Cranberry-Pear Chutney

Pumpkin Pie with Pecan Pastry Crust

Pecan Pie with Spiked Cream

Cooking Light

Formal Menu Bottom

Shopping List for Classic Thanksgiving Feast

Offer this tantalizing Thanksgiving menu of beloved favorites and some new twists. (Serves 12)

Shopping List:

Baked

  • 1 1/2 pounds peasant-style white bread

Baking

  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour, divided
  • 3 tablespoons ground pecans, toasted
  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable shortening
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour, divided
  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable shortening

Canned

  • 1/2 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth

Dairy

  • 2 tablespoons crème fraîche or whole sour cream
  • 2 teaspoons butter
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter

Meat

  • 1 (12-pound) fresh or frozen turkey, thawed
  • 4 (4-ounce) links sweet turkey Italian sausage
  • 1/2 cup chopped bacon (about 3 slices)

Other

  • 3 tablespoons water
  • Brine:
  • 8 cups apple cider
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 cup water
  • Crust:
  • 3 1/2 tablespoons ice water
  • Crust:
  • 3 tablespoons ice water
  • Filling:

Produce

  • 1 (2-pound) butternut squash
  • 1 small Walla Walla or other sweet onion, trimmed and quartered
  • 4 garlic cloves, unpeeled
  • 2 Bosc pears, cored and thinly sliced
  • 1 (6-ounce) package fresh baby spinach
  • 8 (1/8-inch-thick) slices peeled fresh ginger
  • 2 oranges, quartered
  • 1 pound cremini mushrooms, quartered
  • 2 cups chopped onion
  • 1 1/4 cups chopped carrot
  • 1 1/4 cups chopped celery
  • 13 cups thinly sliced Brussels sprouts (about 2 pounds)
  • 1 (12-ounce) package fresh cranberries
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

Special

  • 1 cup brown rice syrup or dark corn syrup

Spices

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 2/3 cup kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon black peppercorns, coarsely crushed
  • 1 tablespoon whole allspice, coarsely crushed
  • 6 whole cloves
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Cooking spray
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 2 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Cooking spray
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup

Recipe List

Roasted Butternut Squash Dip

Spinach-Pear Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette

Apple Cider-Brined Turkey with Savory Herb Gravy

Herbed Bread Stuffing with Mushrooms and Sausage

Brown Sugar-Glazed Sweet Potato Wedges

Shredded Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Hazelnuts

Cranberry-Pear Chutney

Pumpkin Pie with Pecan Pastry Crust

Pecan Pie with Spiked Cream

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Classic Thanksgiving Feast
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