Imaginary Thanksgiving

As I mentioned yesterday, we are actually going out to eat for Thanksgiving dinner this year. (Sacrilege for a food blogger, I know. Alas, the plans aren't up to me.) But that doesn't keep me from dreaming up a homemade Thanksgiving meal. More than likely, we will be making many of these recipes over the weekend when we celebrate as a family of three.

Here are a few holiday-appropriate favorites:

Roasted Beet Chutney: Cranberry sauce is good, but for our table this year, I'd rather do a smoky chutney. Goes great on its own, but we love pairing it with brie.


Cranberry-Persimmon Sauce: But if you're on the hunt for a good cranberry sauce, this one is it. Can be made with fresh or frozen cranberries, too.


Cranberry Stuffing: This vegan recipe features ginger and basil along with apple and shiitake mushrooms. The basic lesson is that you can experiment to go beyond the traditional and incorporate some of your favorite flavors into the holidays.


Herbed Potato-Stuffed Acorn Squash: I never get enough of a good baked squash. Add mashed potatoes, and it's a perfect vegetarian/vegan Thanksgiving entree. You can even play around with the filling, using sweet potatoes and different herbs.


Smoky Pumpkin Chili: Since I don't eat turkey, I love a good, hearty soup on the table. Chili is about as hearty as you can get -- and features beans for protein -- and with the addition of pumpkin, it's super seasonal.


Yogurt Biscuits: A great quick-bread to go with the rest. And if you have leftovers, they are great toasted for breakfast the next morning. Vegan? Try these Vegan Buttermilk Biscuits.


Chocolate Pumpkin Pie: If you make only one of these recipes, this one should be it. I hate traditional pumpkin pie. Lacks pizazz for me. Add chocolate? Now we're talking. And I love making things in individual sizes.


Pumpkin Hot Chocolate: Sometimes after all that comfort food, there isn't room for dessert. (OK -- for me, there's always room, but we're all different!) This tasty beverage is a great alternative.

5 MORE DELICIOUS T-GIVING ROUNDUPS

• Angela at Oh She Glows
• Ashley at Edible Perspective
• Emily at Daily Garnish
• Heidi at 101 Cookbooks 
• Deb at Smitten Kitchen

Hope you all have a safe and happy holiday. Though, speaking of safety, I'll be back before then with some tips on running in the dark. So hard to believe this photo was taken just a year ago!



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