This Thanksgiving, Make it Real Simple About the Table!

You can get this Thanksgiving Table cloth on Etsy from Jez4U.

The table is the heart of your home… it’s the place we gather our loved ones, it holds the food we love to eat, it reminds us of the real and important things in life, and it brings simple comfort.

The Thanksgiving Holiday is one of our best, and all of those things we are grateful for come together as we sit down together…to make it the most special.

Because of our special Thanksgiving time, and that Thanksgiving Table that can bring so much, let’s get to all those lovely things and ideas next, that you can bring to that table to make our hearts so warm, simple and real…

Some of your best home cooking of the year will be on your Thanksgiving Table to view, and you’ll want to feature all your hard work well.

Here are ideas for your Real & Simple Thanksgiving Table…

A table cloth like above, is always the easiest way to tie your table view together as ideas, and make a warm impression, but a placemat alone, or added to the table cloth gives an extra layer of simple character…

This set of 4 is Original Art Handpainted by Owenfinearts

Next, if you have a simple table cloth without lettering, you could add these custom Burlap Placemats speaking to your guests and family to view and inspire ideas, as they sit and share simple stories…

These, Live Laugh Love Faith Friends Family ones are great ideas, aren’t they?

Next ideas even better, you can get your kids and teenagers to laugh about these(maybe) over at the kid’s Thanksgiving table…

There’s nothing wrong with a little teasing now and then to create memories, and we all can use some Mind Your Manners real reminders.

Your next Thanksgiving Table ideas anchor all your focus and view, which of course are your simple table dinnerware…

You can play with layered colors like this Organic Slab Stone set, or you could stick to a simple staple white, that you can use anytime of the year.  What will make a white set special is the quality and detail, like this real handmade White Pottery set on your table…

Next ideas, sticking with that simple year round theme for more than just your Thanksgiving Table alone, you could choose a napkin style that does the same…

These Birch Tree Organic Cloth ones will find their place perfectly.

Next, for your Thanksgiving Table ideas, let’s get into some of the real and fun stuff, like accessories, serving ware, centerpieces, party favors and Thanksgiving invitations. 

Sometimes, the simple and smallest ideas make the most impact, like this Thanksgiving Table Gobble Confetti…

And to make an impact further for your guests, you can go that extra mile of presenting these party crackers right on their plates to view and enjoy…

These actually snap and crack when you open them to spill out simple goodies.

Before you bring together any of your Thanksgiving Table ideas, you can start at the beginning, with the Thanksgiving invitation…

What’s simple and great about these for Thanksgiving invitation ideas, is that they are customized for your real details, and a digital file for you to print out as many as you need.

Next, let’s make it about the simple centerpiece!…

A turkey centerpiece is a given, but you might want something that becomes a family heirloom to pass on through the generations, like this Tom Turkey Thanksgiving Pattern real handcrafted one…

And pumpkins of course are simple centerpiece ideas that never go wrong…

These make a for a simple ideas, because they are real handmade silk velvet with real pumpkin stems.

Next and finally, for your extra special Thanksgiving Table treat for you to use each year, are your custom real handstamped silverware serving set…

These can be used for Christmas, or any special occasion. Plus, they are a way to reward yourself for all of that Thanksgiving cooking, preparation and extra efforts you put in to all of your table ideas to make your family and friends event a table view to remember, and a time to forever cherish.

Next ideas for your Thanksgiving table are realsimple recipes for the first timer or anyone!

Are you a First Timer Chef this year, and looking for your own real and simple family Thanksgiving Recipes?

With a new family, you might find yourself on your own this year for Thanksgiving, and completely in charge of all of the Thanksgiving food and recipes.  Gone are the days of your own Mom cooking, and now it’s completely up to you to make your impression as Chef for this Holiday event.

 

Now on to some real and simple Thanksgiving Recipe ideas and dishes for the First Timer Chef in her new home, and with her new family…

 

First, you’re going to need a simple, traditional Turkey, Stuffing and Gravy Recipe…

 

Simple Traditional Roast Turkey with Chestnut Stuffing & Homemade Gravy

 

Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas For the Chef Stuffing:

 

½ cup whole chestnuts or dried if you can’t find whole
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, peeled and minced
2 celery ribs, chopped
2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
1 teaspoon dried sage
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 cooking apple, peeled, cored and thinly sliced
1 egg, lightly beaten
5 cups stale bread, cubed
1 ¼ cups chicken broth
¼ cup butter, melted
Olive oil
Salt (sea salt is preferable)
Pepper
1 10 lb. turkey

 

Real & Simple Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas For the Chef Gravy:

2 carrots, roughly chopped
1 onion, diced
2 celery stalks, roughly chopped
Corn flour
Chicken stock
Butter (if necessary)

 

Simple Thanksgiving Recipe Directions for Chef:

 

The Night Before:

 

If possible, the previous night, or at least one hour before cooking, prepare your turkey. Remove any giblets and rise well (inside and out) with cold water, then pat dry with paper towels. Generously rub turkey with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cover and place back in refrigerator until time to cook.

 

The Next Morning:

 

Preparing the Stuffing as Chef:

 

To roast the chestnuts, cut an X on the flat side of each chestnut and bake 15 to 20 minutes at 375F oven. Let cool for 10 minutes and then peel and chop.

 

Do not turn oven off as it will need to be preheated for cooking the turkey.

 

In a large pot over low heat, heat the olive oil then add onions and celery. Saute for about 3 minutes or until soft. Stir in crushed garlic, sage, rosemary, thyme and apple and sauté for a further 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in egg, then add chestnuts and bread. Toss mixture well. Stir in warm broth and season with salt and pepper. Set aside to cool.

 

Simple Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas: Preparing the Turkey…

 

Remove turkey from fridge and loosely stuff the neck cavity with chestnut stuffing, fold the skin under and secure in place with a toothpick. Then loosely stuff the main cavity, making sure to leave room for expansion and the air to flow through.

 

Then prepare your roasting pan. Use a large roasting pan and at the bottom add two roughly chopped carrots, onion and celery. Place the rack over the vegetables. Now place your turkey, breast side up, on the rack. Drizzle with melted butter.

 

Bake, uncovered, at 375F for the first 30 minutes, then baste and reduce oven temperature to 325F. Continue basting turkey every 25 to 30 min. The cooking time should be approximately 20 min. per pound of turkey, which would be about 3.5 hours for a 10b turkey.

 

To check if the turkey is cooked pierce the thigh bone, juices should run clear without any pink. Also use a meat thermometer on the thickest part of the thigh. The temperature should show 180F. Turkey should be golden and crispy on the outside too.

 

Remove the turkey from roasting tray and reserve juices for gravy.

 

Simple Tip: For extra added safety, remove the stuffing from turkey once turkey is cooked and bake on a separate dish for approximately 10 extra minutes.

 

Real & Simple Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas For the Gravy:

 

Mash the vegetables in the roasting tray, then push all ingredients through a sieve. Discard any remaining vegetables or fat. Place the sieved liquid in a saucepan and simmer over low heat. If you don’t have enough liquid then add 1 cup or more (depending on how much gravy you need) of chicken stock; You can also add a couple of tablespoons of butter.

 

In a small bowl add two tablespoons of corn flour and mix with cold water (about ½ cup) until all lumps dissolve. Slowly add a little of this mixture (tablespoon by tablespoon) to the saucepan, stirring well after each addition and allowing time for gravy to thicken. Keep adding corn flour/water mixture until gravy thickens.

 

Simple Tip: You can also add a couple of tablespoons of red wine to the gravy or Madeira for a richer taste. The alcohol will dissolve during the cooking process and children will be able to have the gravy.

 

Here’s some simple help on carving your turkey…

Next, let’s get to a favorite simple side dish and/or appetizer…

 

Honey You Shouldn’t Have Devilled Eggs

 

 Courtesy of pinchmysalt.com

 

Real & Simple Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas Chef Food Ingredients:

 

12 hard-cooked eggs
1/3 cup mayonnaise
4 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
2 tablespoons finely shredded Cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons honey mustard
1/4 teaspoon pepper

 

Real & Simple Thanksgiving RecipeIdeas Chef Food Instructions:

 

Hard boil, shell and rinse your eggs. Slice eggs in half. Carefully remove the yolks and place in a large mixing bowl. Place egg whites on a platter.

 

Next, cook 4 bacon strips to very crisp. Drain, allow to cool and crumble. Mash egg yolks with a fork. Blend in mayonnaise, crumbled bacon, cheese, honey mustard and pepper.

 

Next, place a spoon full of yolk mixture into each egg white. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Sprinkle paprika on top of eggs before serving.

 

Next, your Thanksgiving Recipes real potato dishes…

 

Simple Honey Sweet Potato Mash

 

Real & Simple Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas Chef Ingredients:

 

2 cups warm mashed sweet potatoes
Dash of sale
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons butter
½ cup milk
1 cup miniature marshmallows

 

Real & Simple Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas Chef Instructions:

 

Next, in a large bowl mix the mashed sweet potato and all ingredients. Transfer to a lightly buttered casserole dish. Top with miniature marshmallows and a little brown sugar. Bake in a preheated oven at 350F until the marshmallows start to brown, approximately 10 min.

 

Real Creamy Holiday Mashed Potatoes

 

Courtesy of spoonforkbacon.com

 

This simple mashed potato recipe certainly isn’t low fat. In our house it’s reserved for holidays only…

 

Real & Simple Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas Chef Ingredients:

 

Serves 6, double or triple quantities as necessary.
Ingredients:
6 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks.
¼ cup cream
¼ cup real butter
¼ cup sour cream
¼ cup milk
3 peeled cloves of garlic (optional)
Chopped fresh chives of parsley (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste

 

Real & Simple Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas Chef Directions:

 

Next, place potatoes in large saucepan and cover with water, add a little salt and peeled whole garlic cloves if using. Bring to a boil and cook over medium or high heat for approximately 15 to 20 minutes or until tender. Drain, discard garlic and return to pan.

 

Next, add the milk and beat potatoes with electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add a little of each of the ingredients and keep mixing. Depending on your preference you may want to add a little extra or less sour cream. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Finally add the chopped chives or parsley if using and stir well. Serve immediately.

 

Simple Note: For roasted garlic potatoes use the same recipe as above but do not add garlic cloves to potatoes while boiling. Instead crush the garlic cloves and sauté for about 1 minute over very low heat in a little olive oil. Add mixture to potatoes once cooked and mix with all other ingredients.

 

You might want to try as Chef, a real classic of Thanksgiving dishes with green beans…

 

Real Classic Green Bean Casserole

 

Real & Simple Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas Chef Food Ingredients:

 

Serves 6

4 cups cooked French style green beans
1 can (10 oz) cream of mushroom soup
½ cup milk
1 1/3 cups French fried onions

 

Real & Simple Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas Chef Food Directions:

 

Next, place the mushroom soup, milk and pepper in a 1 1/2-quart casserole dish. Stir in beans and 2/3 cup of the fried onions. Reserve the rest for later. Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes at 350F. Then top with the remaining 2/3 cup fried onions and bake about 5 more min., until onions are lightly browned.

 

Next, you can add a simple salad of fruits as Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas First Timer Chef too…

 

Simple Grand Marnier Fruit Salad

 

Real & Simple Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas Chef Food Ingredients:

 

1 peach, peeled
2 plums
24 green seedless grapes, cut in half
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 tablespoons grand Marnier

 

Real & Simple Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas Chef Food Instructions:

 

Next, in a bowl mix the fruit, lemon juice, sugar and grand Marnier. Cover and chill for 1 to 2 hours for the fruit to absorb the liqueur. Spoon fruit over low-fat frozen vanilla yogurt or serve fruit in bowls with a side of whipped topping. This one is for the adults.

 

This can double as an extra adult dessert if you wish as Chef.

 

If you think as Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas First Timer Chef, that you need more real greens on the table, add some more vegetables dishes…

 

Simple Asparagus with Raspberry Sauce

 

Real & Simple Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas Chef Food Ingredients:

 

1 pound fresh asparagus spears, trimmed
1 (8 ounce) container low-fat raspberry yogurt
1/2 lemon, juiced

 

Real & Simple Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas Chef Food Instructions:

 

Next, steam asparagus for 6 to 7 minutes or until tender. Over medium heat place yogurt and lemon juice in saucepan. Heat until warmed through. Pour sauce over asparagus and serve warm.

 

Simple Tip: Asparagus is a great source of vitamins and when steamed it maintains the vitamins potency.

 

Finally, your Simple Chef Dessert Dishes…

 

Real Fancy Lattice Apple Pie

 

Real & Simple Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas Chef Food Ingredients:

 

8 cups peeled and sliced granny smith apples (or other tart apples)
2 tablespoons all purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
Dash of salt
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons butter
1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon water

 

Real & Simple Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas Chef Food Instructions:

 

Next, preheat oven to 375F.
In a large bowl combine apple slices, sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and lemon juice. Place mixture into pie crust. On a lightly floured surface roll remaining pastry dough and cut into strips. Place strips on top of apple pie making a crisscross pattern. Mix the egg yolk and water in a small bowl and lightly brush the top of the pie. Bake for approximately 45 min.
Serve warm topped with custard or whipped cream.

 

Here’s a Real Chef Classic…

 

Easy, Simple Pumpkin Pie

 

Real & Simple Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas Chef Food Ingredients:

 

2 cups pureed pumpkin
2 eggs (beaten)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups brown sugar
1 (12 ounce) can evaporated milk
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
½ teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup butter (melted)
1 pie crust

 

Real & Simple Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas Chef Food Directions:

 

Next, in a large bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well.  Pour batter into pie crust.  Bake in preheated oven at 350F for approximately 60 minutes or until set through.

 

Simple Chef Topping:

 

1 pkg cream cheese
1 cup whipped cream
½ cup powdered sugar

 

Next, blend all ingredients together and use to top pie.

 

Here’s giving the best to you as First Timer Chef for all your Thanksgiving recipe and table ideas for a beautiful, real and simple meal with your loved ones!

 

And we have more recipe ideas if you feel like doing something different, and with a twist…

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let’s start with a little Thanksgiving Recipes spin on a turkey dish…

 

Turkey Breast with a Spicy & Sweet Twist:

 

1 TBSP black peppercorn
1 TBSP cumin
1 TBSP chili powder
1 TBSP oregano
1 TBSP minced garlic
1/4 C lime juice
2 TBSP olive oil
6 firm peaches, peeled and chopped fine
1 C peach preserves
2/3 C peach juice
1/4 C sugar
2 TBSP cider vinegar
4 jalapeno peppers, stemmed, seeded and chopped fine
1 TBSP cilantro, chopped fine
1 (4 lb) turkey breast
Canola oil

Recipes Cooking Directions:

Crush the peppercorn seeds as fine as possible. Add the cumin, chili powder, oregano, minced garlic, lime juice and olive oil, and stir into a paste. Then, coat the turkey completely with the paste.

Place the turkey into a large zip lock bag, and remove as much air as possible. Seal tightly, and refrigerate overnight. In a saucepan over medium high heat, mix together the peaches, preserves, peach juice, sugar and vinegar. Bring to a rapid boil, then reduce the heat to medium low.

While stirring often, simmer the mixture for about 30 minutes, or until the sauce thickens. Remove the mixture from the heat, and allow cooling for at least 10 min. Place the cooled mixture into the food processor and process until very smooth.

Add the jalapeno peppers and cilantro, and mix well. Allow the mixture to come to room temperature, then refrigerate it until ready to use. Heat your grill on medium high.

Brush the turkey breast completely with the canola oil. Grill skin side up over indirect heat for 1 hour 15 min.

Remove and allow cooling before slicing and serving with the peach mixture.

*Tip: Place your turkey breasts on direct heat for 10 min. before removing them from the grill, if you like them to be a little crispy on the outside.

 

More New Tradition Thanksgiving Recipes Twists…

Thanksgiving Menu: Turkey, Vegetable and Rice Medley

Recipes Food Menu Ingredients:

3 cups water
1 1/2 cups uncooked long-grain rice
1 tablespoon low fat canola oil
1 cup chopped green bell pepper
2 stalks celery, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 yellow onion, finely chopped
1 pound boneless turkey breast, cut into 1 inch cubes
1 (14.5 ounce) can stewed tomatoes, drained

Recipes Cooking Instructions:

Heat canola oil in large pan over medium heat. Add onion, green pepper and celery. Cook 3 minutes or until vegetables are tender to your liking. Add turkey and continue to cook until turkey is no longer pink. Reduce heat to low. Add tomatoes. Cover and simmer about 20 min. or until turkey is cooked completely through. Bring water to a boil over high heat. Add rice. Reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for 20 minutes or until rice is tender. Serve turkey and vegetables over hot rice.

*Tip: Turkey is known for its calming agents.

Thanksgiving Menu: Apple Pecan Stuffing

A wonderful side dish any time poultry main course meal.

Recipes Food Menu Ingredients:

1 package dry bread stuffing mix; 6 oz.
3/4 cup finely chopped pecans
2 apples – peeled, cored and thinly sliced

Recipes Cooking Instructions:

Prepare stuffing with package directions and mix in apples and pecans. Stuff the poultry and cook; or bake uncovered for 35 min. at 325 degrees, or until lightly browned.

Thanksgiving Menu: Cornbread Stuffing

Recipes Food Menu Ingredients:
½ stick of butter
1 cup diced celery
2 cups diced onions
2 cups water
1 16 oz can of corn, drained
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
½ teaspoon paprika
¼ teaspoon dried oregano
2 chicken flavored bouillons
6 cups crumbled cornbread
½ cup chopped pecans
Dash of black pepper

Recipes Cooking Directions:

Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease a 2 ½ quart baking dish and set aside.

Melt the butter in large skillet over low heat. Add onion and celery and cook for approximately 5 min. or until tender. Add water, corn, bouillon, paprika, oregano and pepper. Mix well and then add the cornbread and chopped pecans. Stir through the chopped parsley and spoon mixture into baking dish. Cover with foil and bake for approximately 30 min.

Thanksgiving Menu: Corn and Sweet Potato Soup

Courtesy of lattesandleggings.com

Recipes Food Menu Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, finely diced
2 garlic cloves, crushed
7 ½ cups of vegetable stock
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 medium sweet potato diced
1 lb corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
Salt and ground black pepper
Lime wedges to serve

Recipes Cooking Instructions:

Heat the oil in a large soup pan and gently fry the onion until soft (approximately 5 minutes). Add the garlic and gently fry for another 2 minutes. Add 1/14 cups of vegetable stock to the pan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the cumin and diced sweet potato and simmer a further 10 minutes. Season to taste and add the corn and remaining stock. Simmer approximately 10 min.

Remove soup from heat and let cool slightly. Transfer half of the soup to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Stir the smooth soup into the pan and mix together with the chunky remaining soup and gently stir together.

Serve into warm bowls with lime wedges on the side.

Thanksgiving Menu: Cranberry Pecan Couscous Salad in Lemon

Tangy, crimson-colored dried cranberries and toasted pecans are a dynamic combination in this special salad. If you plan to make it more than 2 hours in advance, hold back on adding the cucumbers until serving time so they will retain their special crunch.

Recipes Cooking Ingredients:

1 cup shelled pecans
1 1/2 cups couscous
1 cup dried cranberries
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
2 cups boiling water
1 cup thawed frozen peas
3 scallions, very thinly sliced
2 medium cucumbers, peeled, seeded, and diced
1/4 cup shredded fresh basil

Recipes Lemon Dressing Ingredients:

Zest of 1 lemon
1/3 cup lemon juice
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 /2 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup olive oil

Recipes Cooking Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Toast pecans in a shallow pan until fragrant, approximately 5-7 min. Set aside. Place the couscous, cranberries, and turmeric in a large bowl. Pour in the boiling water, stir, then cover the bowl with a large plate or foil. Let sit for 10 minutes. Remove cover and fluff the couscous with a fork. Cover again and let sit 5 more minutes. Stir in the pecans, peas, scallions, cucumbers, and basil.

Combine e dressing ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake vigorously. Pour over the couscous mixture and stir. Let the salad sit at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to blend. If longer than 1 hour, cover and chill, but then bring the salad to room temperature before serving.

*Tip: If salad is prepared more than an hour ahead of serving, wait to add cucumbers until serving time.

Thanksgiving Menu: Creamy Homemade Au Gratin Potatoes

Courtesy of thepioneerwoman.com

Recipes Food Ingredients:

4 russet potatoes, sliced into 1/4 inch slices
1 onion, sliced into rings
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
2 cups milk
1 ½ cups shredded Cheddar cheese

Recipes Cooking Directions:

Boil the potatoes for 5 minutes, just until slightly tender (do not over boil). Drain and set aside. Preheat oven to 400F. Lightly butter a casserole dish and place half of the potatoes in the dish. Top with the onion slices and the remaining potatoes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

In a saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Mix the flour and salt in a separate bowl and add the milk, stir together until smooth. Then add the milk mixture to the butter and cook until mixture starts to thicken. Stir in cheese and quickly stir until melted. Pour cheese over potatoes, cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil.
Bake approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour until golden and bubbly.

Thanksgiving Menu: Asparagus in Lemon Garlic Dressing

Courtesy of www.a-kitchen-addiction.com

Recipes Food Ingredients:

2 tablespoons nonfat or low-fat sour cream
1 tablespoon low-fat buttermilk or skim milk
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
24 fresh asparagus spears, woody bases snapped off and discarded
Poppy seeds (optional)

Recipes Cooking Directions:

In a small bowl, combine garlic, buttermilk, sour cream and lemon peel. Cover and chill until ready to serve. Cook asparagus in boiling water for 5 minutes, or until crisp-tender. Drain. Rinse with cold water and drain again. Cover and chill until serving time. Toss asparagus with garlic mixture. Sprinkle lightly with poppy seeds, if desired.

Thanksgiving Menu: Stuffed Peppers Vegan Style

Note: This recipe is especially for those with a gluten-free diet.

Recipes Food Menu:

3 bell peppers
15 oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 c. corn
1 c. cooked rice
1/2 c. onions, finely chopped
1 1/2 tsp. cumin
1 oz. light cheddar cheese, grated
1 oz. Jalapeno Jack cheese, grated
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. cilantro
1/4 c. water
nonstick cooking spray

Recipes Cooking Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 9″ x 13″ pan with nonstick cooking spray. Cut peppers in half lengthwise and remove seeds. Combine remaining ingredients minus cheese. Fill peppers with bean mixture until half full and place in pan. Pour 1/4 cup water in bottom of pan. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and sprinkle each half with cheese. Bake uncovered for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Can be served with steamed veggies, a salad, or baked potato.

Thanksgiving Menu: Beans of All Kinds Bake

Recipes Food Ingredients:

1 16oz can butter beans
1 16oz can, great northern beans
1 16oz can garbanzo beans
1 16oz can black beans
1 16oz can pinto beans
1 16oz can kidney beans
2 cups tomato sauce
1 onion, chopped and sautéed
2 Tablespoons mustard
1 Tablespoon barbecue sauce of your choice
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 cup brown sugar (if desired)

Recipes Cooking Instructions:

Open beans and drain well. Combine all beans in a large bowl. In another bowl mix all other ingredients. Stir mixture into bowl containing the beans and mix slowly. Pour mixture into a 9X13 inch baking dish. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 60 minutes.

*Tip: This dish can be served hot or chilled and served cold after baking. You can also use any variety of beans you like.

Thanksgiving Menu: Egg & Turkey Quiche

Recipes Food Ingredients:

10 eggs, slightly beaten
2 green peppers, chopped
2 teaspoons of parsley flakes
1 teaspoon of oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
2 cups of diced cooked turkey
2 tablespoons of onion flakes
2 teaspoons of dried chili pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder

Recipes Cooking Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, slightly beat eggs and add green peppers, parsley, oregano, turkey, onion flakes, chili pepper flakes, garlic powder and salt and pepper. Spray an 8 inch cake pan with non stick cooking spray. Pour quiche mixture into pan and bake until set. (Approximately 30-35 minutes). Cut and serve immediately.

Thanksgiving Menu: Baked Pears with Cranberry Wine Sauce

Courtesy of www.inspiredtaste.net 

This is a light and delicious dessert. You can also serve with a little fat-free frozen yogurt or fat-free whipped topping.

Recipes Food Ingredients:

4 ripe, firm dessert pears (peeled, cored and cut into quarters)
1/3 cup red wine
¼ cup dried cranberries
Cinnamon and nutmeg for sprinkling

Recipes Cooking Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350F. Place the pear quarters in a baking dish and pour the wine over the pears. Scatter the chopped cranberries over the pears and sprinkle with a little nutmeg and cinnamon. Bake for approximately 20 minutes or until tender.

Thanksgiving Menu: Quick Chocolate Cherry Pie

Recipes Food Ingredients:

1 graham cracker pie crust
2/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 (14oz) can condensed milk
½ teaspoon salt
1 (21oz) can cherry pie filling
8 maraschino cherries, stemmed

Recipes Cooking Directions:

Place the chocolate chips, condensed milk and salt in a saucepan and heat over medium heat. Bring to a boil and stir continuously until blended through. Mix in the cherry pie filling and mix well. Let cool slightly and then pour intro prepared pie crust. Chill for approximately 3 to 4 hours and garnish with the maraschino cherries.

Thanksgiving Menu: Easy Pumpkin Pie Add Bacon 

Courtesy of allrecipes.com

Recipes Food Ingredients:
cooked bacon bits
2 cups pureed pumpkin
2 eggs (beaten)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups brown sugar
1 (12 ounce) can evaporated milk
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
½ teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup butter (melted)
1 pie crust

Recipes Cooking Directions:

 

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well.  Pour batter into pie crust.  Bake in preheated oven at 350F for approximately 60 minutes or until set through.

Recipes Food Topping:

bacon bits
1 pkg cream cheese
1 cup whipped cream
½ cup powdered sugar

Blend all ingredients together and use to top pie. Then sprinkle your bacon bits over and around the edge of the pie. The perfect salty and sweet combo.

This Thanksgiving, add a new tradition to your menu, and make it your own signature dish and style…why not? Please share your Thanksgiving Recipes twists!

Finally, if you want a carving and serving twist on your turkey, here’s a good one from Bobby Flay…

Courtney & Betina~LaDy LaDuke