Maybe this is your fifth year in a row hosting Thanksgiving. Or you’re going to the same potluck you’ve been attending year after year since the past decade. Either way, if you’re expecting to sit down to the same old stuff come turkey day and feeling a little ho-hum about it, it’s time to mix things up. Skip the standard dinner rolls, whole roast turkey, and pumpkin pie in favor of some modern takes on the classics. Follow our suggestions for feast that’s guaranteed to excite your tastebuds.
If you love spiced nut mix, try…Herbed Marcona almonds.
Marcona almonds, a product that hails from Spain, and rounder, fatter, and softer than the conventional almonds you might be used to snacking on. Their flavor is buttery, sweet, and moist. Try tossing them in olive oil with hearty autumn herbs like rosemary and thyme, as well as pink peppercorns to add a little tingling spice.
If you like smoked turkey, try…Smoked Turkey Breast with Cornbread Stuffing.
Smoked turkey feels special, but if you don’t want to commit to roasting an entire bird, try this update from Chef Charlie Parker of Haven restaurant in Oakland. Parker soaks a turkey breast in a flavorful brine, then smokes and roasts it in the oven and serves it over quick-roasted chicories, dollops of celery yogurt, and the best corn bread stuffing we’ve ever had.
If you like potato casserole, try…Crispy Roasted Potatoes with Thyme.
Prettier — and far simpler! — than a traditional potato casserole are these Crispy Roasted Potatoes With Thyme. Inspired by hasselback potatoes, these showstopping sliced spuds are crispy, buttery, and aromatic with fresh thyme.
If you like cranberry jelly, try…Blood Orange Cranberry Sauce.
Blood oranges lend a deep scarlet hue and a distinct, raspberry-like flavor to a compote of cranberries reduced with cinnamon and cloves.
If you like broccoli casserole, try….Whole-Roasted Cauliflower with Fresh Herbs.
Whole roasted cauliflower is having a moment, and for excellent reason. The crown is kept intact and roasted, and the result is a theatrical presentation when served at the table.
If you love dinner rolls, try…Everything Parker House rolls.
Parker House rolls are made by flattening balls of dough into ovals, then folding those ovals in half lengthwise for a pillowy-soft, buttery bread roll. This Everything Parker House rolls recipe takes that same tradition to another level with a crunchy “everything” topping of sea salt, onion flakes, garlic, and sesame seeds.
If you love pumpkin pie, try…Spiced Pumpkin Crème Brûlée.
The mellow, sweet flavor of roasted pumpkin isn’t just the star of classic pumpkin pie. It’s also highlighted in this modern, elegant Thanksgiving dessert: a family-style serving of crème brûlée that’s infused with warming spices like vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Follow along as we continue to gear up for Thanksgiving! Earlier on our Thanksgiving Countdown:
Get a Head Start With Our Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Menu
Check Out Our 2015 Thanksgiving Brochure!