Many of us have certain expectations for how Thanksgiving should be: A turkey is imperative for some, while for others, pumpkin pie is what really makes the holiday right. At the same time, nothing’s more exciting than changing out the menu, from year to year. For those of you who are looking for a traditional Thanksgiving table with a twist, you’ve come to the right place. Follow the recipes for our modern Thanksgiving menu—trust us, you won’t be disappointed.
 Pink and White Punch
Aperol is a traditional apéritif, an alcoholic drink taken before dinner that’s meant to stimulate the appetite. This punch combines Aperol with white wine and sparkling water for a pretty pink effect.
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| Persimmons Wrapped in Smoked Ham
The ideal hors d’oeuvre for Thanksgiving is one that is bold enough to complement a cocktail in hand, but not so rich that there’s no appetite for the big meal ahead. This one-bite snack all those criteria.
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Celery Root Puree with Caramelized Apple
Celeriac, or celery root, is the root of a variety of celery; its subtle grassy flavor stands out best in simple fall preparations like this one.
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It’s standard practice to brush a turkey with butter and autumn herbs like sage and thyme. Less traditional but equally delicious? Rubbing your bird with a spice mixture that includes peppercorns, chili, paprika, fennel seed, clove and garlic.
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Crispy Roasted Potatoes with Thyme
Potatoes au gratin are delicious, but also incredibly heavy. We love this lightened-up potato preparation, and it only calls for four simple ingredients: thyme, potatoes, butter and salt.
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Skip the need for both a stuffing and a salad by opting to make a panzanella, or Tuscan bread salad, with winter greens instead.
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| Cranberry-Apple Relish
This relish is nothing like the molded jelly you grew up eating on Thanksgiving; it’s much more rustic than traditional sauce, and sweet but with a pleasant element of tartness.
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Buttery, oval-shaped Parker House rolls are a classic; our test kitchen’s update calls for a topping commonly found on bagels: the combination of sea salt, onion flakes, garlic, and sesame seeds.
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Bourbon Pumpkin Pie with Nutmeg Tuiles
It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without a pumpkin pie. Here, we add a shot of bourbon to the filling and accompany the dessert with thin, crisp cookies known as tuiles.
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Not much of a modernist when it comes to Thanksgiving? Get more Thanksgiving menus.
1 comment
I’m going to meet guests this weekend. Thank you for the ideas!