My favorite holiday of the year, Thanksgiving, is just one week from today! Did I say one week?! Eeeek! Just this morning I truly realized that it is just one week. I’m not sure what fog bank I’ve been lost in lately, but apparently the skies just cleared and the date hit me right smack in the face. I already have my table decor in place, but I gotta get my menu finished!
In case you’re still in the planning stages for your Thanksgiving feast, I thought I’d offer some suggestions from past posts.
Of course, Turkey and Southern Cornbread Dressing will always be the centerpiece of our Thanksgiving dinner. If you’ve never had southern style cornbread dressing, please give it a try at least once. For me?
Okay! The main course was easy! So now on to the side dishes. Honestly, I look forward to the sides almost more than the main course at Thanksgiving. One of my favorites is good, old-fashioned Copper Pennies. Sweet, tangy and light. They’re full of flavor and the little ones really like them. Or you could go with a side of Sauteed Broccolini or Roasted Asparagus. Those may be a little different for Thanksgiving but really delicious. And no Southern Thanksgiving would be complete without a congealed salad or two. My Sunshine Salad with its pineapple and carrot components is a great compliment to your turkey.
Or how about a hot, baked fruit side? This Baked Fruit recipe uses canned fruits with warm Fall spices and makes a great counterpoint to the savory dishes on the buffet. Or maybe your family would prefer fresh Green Beans with Cherry Tomatoes? Or a big pot of slow cooked Turnip Greens? All good choices!
Even after all that food, you know you still want dessert, right? Oh, come on, just have a taste, okay? Here are a few tried-and-true Southern favorites to choose from: a luscious Caramel Layer Cake, a Pecan Cheesecake Pie that combines two all-times favorites in one recipe and a smooth, velvety (with just a touch of bourbon) Charlotte Russe. Oh, yeah. I’ll take a taste of each, please.
And if those aren’t quite enough choices for you, here are a few more. A Glazed Pumpkin Pound Cake, Old-Fashioned Gingerbread with Lemon Glaze, and a Cream Cheese Filled Pumpkin Roll. All I need is a cup of coffee and a fork!
So, tell me what’s on your menu for Thanksgiving? I’d love to hear your ideas and see your recipes, too! Is your Thanksgiving traditional or something new and different? Please share!
{ 38 comments… read them below or add one }
My Thanksgiving is still up in the air. Made plans with friends because my daughter’s job at Nordstrom’s requires that she work all day as one of the elves who get all of their fabulous holiday decor out for customers the day after Thanksgiving.
I just heard that this year they are going to work through on Wednesday night and have the day off. A tired day but still…guess I might be reneging and cooking after all for her and her friends.
I have my Thanksgiving dishes grouped together in one category; not as pretty as yours but still an easy way to check on what I think is good for the holiday. Me. I love the bourbon pecan pumpkin pie. Kind of rolls them all into one!
http://www.creative-culinary.com/?cat=998
You could always book a flight and head South for Thanksgiving. We have an extra spot at our table :-)
Just awesome menu. Except for many of the usual recipes i always make ribs. Put them in the over for 8 hours until they fall off the bones. I never grew up with turkey, i make it but just not my thing so one year i just added ribs to the menu and it always goes first and everyone loves it.
You know…I wouldn’t mind having some good ribs for Thanksgiving! What a great idea.
Lots of lovely food here, Lana. Wow! I am not at all this organized, haven’t really planned a thing yet.
There’s still time, Carolyn! Maybe I have something here that you’d like to try.
All the food looks wonderful, but I sure am attracted to all those desserts! I won’t be making a big meal as we are going to my Aunt’s for Thanksgiving Day. I am contributing a pumpkin cheesecake though. :)
Yum. The pumpkin cheesecake sounds delicious!
The pumpkin roll looks incredible!! Love the syggested Thankgiving menu. Your guests will be very happy!
Thanks! That pumpkin roll is one of my husband’s favorites.
This is a terrific line up of Thanksgiving recipes! My cousin and I alternate hosting Thanksgiving – this year is her year to host so I’ll be bringing 4 dishes along with my gravy base since I am the designated gravy maker!!
looks wonderful, what time should I arrive :)
Your photography is beautiful. I used to wish that I could set a table as beautiful as yours. My kids and husband love food and a beautifully decorated table is uncomfortable for them so I decided to focus on the conversation, laughter and platters and bowls being emptied. I’m so glad you showed the fruit. That is something to bring out for my grandkids. They have picky palates. Great posting. Have a good holiday.
Thanks, Pam. Setting a pretty table is one of the things I enjoy most about holidays.
Gorgeous photo’s I’m ready for dinner at your house!
That’s a lovely table setting and a great menu to go with it! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. :-)
Thanks, Gwen, and a very Happy Thanksgiving to you as well.
I’m bringing a veggie to Thanksgiving Day dinner and I think I will bring your Roasted Asparagus. It looks so good!! Thanks for posting.
Hope you enjoy it, Elizabeth. We really do.
The one side that is ALWAYS at Thanksgiving at our house is homemade cranberry sauce. It is so simple….just put fresh cranberries, canned pineapple and a little sugar in a food processor and pulse until its the consistency that you like. Let it sit in the fridge over night and its delicious…I have a friend that said if Christmas had a taste that it would be the cranberry sauce.
I always make a cranberry sauce, too. The homemade kind is so much better than purchased.
Is it wrong that I have not even thought about Thanksgiving menus and what will be served at my table (and I’m hosting – ahhhhhh!). I better get to work :)
Oh, there’s still time for planning, Aly!
My grandmother always added chicken and dumplings to the
thanksgiving meal. Now that she’s gone, I make the dumplings every year. We have memories added to the menu. Happy Thanksgiving to all!
I think everyone has favorite memories of Thanksgiving. Enjoy your grandmother’s chicken and dumplings!
That sunshine salad is straight from my Oklahoma youth. Thanks for the memories… GREG
You’re welcome, Greg :-) Of course I’ll have at least one congealed salad on my Thanksgiving buffet!
Your table looks beautiful! I’m jealous you are so organized! I know, I am panicking a bit myself, since I’ve taken on posting 10 recipes in 10 days…my Thanksgiving Countdown and as a result my life and my house is turned upside down. But at least I know what I’m making! Today was day #4 and I’ll be posting my Pinot Noir Spice Cranberry Sauce…I’ve been finding excuses to dip in and taste it all day…yum.
Oh, my! Ten recipes in 10 days? And right at Thanksgiving. What a task!
Lana everything looks yummy, how exciting it is to plan what you are cooking. This year we won’t be able to go to the states with our family, so it is only my hubby and daughters. I will definitely miss my mom and sisters.
Enjoy your weekend :)
So sorry you can’t travel this Thanksgiving, but I hope you have a wonderful day with your hubby and girls.
Turkey and southern cornbread dressing is always the centerpiece of our meal, too. I look forward to that dressing all year! Beautiful tablescape – Happy Thanksgiving, Lana!
I look forward to it all year, too! I don’t know why I don’t just make it more often :-)
Your Sunshine Salad just brought back the best of childhood memories. This will for sure be on my table this Thanksgiving! Everything else is wonderful, too. Maybe I’ll just show up at your house. ;)
What a great round-up! Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday as well! Thanks for linking up at my Thanksgiving blog hop :-)
What a lovely table! And the food????? Scrumptious! I’m with Diane! What time should I arrive!? :)
I love all of the suggestions , but I would love more sidedish ideas ! Something pretty , tasty but simple . It seems like everyone will agree on every part of the menu but the sidedish !
Great selection of goods Lana! I want thanksgiving at your house :) x
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