5 Unique Thanksgiving Recipes to Try This Year
Thanksgiving is an ideal festival that offers an opportunity to showcase the culinary skills that otherwise remain locked up owing to hectic work schedules. It is crucial to abide by the festive spirit and include recipes that have a quintessential Thanksgiving vibe to it.
But it’s also fun and interesting to mix up the dishes and try something completely new. Each recipe in this listicle consists of ingredients and methods that are symbolic of the seasonal focus of Thanksgiving, and yet the list introduces new textures, combinations, and presentations.
Sweet Potato and Cauliflower Gratin
This particular dish is a modern play on the traditional and delicious Thanksgiving side dishes. Normally consumed as a mash or part of the assorted vegetables in the turkey roast, the humble potato is the star ingredient for this recipe. The dish consists of sliced sweet potatoes layered alternately with roasted cauliflower.
Essentially baked, this gratin is an amalgamation of contrasting textures and colours. A gratin is a rather refreshing twist to the hackneyed potato casseroles that are an inevitable addition to every Thanksgiving menu.
Spiced Carrot and Apple Soup
This soup introduces elements of warmth (literally) and complexity to the festive meal. The addition of carrots and seasonal apples makes this soup a quintessential autumn essential.
Since many Thanksgiving-themed foods have a slightly sweet profile to them, this soup is the perfect starting point for the festive spread.
Condiments like a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg powder in the recipe not only enhance the taste of the dish but also lend a seasonal aroma that is appropriate for the occasion.
Butternut Squash and Sage Risotto
This dish is a distinctive addition to the Thanksgiving menu, adding a rich, creamy texture that complements other holiday recipes. The natural sweetness of the butternut squash pairs excellently with the risotto base made from Arborio rice.
The incorporation of sage brings an autumnal aroma to the dish. When preparing the risotto, vegetable or chicken stock should always be added since they lend a considerable body to the dish and deepen the flavour.
This dish may be served as a side or even a main course (if someone chooses to eat a vegetarian meal) as it provides an elegant yet accessible alternative to traditional Thanksgiving fare.
Cornbread and Chorizo Stuffing
This dish introduces a spicy and savoury twist to a classic Thanksgiving spread. Using cornbread ensures a slightly sweet and crumbly texture that fits well with the chorizo’s rich flavour profile.
The chorizo, on the other hand, lends a smoky, spiced note to the stuffing, acting as a contrast to the cornbread’s light sweetness and robust taste.
Adding herbs, celery, and onions keeps the recipe rooted in its tradition, while the chorizo introduces a bold update and caters to those interested in a fun revamp of old-school culinary Thanksgiving customs.
Pear and Ginger Crumble
This dessert essentially offers a welcome break from the traditional pumpkin and pecan pies that have been featured on every Thanksgiving menu for years.
Fresh pears are not only seasonal but also add a natural sweetness to the dish while the ginger lends a hint of spice and warmth.
This topping for the crumble is made of flour and oats, forming a crackly sheath over the smooth pear filling.
