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Brandied Cranberry Sauce
When I think of decadent holiday cooking and cocktails, brandy always comes to mind. A generous amount transforms cranberry sauce into the most delicious accompaniment to turkey or your choice of roast. Holiday spices, cranberries, and dried fruit, which plumps while cooking, lend even more festive flavor. A touch of orange lends bright citrus that cranberries just seem to crave. Thanksgiving happens to be my favorite feast of the year, and I’m always looking for new ways to serve up something that will make loved ones feel joyful. Special ingredients and little touches always seem to do the trick. While you could omit the dried fruit, I recommend a combination…
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Cranberry Mostarda
Tangy and just a tad sweet, cranberry mostarda adds holiday flavor to cheese and charcuterie boards, baked Brie, and even sandwiches, which is how I have been enjoying it lately with sliced pork tenderloin on brioche. As the name suggests, mustard lends this condiment its signature flavor. Fresh and frozen cranberries and interchangeable in this recipe, so I recommend stocking up while they are available at the market and freezing some so you can make this recipe throughout the winter months. From cranberry sauce to a linzer torte which makes a delicious alternative to a classic Thanksgiving or holiday pie, cranberries always make it to my table throughout the colder…
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Thanksgiving Gravy with Pan Drippings
Once you learn how to make good gravy, Thanksgiving Day is much more relaxing. Thick enough, still hot, and richly flavored gravy will accompany quite a few dishes on your guests’ plates, yet many of us struggle with this part of the dinner. Drippings can be intimidating to handle, and by the time you’re about to make it, the day often has become quite hectic with balancing multiple dishes, pouring drinks, and generally keeping the mood festive. All of this led me to share my tips on how to make a gravy for which you will give thanks. For most of my life, gravy-making felt like such an art that…
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Maple Roasted Squash and Figs
Celebrating the naturally sweet notes of fall ingredients, balanced with tangy cheese and peppery microgreens, this recipe makes a meal seem decadent. Best of all, this decadence comes together on a sheet pan, which makes for easy cleanup. Certainly, if you’re already thinking ahead to Thanksgiving, consider serving this as the sweeter offering on the table. When fresh figs are unavailable, dried can be used by simply rehydrating then roasting them for a shorter period. With just a few ingredients, the timing of each is important for the final result. Always use your best judgment as to when the squash has reached your preferred level of doneness. Slices can be…
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Root Vegetable Gratin
Spiraled in a baking dish, root vegetables form the base of a delicious gratin that can be served as fittingly for Thanksgiving or any holiday as it can be for an indulgent weeknight dinner. Potatoes give a familiar and comforting flavor while beets, turnips, rutabaga, and other varieties lend a bit more interest, with the choice of customization completely yours. Red beets are particularly delicious, though they do cause the entire dish to become quite tinged with their color. For this reason, you may wish to opt for the golden variety. As a holiday dish, this one disappears quickly and can take the place of mashed potatoes if you are…
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