In need of some inspiration for Thanksgiving? Well, you’ve come to the right slideshow.
Ah, Thanksgiving. It’s usually viewed as the ideal holiday to spend time with your family members, catch up with distant relatives you haven’t heard from in a while, and rekindle those old flames with ex flings… or ignite new ones.
However, due to the current circumstances, your annual family feast may not bring the same amount of people it did previously.
Regardless of the situation, chances are, that Turkey is still getting carved, the mashed potatoes will make their presents felt, the pecan pie will be a highlight of pure delight, and grandma’s world-famous mac and cheese is still going to make its way into your mouth with or without her in the same house as you.
While it’s depressing to think about spending the holidays without being able to give the ones you love the hugs and kisses that you used to, all hope for a happy Thanksgiving isn’t lost. Read on to find out how you can make this year’s turkey day feast all the more memorable with some unique ideas from around the web!
The Gobler From New Amsterdam Vodka
While there are plenty of great New Amsterdam vodka products to choose from, it’s the holiday season. What better way to get into the holiday cheer than by trying a cocktail that’s tailor-made for the holidays? Get in the mood the right way, reward yourself for the year you’ve had, and try The Gobler.
Like most of the items on this list, you don’t have to go through the trouble of doing anything too complex. For the most part, all you’ll need is some New Amsterdam brand vodka and hard cider mixed cranberry and orange juice.
After you’ve gotten your ingredients in order, combine and stir everything into a bowl filled with ice cubes and you’ve viola! you’ve just created The Gobler. Just don’t forget to add the bells and whistles like rosemary and pear slices on the side.
Cranberry-Almond Broccoli Salad
A not so talked about, yet highly beloved Thanksgiving dish is broccoli salad. With all the sweets, treats, and meats associated with the holiday, it’s only right that leafy green vegetables like broccoli aren’t forgotten about.
Some prefer casseroles, some like them just the way they are, but this entry is dedicated to all the salad lovers out there.
To make a Cranberry-Almond Broccoli Salad, you’ll need broccoli, mayo, vinegar, honey, salt, pepper, greek yogurt, chopped red onion, almonds, bacon, and cranberries. Keep in mind, it’s a salad, the list of ingredients are to be expected.
Hard Cider Gravy
Although there are numerous alternatives to hot, savory, juicy gravy poured over turkey on Thanksgiving day, this dynamic duo is a staple for the holiday season. Over the years, there have been various variations for both of these Thanksgiving classics.
In regards to the saucy one, a particular combination that stands out from all of the rest is hard cider mixed with Thanksgiving gravy.
It comes to us by way of a Real Simple article. The best part is that hard cider gravy isn’t all that “hard” to make and only requires a small number of ingredients. Simply put, if you have cider, salt, pepper, butter, broth, and flour; you’ve got yourself some gravy.
Turkey Sliders
It just wouldn’t be right if I didn’t take a moment to acknowledge the meaty part of the dynamic duo, would it? Yes, that’s right. As you may or may not know (living under a rock, I see), Thanksgiving turkey can come in all shapes, sizes, and forms.
With the ever so popular trend of burger and chicken sliders growing rapidly, it makes total sense that this trend has found its way over to the holiday of giving thanks.
Instead of giving you the rundown of the ingredients you need or how to put the sandwich together, I’m going to do one better and assume you’ve seen what a slider from Sonic looks like. Well, for the most part, it’s the same except for the fact that the turkey replaces the beef or chicken, of course.
The Mac & Cheese Cornbread Combo
Kraft, Velvetta, Annie’s, oh my! No matter what the brand is, macaroni is one of the most beloved and iconic side dishes on the planet earth. While you may think macaroni and cornbread don’t make the best mix, you’ll soon realize you were sadly mistaken after you take that first bite.
Arguably, the most common way of combining the two is by using the cornbread as a topping or crust. However, this certainly isn’t the only method. From adding extra ingredients like bacon or jalapenos to making mini macaroni and cheese cornbread muffins, the possibilities are endless.
In any case and no matter how you decide to customize, it’s safe to say that these two items have more in common besides sharing the same color.
Stovetop Cinnamon Hot Chocolate
The holiday season usually signifies cold weather. Besides wearing jackets and blasting your heater to stay warm, there’s nothing better than a steaming hot cup of cocoa on a freezing cold winter morning.
If you’re in the mood for something different (and you’re looking to add a little spice to your beverage), some cinnamon might just be what you’re looking for.
This recipe comes to us by way of Jelly Toast. Much like a lot of things on this list, this idea doesn’t require a lot of ingredients or complex directions. To make it, all you need is milk, sugar, some cocoa powder, marshmallows, and cinnamon.
Ham & Soda
Although it’s not quite as traditional as turkey, ham still plays a pivotal part in Thanksgiving dinner for many families worldwide. While it’s perhaps better known for being cooked with brown sugar or having some pineapples on the side, there are those that prefer ham to be cooked in soda.
You can find numerous videos and articles on the internet giving instructions about how to cook a ham in Coke, Sprite, Dr. Pepper, Root Beer, you name it!
If you’re a Dr. Pepper fan, this article from delish.com is ideal for you. The essentials are as follows: ham, dijon mustard, pineapple juice, brown sugar, whole cloves, Dr. Pepper, and a sliced pineapple to make your Thanksgiving masterpiece all the more appetizing.
Bourbon-Brown Butter Pecan Pie
From one sweet idea to yet another sweet idea, we now move on to Bourbon-Brown Butter Pecan Pie. Thanksgiving wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without desserts like sweet potato pie, rice pudding, cobbler, and the aforementioned pecan pie.
If you don’t want to go the usual route and you’re looking to modify your pecan pie dessert this year, the Bourbon-Brown Butter Pecan Pie is a great way to keep the tradition shtick alive while adding more flavor to the mix.
This spin on the classic pecan pastry comes to us by way of an article written by Jenn Segal. The post includes a step by step guide about how to make the dish as well as the required ingredients. It’s a pretty in-depth piece and a must-read for readers seeking a more advanced version of pecan pie.
What will you be having this Thanksgiving and how will you celebrate?