They’re the ones that bring you coffee as you study for midterms, make you calm amidst mental breakdowns, pose for endless pictures, and have endless laughing fits with. They’re the ones that get you through each semester – heck, they’re the ones that get you through each day… your friends.
What would we do without them? During the school year it may get tough to show your appreciation for having them in your life, but start a new tradition this year! Before saying goodbye for the week of Thanksgiving break (and before your pants fit much tighter), throw a celebratory ‘Friends-giving’ party to get into the Thanksgiving mood. Let this time be for reliving memories of the past few months, being thankful for having each other, and making many new memories.
So, instead of having one person spend an entire day with the stove, here are some fun holiday recipes to split up amongst guests and enjoy a stress-free potluck dinner!
Cooking an entire turkey is no easy task. Not only does it take hours on end, it also would mean that you have a whole crowd of people to feed. Unless of course you think your small group of friends can finish off a 17-pound turkey, in that case, more power to you! However, if you don’t feel like going through the headache of making all that food for just a few people, try using Cornish hens. One hen can comfortably feed two people, so plan accordingly. They are small, juicy, and flavorful, so they make an ideal replacement for a typical turkey.
Smooth and soft mashed potatoes…what’s homier than that? This recipe breaks down the components of mashed potatoes and gives you a thorough explanation about the need for each ingredient. You’ll see which potatoes are best for mashing and how much liquid to add to make sure your dish comes out fluffy, rather than lumpy and coarse.
Thick chunks of bread infused with tons of flavor? Please and thank you. This stuffing recipe is easy to follow and doesn’t require very many ingredients, so it is a great dish to make in a pinch. You can even use your very own chicken stock to add a more homemade feel, but if you read labels carefully for ‘low sodium’ stock, no one will be able to tell the difference.
Fresh seasonal vegetables baked with herbs and pungent oils are a light break in the midst of a filling thanksgiving feast. This combination of vegetables can be adapted in a ton of ways; feel free to omit and add any veggies you have on hand.
If you aren’t over the huge pumpkin trend (which I hope you aren’t, pumpkin is delicious) then you have to try this delicious treat to round out your meal. The spongy cake is light and airy, and the cream cheese filling is spiced with nutmeg and cinnamon to add an incredible amount of ‘fall’ flavor to the dessert. The dusting of powdered sugar on top is a simple way to hide any imperfections that occurred while rolling the cake and is an extra touch of sweetness.
Now get to cooking and make sure to have your eatin’ pants’ on!