Look at your calendars – You can literally see Thanksgiving just a few weeks away and I.CANNOT. WAIT for my favorite foods! I ate lunch a few minutes ago and my stomach is already growling thinking about it. But let’s be real about actually making the food; I love myself some turkey, but I don’t even know what kind to look for in the grocery store (I’ll leave that to the older folks in the family). If I can recreate the dish and have it taste the exact same as it does on Thanksgiving, you bet it’s around the top of my list; so, I’ve made a list of just a few. It was hard to pick only five, but it’s enough to hold you over ‘til the holidays!
1. Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes – So good. SO simple. (And so cheap, ‘cause Thanksgiving doesn’t pay for itself, amirite?)
Ingredients: 1 lb. potatoes, ½ head garlic, olive oil, 2 tbsp. sour cream, 2 tbsp. Butter
Steps: Bake garlic for 45 mins. in olive oil at 350 degrees. Boil and mash peeled potatoes. Whip all ingredients together to “mashed potato” consistency. Add salt and pepper.
2. Pumpkin Pie Mug Cake – It’s not the real pie, I’m sorry, but I don’t have enough room in my fridge to dedicate to a whole pie (or the time to make one). This is quick, painless, and as nostalgic as the real deal.
Ingredients: 2 graham crackers, 1/3 c. pumpkin puree, 1 egg, 1 tbsp. milk, 2 tbsp. brown sugar, 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice, ½ tsp. vanilla, dash of salt.
Steps: Crush crackers and pour into bottom of mug. Mix remaining ingredients, place in mug, and microwave 1 ½ to 2 minutes until solid.
3. Crockpot Green Bean Casserole – I could honestly eat this by the crockpot, no shame. It is the perfect side dish, right next to the sweet potatoes (up next!).
Ingredients: 1 (16 oz.) package frozen cut green beans, 2 cans cream of chicken soup, 2/3 c. milk, ½ c. parmesan, dash of salt and pepper, 1 (6 oz.) can French-fried onions.
Steps: Combine all ingredients (with only ½ of the onions!) in the crockpot. Cover and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours. Top with the rest of the onions, and try your best not to eat the whole thing.
4. Thanksgiving Sweet Tatoes (Personal Recipe) – These are straight up perfection; sweet potatoes are the perfect balance of sweet, not-too-sweet, filling, holiday amazingness.
Ingredients: 1 large sweet potato, ½ tbsp. butter, 1 tsp. brown sugar, 1 tsp. cinnamon, dash of salt.
Steps: Wash and pierce potato with a fork. Slice in half, place in aluminum foil with the rest of the ingredients spread around it. Wrap completely and bake at 400 degrees for 45 minutes, or ‘til soft.
5. Slow Cooker Rolls – It is NOT a holiday without giant pieces of bread.
Ingredients: 1 tbsp. corn meal, 1 can refrigerated crusty French Loaf dough, 2 tbsp. butter, ½ tsp. Salt.
Steps: Line crockpot with parchment paper and sprinkle cornmeal on the bottom. Cut dough into 7 pieces and place in crockpot. Brush with melted butter and salt. Cook on high for 1 hour and 40 mins. until golden brown.