Turkey recipes are usually passed down from generation to generation and therefore are considered sacred. However, you can add a twist of wholesome creativity to classic side dishes.
Sultan native Brenda Granstrom's family adds new items to their traditional Thanksgiving menu each year. Brenda states, "This year it's bacon wrapped turkey and maple-bacon yams; and regardless of the menu we always have sparkling cider in champagne glasses with our dinner to toast each other with.GÇ¥
Maple Bacon Sweet Mash
This take on maple-bacon yams, courtesy of http://www.myrecipes.com, is super tasty and flavorful. Add some bourbon to give it an extra kick of flavor.
4 sweet potatoes (about 2 pounds)
1 tbsp. softened butter
2 tbsp. fat-free milk
4 tsp. maple syrup
1 1/4 ounces cooked and crumbled bacon (about 3 slices)
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Poke each potato with a fork 3 to 4 times on each side. Wrap each potato in a damp paper towel. Microwave at HIGH 8 minutes, turning after 4 minutes. Cool slightly. Cut potatoes in half; scoop pulp into a bowl. Mash pulp.
2. Stir butter, milk, and syrup into potato pulp. Sprinkle with bite-sized bacon pieces.
3. For an extra kick, add a bit of bourbon to the potato mixture. Yum!
Festive Apple-Cranberry Walnut Salad (See photo at top of story)
Salads are left off many Thanksgiving menus; as underrated as they are, a colorful, beautiful salad can be a healthy, delicious option for many guests. Try the apple, cranberry and walnut salad'a sweet and savory side dish that won't pack on the pounds.
6 cups salad (I used a combination of arugula and baby spinach, any spring green mix will do)
1 red apple
1 green apple
1 cup walnuts, roughly chopped (such as Diamond of California)
Gàô cup crumbled feta cheese
Gàô cup dried cranberries
Dressing:
1 cup apple juice
4 tbsp. apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar in a pinch)
2 tbsp. honey
scant -+ tsp. salt
-+ tsp. black pepper
-+ cup oil
Pumpkin Mousse Shooters
Replace dense pumpkin pies with these light and delicious pumpkin mousse shooters.
2 oz. fat-free cream cheese, softened
1 can (15 oz.) solid-pack pumpkin
3/4 cup fat-free milk
1 package vanilla fat-free, sugar-free instant pudding mix
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/8 tsp. ground cloves
3 cups thawed, reduced-fat whipped topping, divided
4 gingersnap cookies, crushed
INSTRUCTIONS
Beat cream cheese in a mixing bowl at medium speed until smooth. Add pumpkin, milk, pudding mix, cinnamon, ginger and cloves and beat until smooth. Fold in 1 1/2 cups whipped topping. Spoon 1/4 cup mousse into each of the eight 6 oz. dessert glasses. Spoon 2 tablespoons whipped topping over mousse in each glass. Top with 1/4-cup mousse. Cover and refrigerate for about an hour. Top each shooter with remaining whipped topping and gingersnap crushed cookie crumbs. Delicious.
Apple Pie Punch
There's nothing better than homemade apple pie'except apple pie punch! Infused with sweet and spicy apple flavors, this refreshing concoction is the perfect beverage to accompany Thanksgiving dinner.
1 Apple
1qt. Apple Cider
24 oz. Ginger Ale
2 Cups Pear Nectar
Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Footballs
Sweeten things up with these adorable and delicious chocolate covered strawberries! Add some blue and green icing next to the white to make it Seahawk special.
1 1/2 cups dark chocolate chips
12-14 large strawberries
1/4 cup white chocolate chips
Melt Chocolate chips in microwave for about 30-40 seconds. Dip strawberries and place on wax paper. Use blue, green and white icing (or white chocolate) to decorate the strawberry with football and Seahawk decorations. Refrigerate for an hour, if desired, and then enjoy!
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment