Stuffing alternatives for a non-traditional Thanksgiving
Each week, fabulous recipes grace Debbie’s in-box and pop up on her computer screen, and she’s sharing her favorites with you.
I’ve got to admit, that even though I don’t eat wheat or white carbs, I always have a bite or two of stuffing on Thanksgiving. It’s partly because my dad makes the most wonderful stuffing imaginable, and partly because stuffing says “tradition” like no other side dish.
Imagine, for a moment, a Thanksgiving without a traditional stuffing. C’mon, try it — you’ll be all right. It’s fun to shake things up a bit and have something unexpected to put on your plate, isn’t it? If you’re a little too steeped in tradition and want to branch out a bit this year, here are some alternatives to a traditional stuffing that you and your guests are sure to enjoy. You might just create a new heirloom recipe for your family.
Garlic soup, mushroom quiche, apple tart – It’s a Recipe Roundup luncheon menu!
Entertaining midday is a luxury many working folk don’t get on a regular basis, unless you throw a weekend luncheon. But I’m telling you, this is one of my favorite ways to enjoy good food and a small group of cherished friends or family. From the show-off-the-new-house-to-the-aunties luncheon, to the I-don’t see-my-girlfriends-enough-anymore luncheon, there is always an occasion to have someone — anyone! — over to enjoy some savory lunch fare. I admit, I got out of the habit when Owen came along, complete with midday naps that squashed the happy luncheon party.
My love for the luncheon has ironically come back in recent months, and I have to give all of the credit to Owen. Our local moms’ group has gotten into the habit of throwing a monthly pot luck lunch, and damn, we are having fun! The kids are old enough that they play well together and we can chat and visit and enjoy the recipes that turn up every month. And dare I say you might, on occasion, find some wine at our buffet?
If you love lunch as much as I do, I hope you’ll enjoy this luncheon menu I put together from some favorite recipes that crossed my path recently.
Heidi Swanson’s Tassajara warm cabbage salad – Recipe Test Drive
You only think you know how good this recipe might taste. I’m pretty good at reading recipes, in that I can tell not only what a recipe will taste like, but also what to alter to make it better.
I left this one completely alone.
My carnivorous husband, who moans and groans when I serve a vegetarian dinner, said he’d eat this dish as a stand-alone meal. He just offered that information, mind you, he was not asked.
Are you convinced yet?
Tamale pie, black bean sweet potato chili and other one dish wonders – Recipe Roundup
Each week, fabulous recipes grace Debbie’s in-box and pop up on her computer screen, and she’s sharing her favorites with you.
Remember when I posted all of those freeze ahead meals? I’m still on my one dish kick. I guess I’m not so much scouring the internet for one dish meals, but when they cross my path I can’t help but perk up and take notice.
Well, I certainly noticed these casserole and soup recipes this week. The other theme, besides being cooked in one dish? Flavor, and lots of it.
Orange pan-glazed tempeh – Recipe Test Drive
It’s been a while since I’ve cooked tempeh, and a longer while since I tried to do anything fun with it. When Owen was younger, one of his favorite foods was pan-fried tempeh strips. They were so easy for him to grab and eat and just as easy for me to pack for our outings.
When divine intervention hit and I bought tempeh on a whim last week, I was excited to cook it again for my little man. It didn’t go exactly as I had planned. I definitely didn’t expect him to run to the sink, wailing, “Texture! Texture!” and spit it out. I guess there’s no love lost between the ex-tempeh lover and Heidi Swanson’s orange pan-glazed tempeh recipe. Keith and I, on the other hand, happily devoured it.
Zucchini bites, edamame succotash and green beans with poppy seed sauce – Recipe Roundup
Each week, fabulous recipes grace Debbie’s in-box and pop up on her computer screen, and she’s sharing her favorites with you.
I’m just not sure what theme I ended up with this week, though perhaps “yummy recipes” is good enough. They are mostly side dishes — rice and veggies — with the exception of a succotash recipe that even a four-year-old could love.
In the interest of always trying to sneak in more veggies in a fun food, these zucchini bites caught my eye. They are basically very eggy cheese biscuits, almost like a quiche with the crust mixed in. I know my kiddo will love these, and they look easy enough to make.
Heidi Swanson’s Double broccoli quinoa – Recipe Test Drive … sort of
I recently highlighted Heidi Swanson’s recipe for double broccoli quinoa in my Recipe Roundup column. I mentioned that I’d like to try it sometime but using roasted broccoli instead of steamed.
Yeah, this post isn’t about that, because I did use the steamed. I did, however, add, subtract and substitute a few things to tailor this recipe to our family’s tastes. I’m not sure I can scream loudly enough what brilliant taste buds that Heidi Swanson has. This recipe was bursting with flavor and I loved every single bite. And there were a lot of bites, because I overate immensely.
Most Commented (Past Week)