Maple Bread Pudding

Bread pudding is one of those indulgent breakfasts (or breakfast for dinner!) to save for a special occasion. The creamy bread inside with the addition of maple syrup and the crunchy caramelized exterior are the perfect combination. Prepare this in advance and reheat on the morning after Thanksgiving for a delicious breakfast treat for all your guests. Adapted from WebsByMegan.

Spanish Omelet

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I remember making Spanish Omelets as a kid – in fact, I think this is one of the first full dishes I really learned how to make on my own. The great thing about this is that there is not one formula for making this omelet, so it’s a great last minute meal when you have nothing but the basics in your pantry and fridge. In my version, you just fill it with your favorite sautéed vegetables and cheese, top it with a simple tomato sauce and you have an easy and delicious dinner on the table in minutes. Keep this recipe in mind for the day before Thanksgiving, when in the midst of all the preparation chaos, there are still hungry little people that want to be fed….

Corn and Calabaza Squash Soup

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This is the season for winter squash! This soup makes a great starter for a Thanksgiving feast or any fall/winter meal. Instead of a sweet tasting winter squash soup, this soup uses coconut milk and cilantro along with corn, to create a unique Thai-inspired winter squash soup. Surprise your dinner guests with this unexpected fall soup at your next dinner!

Roasted Acorn Squash

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This acorn squash is a great Thanksgiving or Fall side dish, and super easy to prepare. Most people tend to cook winter squash with sweet additions, but I love roasting them with savory and hearty winter flavors. Placing herbs under the acorn squash dome, gives the flesh an added earthy flavor and is a great complement to the caramelized flesh.

Whole Grilled Fish

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Do you grill in the winter? We do! And when I say “we,” I mean my husband. (He has been known to shovel a path in the snow to get to our grill…) This is a delicious fish dinner for those who are not scared of touching and looking at a whole fish - eyeballs and all! I love to make this with whole fresh rainbow trout, when I see it at the store. The flavor from the lemons and parsley, along with the smoky grill, give this dish just enough flavor, without overwhelming the fresh taste of fish itself.

Cauliflower with Curried Yogurt

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Cauliflower and Yogurt is a heavenly combination, and the presentation of this dish on a platter is also an eye catcher. The added sweetness and crunch from the golden raisins and pistachios is an unexpected surprise. My daughter has been known to lick the platter clean, making sure to get every last drop of the curry spiced yogurt. If you’ve never had this combination, give it a try!

Sweet potatoes with chickpeas

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There’s always drama around the vegetarian at the Thanksgiving Table: What should I make for the person who isn’t going to eat turkey? This is a great vegan dish, which features sweet potatoes (a thanksgiving staple) and is a great meatless meal any night of the week. The addition of protein with the crispy roasted chickpeas and the warm sweet potatoes drizzled with spicy tahini will have all the turkey eaters asking for a bite! (adapted from Cooking Light)

Creamy (cream-less) Tomato Soup

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Creamy Tomato soup is delicious, but who can eat all that cream on a regular weeknight dinner? Cooks Illustrated (of course) came up with a great way to mimic the creaminess of tomato soup without the cream, and this recipe is an adaptation from that. This easy to make soup, is our go to soup to eat with grilled cheese and our favorite paninis. I love to make extra and freeze some for future use.

Make Your Own Panini

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Make your own panini dinner rivals taco night in our house. We lay out a spread of different cheeses, along with condiments, like pesto and an array of mustards, and of course lots of different fun veggies to choose from. You can use the below list as a starting point for inspiration. Everyone picks their favorite fillings and waits patiently (☺) while their Panini cooks and gets brown and crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside.

Slow Cooker Belgian Beef Stew

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There is nothing like coming home from a long day of work, to the smells of beef, beer and onions simmering in the kitchen. The first time we made this crock pot beef stew, we could not believe how flavorful it was. The Chimay beer is a must for this recipe, so don’t skimp on the beer. Enjoy this stew served over buttered egg noodles and your favorite green veggie. (Adapted from Jewish Slow Cooker)