Wednesday, November 6, 2019

The Top Thanksgiving Tips and Tricks from Food Bloggers

Friendsgiving tips from influencers

Influencers—they’re just like us. They’ve had Friendsgiving mishaps ranging from the prized turkey ending up in a mop bucket to pouring chocolate sauce all over their savory Thanksgiving dinner plate. But the good news is they were willing to share their mistakes so you can learn from them. You know the old saying: do what they say and not what they do, and you’ll fly through Friendsgiving or Thanksgiving with ease.

Food Faith Fit

Gluten Free Stuffing

Food Faith Fitness

“My very first time that I made a turkey, I wanted to go ALL OUT and brine it the day before. However, being a newbie turkey maker, I didn’t know you would need a BIG stock pot to fit the bird and brine in. So, I had everything prepped and ready and I went to brine the turkey the day before and had nothing to put it in. Big WHOOPS! So, I had to get “creative” and brine it in a mop bucket. Don’t worry, I made sure I washed it out REAL good before! This Easy Gluten Free Stuffing recipe is the perfect complement to a well-brined turkey, and since it’s a remake of my grandma’s recipe it’s very special to me.”

Cooks Standard 12-Quart Classic Stainless Steel Stockpot with Lid, $35.38 on Amazon

Don't brine your turkey in a mop bucket—use this instead. It's great for soups and stews too.
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Last Ingredient

Roasted Delicata Squash Couscous

Last Ingredient

“I still tease a friend about the time she insisted that everything at Friendsgiving was served hot. The traffic jam at the oven was a total disaster with all the reheating. Potlucks should be fun and stress free, so make dishes that are good eaten at room temperature. Perfect timing at the table is pretty much an impossible feat. Save that for a restaurant where there are professionals. You can still have your squash. Just pair it with a few other ingredients like in this Roasted Delicata Squash Couscous recipe, which is a grain salad and side in one.”

Threshold Mosiac Design Serving Platter, $9.99 at Target

A pretty serving platter enhances even the most already-perfect eating experience.
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The Baker Mama

Garlic Thyme Turkey Gravy

The Baker Mama

“One Friendsgiving, I put the chocolate sauce for the cake I was serving for dessert in a gravy boat so it would be easy to pass around the table and drizzle over the cake when we were eating dessert. Somehow, the chocolate sauce ended up on the table during the main feast and one of my friends thought it was the gravy and drizzled it all over his plate of turkey, mashed potatoes, and dressing. He took one bite and quickly realized the mishap. We were all dying laughing and still tease him about it every year. I’ll never serve the chocolate sauce out of a gravy boat again. ;) This Garlic Thyme Turkey Gravy recipe is what he should have been pouring over his plate.”

NorPro Porcelain Gravy Sauce Boat with Stand and Candle, $19.95 on Amazon

The warming stand means no more cold, congealed gravy (or chocolate sauce).
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Eat Pray Gluten Free

Vegan Chocolate Tart

Pinch of Yum

“For my annual Friendsgiving we always end up with extra dessert—it doesn’t really matter who is assigned what, the sweet tooth always prevails. Before I got really into cooking, most pies and intricate desserts felt incredibly intimidating—so my flop is more of a confession. Store bought cookies—o m g. Guilty as charged. Fast forward to years later and one of my biggest passions is finding and testing recipes. I love to experiment with ingredients or flavors you wouldn’t imagine in a dish and show my loved ones how delicious these alternatives can be—with a gluten allergy, a girl’s got to get creative! May I introduce you to this Mind-Blowing Vegan Chocolate Pie recipe? The main ingredient? TOFU. What’s comical is that I don’t really care for tofu, yet this pie touches the depths of my soul with its chocolatey sea salt goodness.

ORBLUE Flatware Stainless Steel Pie Server, $9.87 on Amazon

Don't struggle with a butter knife; get a proper pie server with a serrated edge and ergonomic handle to make dishing up dessert neat and easy.
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For more great tips, tricks, and hacks, see our Ultimate Guide to Friendsgiving and visit our Thanksgiving headquarters.

Related Video: How to Make Honey Harissa Carrots for Your Friendsgiving Spread



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Swap Stuffing for a Mushroom and Gruyère Breading Pudding This Thanksgiving

This bread pudding recipe replaces sweet ingredients for all things savory. Whip up a tray on a cold winter night or add it to the wealth of Thanksgiving sides this year. 

Made up of torn bread and baked with eggs and dairy to form a custard, bread pudding is the ultimate comfort food. But who says bread pudding has to always be sweet? This savory spin boasts earthy mushrooms and sharp cheese, baked in a gooey egg custard. 

Whether you’re serving it as a holiday side or a dinner party centerpiece, this hearty vegetarian version is the ideal dish for cold winter nights. We’re not saying you have to scrap the stuffing this Thanksgiving, but after trying this mushroom and cheese bread pudding, you just might want to. 

Related Reading: 18 Great Thanksgiving Desserts That Aren’t Pie

Alexis deBoschnek

Mix it Up: Fillings

The real benefit of this recipe is that you can get creative with the fillings. Use the recipe proportions as a guideline to experiment.

The Cheese

Gruyère adds a salty nuttiness that pairs perfectly with earthy mushrooms, but you can also use another melty cheese like cheddar or fontina for a more subtle flavor.

Alexis deBoschnek

The Dairy

Heavy cream makes this dish incredibly decadent (in a good way!), but you can swap it for whole milk, half & half, or even vegetable stock for a more health-conscious option.

Pyrex Clear Glass Baking Dishes, $24.64 on Amazon

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The Bread

Challah’s airy texture is ideal for soaking up the custard (essentially a whisking of eggs and cream), but brioche and sourdough (with the crust removed), can also be substituted. No matter what bread you go with, though, make sure to let the bread pudding rest for 30 minutes: This allows the flavors to marinate within the bread and really get that thick, pudding-like texture.

Related Reading: What Is the Difference Between Challah and Brioche?

A Note on Mushrooms

Chanterelle! Shiitake! Cremini! Enoki! Oyster! Choose your favorites, because this recipe works with any type of mushroom, although a mix adds a nice texture and flavor contrast. If you don’t have access to an abundance of mushrooms, sticking with just cremini or shiitake will work just fine.

Alexis deBoschnek

When you’re making the mushrooms, keep one thing in mind: The number one cooking rule of salting early and often doesn’t apply here. Mushrooms are naturally full of moisture, and salting too soon will draw out more moisture, leaving you with something more slimy than savory. Hold off on seasoning until they’re cooked down and most of the moisture has already evaporated.

Mushroom and Gruyère Bread Pudding Recipe

While the bread pudding does take some time to bake, the active time on this recipe is short. All you’ll need is a large mixing bowl, a whisk, and a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Mushroom and Gruyère Bread Pudding

Prep Time: 20 minutesCook Time: 45 minutesServes: 8 servings
Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for greasing
  • 1 large shallot, minced
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 6 cups mixed wild mushrooms, thinly sliced
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1½ cups heavy cream
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup grated gruyère
  • ¼ cup chives, plus more for serving
  • 6 cups challah, cubed
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350˚F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter.
  2. In a large pan, add the butter over medium high heat. Once the butter is melted, add the shallots and cook for 2 minutes, until the shallots begin to soften.
  3. Add the garlic and rosemary and stir for 30 seconds, until the garlic is fragrant.
  4. Add the mushrooms and cook for 6-8 minutes, until cooked down. Season with salt and pepper. Reserve the mushroom mixture off the heat.
  5. In a large bowl, add the heavy cream, eggs, gruyère, and chives, making sure to season with salt and pepper, and whisk to combine.
  6. Add the challah and reserved mushrooms and stir until fully incorporated. Let rest for 30 minutes at room temperature.
  7. Bake for about 45 minutes, or until the top is browned and custard is baked through. Let cool for at least 15 minutes before serving. Top with chives.


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How to Accommodate Vegan Guests During Thanksgiving

vegan butternut squash kale salad recipe with tahini dressing

Thanksgiving is a festive occasion that should be focused on having fun, giving thanks, and savoring a great meal with family and friends you love. However, when you’re hosting, it’s also likely you’ll have to accommodate those with dietary restrictions, and vegans can definitely intimidate even the most confident of home cooks. But don’t let the no-animal-foods-no-animal-byproducts mandate paralyze you in the kitchen.

Below, a few full-proof guidelines to hosting your vegan friends and relatives during the holidays.

Veganize Some Dishes You Already Love

You don’t have to start from scratch when it comes to meal-planning for vegans, and you certainly don’t need to craft homemade tofurkey (unless you’re feeling super ambitious and generous).

homemade tofurkey recipe vegan Thanksgiving main

Chowhound

Instead, you can probably easily adjust some dishes you were already planning to make. “This will help the vegan guest feel more included and introduce others to something new and healthy,” says Lisa Robinson-Redd of Red Robin Song Animal Sanctuary.

“Many times, what is frustrating for a vegan is to see a delicious plate of vegetables and learn it’s almost vegan except for the large dollop of butter.” Replace the cow’s milk butter with one of the many healthier plant-based butters like Earth Balance, and nobody will know the difference.

Miyoko's Organic Cultured Vegan Butter, $5.99 at Target

This is another great brand to try.
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Related Reading: How to Cook for Vegans as a Hardcore Omnivore

Replace Dairy and Eggs with Ease

If side dishes like cornbread and desserts like pudding call for milk, there’s no need to scratch them from the menu. Instead, you can substitute with a non dairy milk. The list is long when it comes to plant and nut based options: oat milk, flax milk, hemp milk, walnut milk, soy milk, almond milk, rice milk, cashew milk.

non dairy vegan mashed potatoes

Chowhound

Related Reading: How to Make Creamy Dairy-Free Mashed Potatoes

Eggs, on the other hand, are the only thing standing between many dishes and the vegans who may otherwise devour them. Happily, there are many egg replacements available. Commercial brands like VeganEgg from Follow Your Heart and Vegg, a vegan egg yolk cooking alternative, are so good you’ll never notice the difference. Relative newcomer JUST Egg is another plant-based, cholesterol-free option.

When veganizing a tried-and-true favorite, take the time to test the modification to your recipe before Friendsgiving. That can help ensure the recipe is as yummy as usual or show you where you need to additionally modify it to make sure it works.

Ask Your Vegan Friend for Help

Plant-Based PerfectionVegan Thanksgiving Dishes Everyone Will LoveIf you’re unsure what flies and are relentlessly Googling in the kitchen, simply ask your vegan guest for help with menu-planning. Just be real and let them know any areas you’re struggling with. Besides, it’s better to learn more about the kinds of foods your friend generally likes to eat on Thanksgiving. That way, you don’t make a commercial vegan holiday roast for someone who doesn’t eat processed food.

“One of the best things a host can do for the vegan at their Thanksgiving table is to communicate with them,” vegan composer and performer Michael Harren. “Vegans love talking about food almost as much as they love eating it. Not only will you get some great food ideas, but it will give you a chance to connect with your loved one over something that might have once felt like a big difference between you.”

When talking to your vegan friend, you may also want to ask how much they want to share about their lifestyle and beliefs at the dinner. It can be awkward for some vegans to talk about why they chose to be a vegan (which is inevitably asked) while sitting at a dinner where people are eating meat. However, others love talking about it. Be sure to check in to see whether your vegan friend wants you to bring up the topic during dinner.

Vegan Thanksgiving Box, $65 at Purple Carrot

This vegan Thanksgiving feast for four can also be incorporated into an omnivorous spread for more vegan options.
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Share Vegan Dishes Without an Announcement

The nice thing about serving vegan dishes (like our Sautéed Brussels Sprouts with Fried Capers recipe below, or the Kale and Butternut Squash Salad at the top of this page) at your Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving celebration is that all guests can enjoy them. You don’t need to make a big announcement about which dishes are vegan beyond letting your vegan guest know which ones are safe, which should be done in private before the dinner.

sauteed brussels sprouts recipe

Chowhound

“At our guesthouse, we serve people vegan food all the time who are not used to this lifestyle,” says Robinson-Redd. “They so often comment how surprised they are about how great everything tastes. Depending on your other guests, you may not even want to tell them the dishes are vegan. Only let them know after they tell you how great everything tasted!”

Related Video: These Vegan CBD Cookies Are Perfect for Your Holiday Dessert Table



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Chrissy Teigen’s New Food Site Is As Fun & Sassy As She Is

If you’re hungry for more of Chrissy Teigen’s particular brand of food-centric sass (and who isn’t?) then today is a good day.  Teigen launched her new website Cravings as a place for the cookbook author and social media icon to share recipes, cooking tips, social posts, stories, and video content, and also a place for fans to ask questions (which she actually responds to), and share their own related content.

cravingsbychrissyteigen.com

So what exactly is on Cravings? Recipes, of course, and the crave-able, no-fuss sort that Teigen is known for like Garlic Roasted Bacon, Creamy Crab & Arugula Pasta, and Tom Yum Thai Deviled Eggs. There is also some original editorial content like Chrissy Teigen’s guides to New York and L.A. restaurants (one of which has already drawn some critical eyes), travel journaling, and even some how-to type pieces.

Related Reading: The Best Way to Cook Bacon Is Actually the Easiest

Cravings by Chrissy Teigen, $20 on Amazon

The cookbook that started it all.
Buy Now

This social media maven isn’t shy in front of the camera either, so expect a lot of video content including playful cooking tutorials with frequent appearances from Teigen’s handsome husband John Legend, along with their two adorable kids. And Teigen didn’t build this empire without a solid business plan and a penchant for product, so you can bet she’ll be hawking her many cookbooks, and signature kitchenware. (But we love that stuff as much as we love her so it’s totally fine).

The site, which launched earlier this week and bears the same name as one of her most popular cookbooks, greets all with a message that makes me feel personally seen, “Grab a drink, turn on some Housewives, and let’s cook, talk, and do all the things…I hope you enjoy!”

I have a feeling we will.



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Vegan Alternatives to Famous Thanksgiving Dishes

vegan Thanksgiving recipe

These vegan Thanksgiving recipes can sneak onto a conventional table or make up their own plant-based feast.

No one likes to hear the words “dietary restrictions” around the time of a holiday that’s literally centered on food, but when setting the table for a mixed crowd, it can be helpful to whip up options that everyone can enjoy.

Thanksgiving has never been the vegan-friendliest celebration—the pilgrims were not carving up a tofurkey, for instance—but a little bit of ingenuity can not only make every mouth happy at dinner but also lighten up the meal to leave plenty of room for seconds or dessert (and then seconds of dessert).

If you’ve got a fully vegan crew, then consider your menu planned. If you’re hosting both vegan and non-vegan guests, consider offering some of these plant-based versions of classic Thanksgiving dishes side-by-side. If you’re simply interested in cutting back on dairy, eggs, and meat to make dinner a healthier or more earth-conscious affair, you probably don’t even need to say the word “vegan” when you put these dishes out to share—they’re so good, they don’t need any introduction.

The Superfun Times Vegan Holiday Cookbook, $19.31 on Amazon

Get even more recipes for the holiday season.
Buy Now

Pumpkin Protein Platter

vegan Thanksgiving recipe

istetiana / Moment / GettyImages

This recipe is a bit labor-intensive, but hey, so is turkey—all that defrosting and brining and roasting and basting and resting and carving, who wants to go through that trouble? Instead, take the time, energy, and enthusiasm you normally reserve for the bird into mixing up this protein platter of pumpkin-crusted tempeh, quinoa, roasted chestnuts, and roasted pumpkin for a seasonal sensation that will quickly have you thinking, “Turkey? What turkey?” (Bonus: totally guilt-free leftovers for sandwiches the next day.) Get the Pumpkin Protein Platter recipe.

Hasselback Butternut Squash

For an easier but no less impressive vegan main, hasselback butternut squash is absolutely perfect. This recipe glazes the roasted, scored squash halves with honey, olive oil, Dijon mustard, fresh sage, and thyme and tops them off with chopped pecans. Obviously the honey is not vegan, but there’s an easy, totally autumn-appropriate fix: Swap in maple syrup instead. Simple and stunning. Get the Hasselback Butternut Squash recipe.

Vegan Thanksgiving Box, $65 at Purple Carrot

Even easier: order a full vegan Thanksgiving feast that serves 4, with hasselback butternut squash as the star and all the trimmings, plus dessert.
Buy Now

Green Beans with Garlic Mushroom Sauce

herbed fresh green bean caserole recipe

Chowhound

This garlicky-good side dish will make everybody forget the old-fashioned limp green beans with slivered almonds that passes as a “healthy” side at these get-togethers. A creamy mushroom sauce made from non-dairy milk, non-dairy butter, and a tiny bit of flour subs in for a heavy béchamel without sacrificing any of the flavor, and the beans stay crisp enough to remind you that yes, you are in fact eating real vegetables. Get the Green Beans with Garlic Mushroom Sauce recipe.

No-Cream Creamed Spinach

Another easy way to add some green to the plate is with a heaping helpful of coconut-cream spinach, comfort food at the ultimate. Frozen spinach not only makes this dish a cinch to slap together, but it also gives it that perfect kind of gloopy texture you remember from holidays (and cafeterias) past. Get the No-Cream Creamed Spinach recipe.

Aquafaba Topped Sweet Potato Casserole

There are two types of people in this world: Those who like their sweet potatoes with marshmallow, and those who don’t. Thankfully we’ve got both covered: This dish calls for a spiced topping of aquafaba—chickpea-can liquid or pot liquor whipped up into a cream-like foam—that is fluffy, sweet, and as heaven-pillow light as roasted marshmallows, without the icky gelatin. If you like your side dishes to straddle the border between dinner and dessert, this recipe is your ticket to paradise. Get the Aquafaba Topped Sweet Potato Casserole recipe.

Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Crumble

Not into the marshmallow thing? No problem: This nutty, maple-syrup-kissed casserole has the perfect balance of warm homey flavors, slight crunch, and sweet, comforting decadence—no ‘mallows (or substitutes) to be seen. Get the Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Crumble recipe.

Cranberry Sauce

easy cranberry sauce recipe

Chowhound

You can’t have Thanksgiving without cranberry sauce, and this easy homemade version is naturally vegan, as long as you make sure to buy beet sugar (which is never processed with bone char). Fresh orange juice and zest help brighten it up. Get our Cranberry Sauce recipe.

Cornbread Stuffing

Jiffy cornbread mix is the secret ingredient to this vegetarian classic, combining the sweetness of corn with the depth of flavor added by the Scarborough Fair flavors of parsley, sage, and thyme. (See below for rosemary, to complete the tune.) Onion and celery add texture, and a bit of imitation-chicken flavor rounds out the “Wait, this is vegan?” surprise. Get the Cornbread Stuffing recipe.

Vegan Cranberry Stuffing

Look, why not have two stuffings on the table? Heaven knows everybody loves stuffing. This sweet-and-savory version combines the tart pop of cranberries with the earthy, herbaceous note of sage and umami-rich mushrooms for a more complex flavor profile that is so good it can almost anchor the plate as a main. Smash leftovers into patties and pan fry them for the perfect griddle cake, topped with poached or fried eggs for your non-vegan morning gang. Get the Vegan Cranberry Stuffing recipe.

Pumpkin-Cheesecake Pie

Creamy, sweet, luxurious, and the perfect way to end an evening of plant-based indulgence, this show-stopping pie builds on a date-nut crust with a creamy layer of tangy cashew-cheesecake and a classic top of silky pumpkin goodness. Serve with a scoop of vanilla soy or coconut-milk iced cream and a steaming cup of hot coffee, and you’ve simply outdone yourself this year, my friend. Get the Pumpkin-Cheesecake Pie recipe.

Vegan Pecan Pie

But okay, one more, because pecan pie has its diehard fans too. This corn syrup-free pecan pie combines vegan butter, coconut sugar, maple syrup, creamy coconut milk, vanilla, and lots of pecans with a bit of cornstarch to help bind the filling. Top with a dollop of coconut whipped cream. Get the Vegan Pecan Pie recipe.

For more Thanksgiving tips, hacks, and recipes, check out our Ultimate Thanksgiving Guide and our Ultimate Friendsgiving Guide.​

And for more vegan menu ideas, check out The Best YouTube Cooking Shows for Vegans.

Related Video: Delicious Vegan Friendsgiving Cookies with CBD Oil



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