Thanksgiving Recipes Round-Up!

Whipped Rutabaga with Crispy Shallots
Whipped Rutabaga with Crispy Shallots

It may seem as though there’s even less certainty than usual in the world at the moment. If one thing is certain, though, it’s that this time next week, most of the US will be engaged in stuffing a turkey and then stuffing themselves, with the turkey, like some kind of human Turducken – let’s call it a “Turstuffan” (unless you’re actually stuffing yourselves with a stuffed Turducken, in which case I don’t know what to call you).

It’s also the biggest cooking occasion at Nerds HQ  – generally we cook for ourselves and then say “hey look internet, we made a thing, ok thx bai” – but this day, of all days, we’re committed to cooking for a large group who aren’t afraid to give their instant feedback. It’s intimidating! We couldn’t do it without a set of tried-and-tested Thanksgiving recipes that we have tweaked over the years to make them really tasty and, just as importantly, to keep preparation and cooking as stress-free as possible. (We’ll never forget the year we accidentally brined the kitchen floor with about 10 gallons of spiced saltwater.)

So here are our dishes. Appetizers, entree and sides, the all-important gravy (you don’t have to make your own stock, but if you can swing it, it adds amazing flavor), sides that’ll knock your socks off, desserts, and some great ways to use up the inevitable leftovers. We hope you find these Thanksgiving recipes as enjoyable to make and eat as we do.

Finally, and most importantly, this holiday is about gratitude, so we want to take the opportunity to say thank you. Specifically, thank you, you reader there, you. We started this blog as a way to get our recipes down in writing where we’d be able to find them again. It has grown in ways we never expected, and it has become a springboard for our cooking, writing and food photography.

Your encouragement, positive comments, ideas and adaptations are what keep us coming back week after week to make something new that you might like. Most of all, seeing you cook, enjoy, adapt, and document your own versions means more to us than we can say. Please keep letting us know how the recipes worked for you, and send us your pictures! You can always tag us on Instagram (@nerdswithknives) or just comment under a recipe post. We always appreciate it.

From us, Matt and Emily, to you, your families, your kitchen and table, we wish you the very best and we can’t wait to show you what we have planned next! Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving recipes: Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy with Calvados (Apple Brandy)
Make Ahead Turkey Gravy with Calvados (Apple Brandy)

 

(GF) – Gluten Free / (V) – Vegetarian / (Vegan) – Animal Product Free. Recipes in bold are new to 2016.

 


Appetizers

Sweet and Spicy Candied Peanuts
Sweet and Spicy Candied Peanuts
 
 
 

Soups

 
Curried Butternut Squash and Apple Soup with Maple Cream
Curried Butternut Squash and Apple Soup with Maple Cream
 
 

Stock, Gravy and Sauces

Thanksgiving recipes: Cranberry Sauce with Cointreau
Cranberry Sauce with Cointreau
 
 
 

Sides

Bread Pudding with Sausage, Apples and Sage (AKA: the BEST stuffing!!!)
Puy Lentils with Spinach (GF,  Vegan Friendly)
Roasted Cipollini Onions with Thyme (GF,  Vegan Friendly)
 

Salads

Warm Kale and Caramelized Wild Mushroom Salad
Warm Kale and Caramelized Wild Mushroom Salad
 
Farro Salad with Roasted Grapes and Baby Kale (V)
 
 

Desserts

 
Apple Tarts with Rosemary-Lime Sugar
 
 
 
(All dessert selections are vegetarian but not vegan.)
 

Drinks

 
Spiced Pear Cocktail with Rosemary
Spiced Pear Cocktail with Rosemary

 

 
 

Next-Day Breakfast!

 
Corn, Scallion and Cheddar Strata
Corn, Scallion and Cheddar Strata
 
 
 
 

Leftovers!

 
Brussels Sprout Pizza with Balsamic Caramelized Onions and Goat Cheese
Brussels Sprout Pizza with Balsamic Caramelized Onions and Goat Cheese
 
 
 

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