4 Thanksgiving Day Foods You Can’t Afford To Skip

When you’re planning your Thanksgiving Day meal, you are probably thinking of the same 4 things that everyone thinks of: turkey with gravy, potatoes, stuffing, and pumpkin pie. This alone can satisfy most households handily, but unfortunately we have to get a little more creative when it comes to planning a holiday meal. Here are 4 items to put next to your noble bird this Thanksgiving that are sure to please your family and friends.

Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta.

People tend to run out of the room when the cook utters the words “Brussels sprouts.” Plain roasted brussels sprouts can be a touch on the bitter side. However, when you combine these often-avoided vegetables with the wonder food we call bacon, something magical happens. Halved brussels sprouts combined with salty greasy bacon makes for an absolutely delicious appetizer. This is something your guests will not back away from.

Green Bean Casserole.

An infamous side dish brought by aunts throughout the expanse of time is green bean casserole; Usually a soupy, green-brown mess that has plenty of leftovers at the end of dinner. That being said, if it’s done properly (i.e. with care and flair) this side dish can be an empty plate in no time. Experiment with different beans, longer oven time, and maybe even tweaking the age-old recipe. If it’s broken, it may need some fixing. Also, it’s never a bad idea to add more cheese.

Cornbread Stuffing.

Stuffing can make or break a Thanksgiving meal. If it’s too dry, it mops up the gravy; too wet, it’s a mushy pile; Just right, and it adds a really nice depth to your turkey and potato plate. Changing up the recipe to a cornbread stuffing will give your party a southern flair this Thanksgiving and will surely set everyone’s pallets to stunned. With pecans, rosemary, thyme, and bacon, you won’t be able to keep people from eating it all. This will ultimately save you room in your fridge after the festivities.

Rhubarb Crisp.

Pumpkin pie is the ultimate staple of Thanksgiving. What else screams Thanksgiving other than a delicious slice of pumpkin goodness barely visible underneath homemade whipped cream? Rhubarb crumble is able to give pumpkin pie a run for its money. With brown sugar, fresh rhubarb and juneberries all jammed into one scrumptious bite, it’s difficult not to see why it’s a contender. Serve this next to a scoop of vanilla ice cream and it’s no contest.

When thinking about what to serve to your friends and family this upcoming holiday season, give these ideas a try. While they may be a little off the beaten path, your hungry guests will be willing participants in your culinary experiments. If all else fails, there’s always plenty of turkey with gravy, potatoes, stuffing, and pumpkin pie to go around. Look to the professionals of a Detroit catering service for more creative ideas, or for some help with the cooking if you have a large family.