Tag Archive: Thanksgiving

Nutella Cranberry Sauce

Written on November 18, 2013 by Wannabe Chef in Dessert, Holiday

Cranberry sauce has always had an awkward place at the Thanksgiving table. Whether it’s homemade or canned, smooth or chunky, organic or not, no one ever quite knows whether to have it with dinner or dessert.

This cranberry sauce is unabashedly for your dessert menu. It’s tart, sweet, spicy, nutty, and a little citrusy—all the Thanksgiving flavors put into one. It might not sit well next to turkey and stuffing but serve it over some vanilla ice cream or chocolate pecan pie and everyone will love it.

Nutella Cranberry Sauce

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 10 minutes

Ingredients(Makes 2 cups):

1 12oz bag fresh cranberries
2 cups orange juice
1 cinnamon stick(optional)
1/2 cup + 2 Tablespoons Nutella
1/4-1/2 cup sugar

Method:

Combine the cranberries, orange juice, and cinnamon stick if using in a sauce pan. Add water just until the top cranberries begin to float.
Boil the cranberries covered for 10 minutes until they’ve popped. Drain most of the liquid from the pot leaving about 1/4 cup with the cranberries.
Pour the cranberries and remaining liquid into a food processor.
Add in the Nutella and 1/4 cup of sugar and begin blending.
Taste the sauce. Add more sugar for a sweeter Nutella flavor or keep as is for a more tart flavor.
Serve hot or cold with ice cream, pies, cobblers, and tortes.

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8 Healthier Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Written on November 14, 2013 by Wannabe Chef in Recipe Round-Up

It’s already November and Thanksgiving is quickly creeping up. Not quite as quickly as I thought evidently with my bus tickets booked for the wrong weekend, but quickly nevertheless.

I’m not someone who thinks eating healthy during the holidays has to be tough, especially if you’re the chef. It’s all about finding and making recipes that are satisfyingly delicious but also good for you and your family. Here are a few recipes to try that break out of the mold of white bread and buttery foods that will still fit in at the Thanksgiving table.

And I’ll apologize in advanced for some of the terrible photos these recipes have, especially the ones from 2 years ago. They’re in desperate need of a holiday makeover.

Instead Of Buttery Vegetables Try…

Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts are a perfect sweet side dish with a lot of nutrients and fiber included.

Balsamic Brussels Sprouts with Red Wine have a tangier taste that adults will love. They’re especially good paired with the wine they’re cooked with.

Instead Of Traditional Stuffing Try…

Quinoa Stuffing(gluten-free/vegan) tastes just like traditional stuffing with all of the fixins but without the bread and empty carbs. It’s a great healthier option on the Thanksgiving table but even better heated up the next week for leftovers.

Roasted Broccoli Quinoa would be the health-nuts version of stuffing. It’s full of good carbs and a nutty flavor to satisfy.

Instead Of Mashed Potatoes Try…

Low-Fat Butternut Squash Casserole uses squash instead of potatoes but still has a creamy mouth-feel and savory taste to it.

Low-Fat Garlic & Herb Mashed Potatoes are a great substitution for regular mashed potatoes. The garlic and herbs add enough flavor that you’ll never know they’re made with Stonyfield yogurt.

Try Making Yourself…

Cranberry Sauce is a favorite of mine whether it’s homemade and intricately flavored or just from a can. This recipe’s for any cranberry connoisseur out there.

Vegetarian Buffalo “Chicken” Dip is something I recommend for any get together, holiday or not. It will always get eaten up.

Got a favorite holiday recipe with a healthy twist? Share it in the comments below to help inspire other readers.

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Just Photos: Thanksgiving 2012

Written on November 23, 2012 by Wannabe Chef in Just Photos

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Thanksgiving Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Written on December 5, 2011 by Wannabe Chef in Side Dish

Let’s look past the fact that Thanksgiving was now 2 weeks ago. You might want to make cranberry sauce for Christmas, or just for anytime, right? Maybe? Sure.

I wanted to make a sauce with a twist. Since my whole family is from northern New Hampshire, I tried adding some blueberries into the cranberry sauce. And a little ginger because who doesn’t like ginger? Orange juice replaces some of the sugar with a less refined sweetness to round out the flavor of the sauce.

And since I figure somebody’s going to wonder or ask: No, that’s not my plate. Yes, I am still a vegetarian. But I did carve the turkey for the second year in a row because I’m damn good at it.

Thanksgiving Cranberry Sauce

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 30 minutes

Ingredients(Makes around 6 cups):

24oz fresh cranberries
1 cup blueberries
2 cups orange juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2-inch fresh ginger peeled and grated
6 Tablespoons cane sugar

Method:

Combine the cranberries, blueberries, and orange juice together in a large pot.
Cover the pot and bring the contents to a boil. Keep boiling until the juice evaporates.
Once finished, pour the cranberries and blueberries into a food processor. Add in the salt, ginger, and cane sugar and puree until smooth.
Move the sauce to a container and leave it out to cool. Once at room temperature, place the sauce in the refrigerator to until eating.

Next time I make this I want to swap another cup of cranberries for blueberries to make the flavor more prevalent. Nobody noticed there was blueberries in the sauce; I didn’t even notice and I made it.

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Thanksgiving 2011

Written on November 25, 2011 by Wannabe Chef in Holiday

Expect a lot of recipes to come next week. Until then I’ll be digesting pie and Christmas shopping for myself online. I suggest you do the same.

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Thanksgiving Countdown

Written on November 26, 2010 by Wannabe Chef in Holiday

10 family members at the table

9 total hours spent in the kitchen

8 recipes made

7 episodes of Little People, Big World watched since being home on break

6 too many desserts eaten

5 sticks of Earth Balance used

4 instances of grandparents saying the darndest things at the table(read: mildly inappropriate, wine-assisted, and completely hysterical)

3 onions stuck up this turkey’s kooch

2 days of cooking

1 finger cut chopping vegetables

and 0 holiday meltdowns.

Can’t wait to do it again at Christmas!

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Thanksgiving Recipe Round-Up

Written on November 21, 2010 by Wannabe Chef in Holiday, Recipe Round-Up

Recipe: Vegan Pumpkin Ice Cream

Thanksgiving is 4 days away. Can you believe it? Hopefully, you have your menu planned if you’re hosting relatives, but if not here’s a collection of the most festive recipes from myself and other bloggers. Most of these are relatively simple and/or things you can make ahead of time so you aren’t stressed out on the big day. After all, isn’t it all about family? So if you need any Thanksgiving ideas, look no further and I hope you’ll find what you’re looking for.

General

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How To Dice An Onion–Because no one gets through making Thanksgiving dinner without chopping a few onions.

How To Roast A Pumpkin–If you want to go all out, try making pumpkin dishes with your own pumpkin puree. Just be sure to adjust the recipe to taste since fresh pumpkin tastes different than canned.

Entrees

Maple Baked Tofu–Make this as an easy protein for the vegetarian in your life.

Autumn Stuffed Acorn Squash–If your looking to serve an alternative to turkey this year, try this recipe using ground lamb for an earthy dish.

Sweet & Tangy Autumn Chicken Salad–Got leftover turkey? Looking for something savory as a midnight snack? Substitute turkey for chicken in this seasonal salad.

Side Dishes

Pumpkin Pie Spiced Mashed Potatoes–If you’re sick of regular mashed potatoes, add pumpkin for a seasonal flare.

Mashed Potatoes(Dairy-Free)–Lots of people have dairy allergies these days. Make these potatoes using coconut milk and no one will taste the difference!

Pumpkin Soup With Sautéed Curried Apples–A perfect starter to a dinner. Best of all, this is simple make. You can even put this together beforehand and reheat at meal time.

Savory Pumpkin Quinoa Stuffing–Who doesn’t love stuffing? This has all the same great flavor without gluten or refined-grains. This is one hearty and comforting dish.

Dessert

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Gluten-Free Gingerbread With White Chocolate Ganache–Whether you eat gluten-free or not, you’ll find this bread the perfect texture and moistness. It’s even low-fat, too.

Vegan Pumpkin Ice Cream–Impress your guests by making your own ice cream!(Note: ice cream maker required)

Apple Crisp–Another seasonal food that we’d be lost without. This is also really easy to make and gluten-free, too!

Moist Pumpkin Bread–Bake this the night before and have it for Thanksgiving breakfast to get a healthy start on the day and in the mood for delicious food.

From Around The Web…

Holly’s Pumpkin Molasses Cookies–I swore by this cookie recipe last year. It’s just the right amount of spice and nice and suits tastes of all ages.

Maria’s Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Agave and Rosemary–Stop. You had me at sweet potatoes. These are a fun, herby way to enjoy your vegetables.

Caroline’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake–Because who can resist peanut butter and chocolate? It’s even better when it’s a cake.

Emily’s Kale And Roasted Vegetable Soup–I’ve never tried this soup, but I love how satisfying and hearty it looks. I bet it heats up great for leftovers, too!

Anna’s Autumn Wheatberry Pilaf–This is a new and interesting side dish for your Thanksgiving table, full of whole grains and flavor.

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