By Lauren Scott, Arizona Farm Bureau Intern
It’s no big secret that being the family’s Thanksgiving host for the year can get a little hectic. Between the family being in town and having the weight of an entire meal on your shoulders, your life will definitely be a bit busier than normal. There are often times when people’s Thanksgiving Day is ruined by the craziness that is preparing Thanksgiving dinner.
For a holiday that has its roots so deeply embedded in a foundation of being thankful, spending time with family, and giving back, I have never heard people complain more. I do understand where they are coming from, though. The preparation can be grueling but there are ways, of course, to cut down on the stress of being this year’s host or hostess while still providing your friends and family with an amazing atmosphere and meal. To do this we are going to need to take Thanksgiving back to the traditions of our grandparents with these tasty recipes guaranteed to thrill even the pickiest of dinner guests!
First up, we have some fabulous turkey recipes, as well as a twist if you are up for breaking tradition this year and trying a delicious prime rib recipe! You can’t go wrong with these three different ways to cook up your Thanksgiving dinner’s most important component, the main dish.
Citrus Marinated Grilled Turkey
Here are two ways to create the dish that holds Thanksgiving dinner together. With its tangy taste and ability to be paired with any side dishes, cranberry sauce is a must have for your dinner.
We all know that everyone’s favorite Thanksgiving side dish is homemade stuffing. You can’t beat the comfort-food-feel of this special dish that only comes around once a year. This recipe will give you that same home style taste of grandma’s famous stuffing, with a twist that will leave people thinking you’ve just graduated from culinary school.
Dru’s Special Holiday Stuffing
Another staple of many people’s Thanksgiving tables is yams or sweet potatoes; and although it seem like there aren’t many ways to prepare these yummy vegetables, here is one that will surely delight!
One last side dish to try this season is stuffed pumpkin. Not something typically served at Thanksgiving dinner, stuffed pumpkin will add an autumn feel to your table and add tastiness to your spread!
Thanksgiving dinner isn’t complete without the desserts, and pie has always been a go-to for all dinner hosts. Nothing is better than the smell of a freshly baked pie. Actually, I take that back. Eating that freshly baked pie is the only thing that can top the sweet smell they create. Here for you are two family favorite, tried and true recipes for the best kinds of pie to concoct for your meal!
Thanksgiving is a time of joy that should be spent with family and friends celebrating all that we are thankful for. It should NOT be a time of stress. So this Thanksgiving sit back, relax, and let these wonderful recipes do all the work for you!
And remember, Fill Your Plate has an endless number of recipes, including holiday ones! For Thanksgiving, we even have an entire category called “Recipes for Thanksgiving Dinner.”