It’s almost Thanksgiving!
Get your ovens (or deep fryer- but please be careful!) warmed up before Thursday. It’s one of the most wonderful times of the year. Families come together and sit around a table full of delicious food to reflect on what they’re thankful for. And what brings people together better than food?
Delicious dishes have the ability to bring back memories, to take you back in time to some of your favorite moments. In an effort to get in the spirit of Thanksgiving, our team put together a few of their favorite family recipes that they make with their families.
Read on for the recipes and ideas, and let us know if you try them!
Blueberry Pomegranate Mule
Starting off with one of the most important food groups on Thanksgiving- booze! Hear from our CEO, Randy Nelson, on his favorite cocktail recipe below:
What are some ingredients & tips on making this meal?
The ingredients are: 2oz Vodka, 1oz blueberry liqueur, 1oz pomegranate juice, 1oz lime juice, and 2oz ginger beer.
Combine all ingredients, except ginger beer, in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake until chilled. Strain into a Collins glass over ice. Top with ginger beer. Garnish with a mint sprig
What does this dish mean to you?
This is a great holiday drink to share with family and friends.
– Randy Nelson, VFS Fire & Security Services President
Pasta Siciliano
While this may seem un-traditional for Thanksgiving, who doesn’t like to spice it up a bit. Italy here we come!
What are some ingredients & tips on making this meal?
Ingredients
1 (16 ounce) package uncooked farfalle pasta
¼ cup olive oil
3 cloves chopped garlic
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons lemon juice
½ cup pine nuts
1 (2.25 ounce) can sliced kalamata olives
½ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Step 1:
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Place farfalle pasta in the pot, cook for 8 to 10 minutes, and then drain the pasta.
Step 2:
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat, and cook the garlic until lightly browned. Mix in red pepper and lemon juice. Stir in the pine nuts, olives, and sun-dried tomatoes. Toss in the cooked pasta and feta cheese. Season with salt and pepper
What does this dish mean to you?
It’s a simple meal anyone can make, and who doesn’t love pasta?
Bacon Loaded Mashed Potatoes
This one is bound to get your mouth watering!
What are some ingredients & tips on making this meal?
You need potatoes, bacon, mascarpone or cream cheese, and fresh parmesan. You can prepare the night before and bake before dinner.
What does this dish mean to you?
Since I made this the first time for my family, they ask for it every year so I’m happy to oblige and make them happy!
Candied Yams
Something a little sweet to balance out all the savory flavors on your plate.
What are some ingredients & tips on making this meal?
The main ingredients are brown sugar and maple syrup. And yams of course. Yum!
What does this dish mean to you?
Sweet goodness!
Vanilla Bean Sage Blackberry Galette
Delicious freshly baked vegan almond berry galette on wooden rustic background, from above. Sweet food, summer dessert.
Sprinkle a little love and happiness into your holiday dish!
What are some ingredients & tips on making this meal?
Ingredients include: Love, happiness, vanilla beans, blackberries, and sage.
What does this dish mean to you?
The dish reminds me of amazing memories from a long time ago.
– Elizabeth Ziebell, Director of HR
Honey Ham, Turkey, and Stuffing
A special take on the traditional dishes. Butter makes everything better, right?
What are some ingredients & tips on making this meal?
It needs to be cooked with plenty of spices and butter.
What does this dish mean to you?
A time of giving and fellowship.
Broccoli and Rice Casserole
While broccoli isn’t always the first on people’s favorite food list, we’re excited to try this delicious take on it.
What are some ingredients & tips on making this meal?
Ingredients:
1 Cup Margarine or butter
1 Cup Chopped Onion
1 Cup Chopped Celery
2 Cans Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 Large Jar of Cheese Whiz
2- 10 or 12 ounces of frozen chopped broccoli (thawed)
1 Cup Minute Rice
Bread Crumbs
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In a large pan saute’ onion and celery in margarine or butter. Add soups, cheese whiz, thawed broccoli and rice. Stir all the ingredients together.
Pour in a 9 x 13 baking dish and top with bread crumbs. You can make your bread crumbs from day old bread or buy bread crumbs.
Bake for 45 minutes.
What does this dish mean to you?
My family always requests I bring this dish to the Thanksgiving meal.
– Brenda Harrelson
Spinach Salad
It’s always good to have some greens added into the mix, but of course, add some bacon to make it better.
What are some ingredients & tips on making this meal?
Ingredients:
1 pack of bacon (center cut)
Mustard
Salt & pepper
Splash of apple cider vinegar
Spinach
1 or 2 Shallot cut up
Directions:
Cut bacon into pieces and fry. Remove bacon from grease and place on paper towel. Add the cut-up shallots to the bacon grease for maybe 1 minute (don’t brown it). Add splash of apple cider vinegar, about 3 tablespoons of mustard, salt and pepper to the grease. This is your dressing for the salad.
Place spinach in a bowl with stems removed and pour grease (dressing lol) over it and toss the salad. This should be done right before you sit down to eat otherwise the spinach will wilt if it sits for too long.
What does this dish mean to you?
My aunt always made it for Thanksgiving and I enjoy it now.
– Michelle Day
Turkey Pizza
Who doesn’t like pizza on Thanksgiving?! It has turkey on it, right?
What are some ingredients & tips on making this meal?
It’s like pepperoni pizza, but with turkey instead.
What does this dish mean to you?
It means I’m having pizza on Thanksgiving!
Turkey
As we said above, butter makes everything better- don’t limit yourself during the holidays!
What are some ingredients & tips on making this meal?
Use a LOT of butter!
What does this dish mean to you?
It reminds me of family.
As you head into the holiday season, we hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving and are reminded of all of the areas in your life of which you are grateful. We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with yummy food and even better company (and don’t light anything on fire while you’re at it!)
Let us know what your favorite dishes are to try during the holiday season. Connect with us on our social media pages!
