2018 Thanksgiving Menu

OMG OMG OMG. 

In a real world we probably can't have all of these things for one meal. Or shouldn't, at the very least. ButIwanttosobadseriously. 

I made a list of my ideal Thanksgiving foods, then I made a shiny Pinterest board to have them all in one place. I am SUPER into looking at all of those items all together. Something feels very complete about the list, even though honestly I could have added about 15 more dishes to this list and THEY'RE ALL MY FAVORITES I SWEAR. 

Nursing and life in general makes me hungry. 

Here's what I'm thinking for next week: 

Appetizers

• Classic Deviled Eggs
• My favorite Parsley Feta Cheese Ball (I have voluntold my brother in law to make this, it's from him originally)
• Pimento Cheese
• Vegan Marinated Mushrooms

Drinks

• Bourbon Apple Cider Spritzer
• Holiday Mules

Turkey/Ham

• Roast Turkey Breast + Gravy
• Glazed Ham

Carby Sides

• 5-Ingredient Baked Smashed Potatoes
• Cornbread Oyster Dressing
• Baked Mushroom Rice
• Light Citrus Sweet Potatoes

Veggie Sides

• Pimento Cheese Squash Casserole
• Bruleed and Curried Carrots
• 5-minute Broiled Asparagus
• OR Easy Asparagus Casserole (one of the most popular recipes on this site!)
• Pan-Seared Parmesan Brussels
• Fresh Green Bean Casserole

Extras (because we clearly need extra things at Thanksgiving)

• Buttermilk Biscuits
• Cranberry Sauce
• Focaccia

Desserts

• Apple Pie
• Homemade Pie Crust (for any pie duh)
• Pumpkin Chiffon Pie
• Chocolate Chess Pie

And also...my favorite prep tips!

1. Make your menu + master ingredient list. 
2. On your menu, have MOSTLY things that can be made in advance, and two or three things that need lots of attention on the day of your big meal. 
3. Figure out what you already have at home and cross it off the list/set it out in a special place so you'll remember you have it. 
4. Shop as early as possible to avoid crowds and get the ingredients you want/need without having to go to five grocery stores. 
5. Prep baked goods 2-3 days in advance, and carby sides in the same timeline. They'll be fine in the fridge for a few days!
6. Make veggie casseroles the day before, and prep other veggies for sides that need to be made the day of your meal. 
7. Delegate help - people to bring things, people to watch your kids, people to cook with you. 
8. Make a day-of timeline to figure out what needs to go in the oven, when, so that the oven is always working for you and there isn't any down time of nothing happening in terms of food prep. 
9. Order SOMETHING out - dessert, the ham, whatever you don't feel like messing with. 
10. Extra drinks and desserts aren't usually a bad thing. 

It is the MOST wonderful time of the year. I'd love any ideas here or on Pinterest for some new dishes to try this year on our table!

xxoo