Unconventional Thanksgiving Mains (plus dessert!)
mushroom wellington; pumpkin flan; olive oil panna cotta; and more!
Hi friends,
I have a confession: Despite planning and executing Thanksgiving menus for the last nineteen (!!) years, I’ve never roasted a turkey.
Crazy, right?
There are a couple of reasons for this. For one, my family’s Thanksgiving gatherings have traditionally been small—just the four of us at home. A whole turkey always felt like overkill.
Then there’s the truth that… we’re not huge turkey fans. Even as our guest list started to grow over the years, we stuck with what we loved: baking two chickens instead of one smaller turkey.
So, instead of sharing turkey recipes I’ve never personally cooked, I thought I’d share the dishes I have made (and loved). They’re unconventional, but trust me, they’re delicious!
If you’re craving something a little different this Thanksgiving, read on for my favorite main dishes and desserts.
P.S. Struggling with planning? Need some advice on how to best prep a dish? Leave a comment below or hit ‘reply’ to this e-mail, and I’ll share my advice in my upcoming newsletter!
Mains
Samin Nosrat’s Buttermilk-Brined Roast Chicken: Brining chicken in buttermilk results in a sumptuously tender, juicy chicken with beautifully browned skin (NYTCooking).
Leith Devine’s Pucker Up Sumac Roasted Chicken: When you want something bright and herby (Food52)!
Alexa Weibel’s Mushroom Wellington: This vegetarian (and vegan-friendly) recipe had been recommended to me by several friends, and we finally tried it last year. It’s a masterful feat, featuring a savory mushroom filling, caramelized onions, and grilled mushrooms wrapped in puff pastry, then baked and served with a tangy port wine reduction. It’s absolutely delicious, but let me warn you: it’s a project! You can make the elements beforehand, but you will need several hours to prep (NYTCooking).
Desserts
Martha Stewart’s Pumpkin Flan: I made this flan for the first time, many years ago, and my cousins still ask about it to this day. I know some other reviewers have had trouble caramelizing the sugar in the oven, so if you’re nervous, you can just do it on the stovetop instead (Martha Stewart).
My Basque-Style Pumpkin Cheesecake: Basque cheesecake meets fall flavors in this seasonal variation (Simply Recipes).
Sohla El-Waylly’s Cardamom and Pistachio Carrot Cake: This moist spiced cake is adorned with a caramel-carrot glaze that my friends couldn't get enough of (Bon Appetit).
Chocolate Cream Pie: The first time I made this, I went back for seconds, and then thirds. It’s exactly what you’d want in a chocolate pie with a luscious, creamy filling and loads of whipped cream. And if you’re looking for something even crazier, go for this Mississippi Mud Pie from the New York Times (Simply Recipes).
Via Carota’s Olive Oil Panna Cotta: For something a little different, might I recommend this silky smooth panna cotta? It’s creamy and luxurious, yet light on the tongue (New York Times).
For even more ideas, check out my full list of Thanksgiving recipes, and stay tuned for my upcoming newsletter where I’ll share my answers to all of your FAQs!
Have a wonderful rest of your weekend!
-Karishma