I love sharing Thanksgiving recipes, and for the past few years I have been sharing complete Thanksgiving menus. In the past I focused on sharing classic Thanksgiving recipes like the ones my family makes for our holiday meal. This year, I was inspired to do something totally different.
I was in Serbia when I came up with the idea of sharing a Global Thanksgiving Menu featuring recipes inspired by my travels. I loved the way this menu came together. Who knew that Moroccan Spice Turkey, Indiana Sugar Cream Pie, Serbian Baked Beans, and Irish Mashed Potatoes could create such a beautiful and delicious meal?
I have been sharing the series of Thanksgiving recipes over the past few weeks, but today I am bringing everything together in one place.
Appetizers:
Figs with Blue Cheese and a Balsamic Reduction - This is a simple three ingredient recipe that brings together sophisticated flavors.
Chorizo and Pimento Cheese Stuffed Sweet Peppers - Spanish chorizo and pimento cheese are a wonderful combination, and these stuffed peppers are incredibly easy to prepare and they can be prepped a day in advance and then baked just before guests arrive.
Bacon Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Goat Cheese and Almonds - This appetizer is a favorite at a tapas restaurant in Chicago, and it will likely be the first appetizer to disappear.
Main Dish:
Moroccan Spice Turkey with Gravy - This turkey is coated in a blend of Moroccan spices and coated in a citrus basting liquid.
Side Dishes:
Spicy Ginger Honey Carrots - These carrots have a kick of spice thanks to the combination of fresh ginger and paprika.
Irish Mashed Potatoes (Colcannon) - This recipe is a modern twist on a classic Irish recipe. Creamy fluffy mashed potatoes are topped with lightly caramelized onions and sautéed kale. I recommend preparing the mashed potatoes a day ahead of time, and reheating them in the oven, and then adding the onions and kale just before serving.
Serbian Style Baked Beans - I feel in love with Serbian food when I went to Serbia in May. Every meal was a feast, and the baked beans, called prebranac, were my personal favorite.
Fig and Cranberry Chutney - This recipe was inspired by my desire to round out my Thanksgiving menu with something with cranberries and not by a trip, but I loved how it turned out.
Comeback Sauce Corn - This easy 20 minute recipe for corn in a Mississippi comeback sauce is so good that my friends ate every bite. Even though Comeback Sauce is from Mississippi, the recipe was inspired by my trip to Madison to judge the Grilled Cheese Showdown where a sandwich with comeback sauce and corn took home the $15,000 grand prize.
Chorizo Sage Stuffing - Chorizo and fried sage bring this stuffing to life! This recipe starts with a stuffing mix, which is a huge time saver. Then you add cooked chorizo, apples, onions, and mushrooms, and garnish with fried sage for a stuffing that is extra special, but easy to prepare.
Desserts:
Marsala Wine Poached Pears - These poached pears are a lighter fresher alternative to pie.
Indiana Sugar Cream Pie - Inspired by my trip to Indianapolis this summer, this vanilla custard pie is Indiana's state pie! It's is irresistibly delicious and super easy to make!
More Recipes
If you want to see a comprehensive list of classic Thanksgiving recipes, check out this blog post.
