4 Unique Thanksgiving Recipes to Try

Perhaps one of the best parts of living in a master-planned community like Magnolia Green is how it has the power to bring so many people together from such diverse walks of life. When that happens, it’s important for each of us to find out what we have in common. By sharing something with those around us—regardless of how insignificant it may seem—we’re able to make connections in ways we never realized we could. One of those ways is through food. And what better time to share a bit of food and culture than at Thanksgiving.

 

For most people, the thought of Thanksgiving typically conjures images of a perfectly roasted turkey, creamy mashed potatoes and gravy, hot rolls, pumpkin pie and many other classic dishes. But every now and then, we come across a different spin on one of those traditional recipes, and we can’t help but want to try it. So, in the spirit of sharing, here are several unique, community-inspired recipe ideas to add to, or even complete, your Thanksgiving Day menu.

 

Unique Thanksgiving Recipe #1: Chorizo-Stuffed Turkey

It all starts with the main dish. This Mexican inspired take on the turkey is packed with flavor and just the right amount of kick to please the crowd. If chorizo isn’t your thing, try swapping a mild or hot Italian sausage in its place.

 

 

Ingredients for the Turkey:

• 12-20 lbs turkey
• Salt and freshly cracked pepper
• 1 ½ medium yellow onions, peeled and quartered (reserve one half for the cheese cloth)
• 6 cloves garlic
• 1 ½ lemons, quartered (reserve one half for the cheese cloth)
• ½ fennel bulb, quartered
• 10 sprigs of oregano
• ½ bunch of parsley
• 1-pound chorizo sausage (replace with Italian sausage, if desired)

 

Ingredients for the Cheese Cloth:

• ¼ cup of chicken stock
• 1 stick of butter
• 6-8 cloves garlic
• ½ medium yellow onion, quartered
• ½ fennel bulb, quartered
• ½ lemon, quartered
• 5 sprigs of oregano
• Cheese cloth

 

Directions:

1. Remove neck and giblets from completely thawed turkey and rinse inside and out. Pat dry with a paper towel.
2. Place turkey in roasting pan.
3. Carefully separate turkey skin from muscle and evenly pipe/stuff chorizo underneath skin layer. Be sure to adequately cover breast, and thigh/leg areas where meat is thickest.
4. Stuff the cavity with quartered onions, lemons, fennel bulb, garlic, oregano and parsley.
5. Tie legs together and tuck the wings under its back to prevent spreading.
6. Salt and pepper turkey. Set aside.
7. In a pot or saucer, prepare cheese cloth by bringing all ingredients to a simmer.
8. Once mixture has reached a simmer, remove from heat. Submerge cheesecloth and let soak for a minute.
9. Carefully remover cheesecloth and drape over turkey. Pour remaining mixture over turkey.
10. Place turkey in oven, preheated to 350°F and cook until meat thermometer (inserted between breast and leg) reads 165° Generally, a turkey needs to cook for about 13-15 minutes per pound. Check the temperature regularly to make sure you’re not over or under cooking.
11. Once cooked, remove from oven. Tent with foil to keep warm and let rest for 15-30 min. Remove cheese cloth before carving. Discard drippings or use for gravy.

 

Unique Thanksgiving Recipe #2: Fried Mashed Potato Balls

For those looking to mix things up with the mashed potatoes (pun intended), this fun Thanksgiving recipe will certainly offer your table spread something slightly unexpected. If you decide not to try it for your big dinner, no worries. It also works extremely well as a way to reuse any leftovers you might have.

 

 

Ingredients:

• 3 cups mashed potatoes
• 3 slices. Bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 2/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 Tbs thinly sliced chives
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• Salt
• Ground pepper
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
• Vegetable oil, for frying

 

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, combine mashed potatoes with cooked bacon, cheddar, chives and garlic powder. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir until all ingredients are incorporated.
2. Place eggs and panko in separate shallow bowls. Form 1-2” balls of mashed potato mixture, then dredge in egg followed by panko. Repeat until all potato mixture is used.
3. Heat 3” of oil in a large cast iron skillet to 375° Fry potato balls in batches for 2 to 3 minutes, or until golden on all sides. Drain on a paper-towel-lined plate and immediately season with a pinch of salt.

 

Unique Thanksgiving Recipe #3: Brussels Sprouts Mac and Cheese

Every Thanksgiving is sure to include a vegetable or two, so why not serve them in a way that will convince even the pickiest person at the table to eat their greens? The only drawback to this recipe is that it tends to take attention away from the other dishes.

 

 

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces pasta (such as cavatappi, gemelli, rotini)
• 4 slices bacon, cut into strips or cubes
• 1-pound brussels sprouts
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ small lemon (3/4 tsp zested, 2 tbs lemon juice)
• 3 tbs flour
• 1 ¾ cup low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
• 7 ounces plain Greek yogurt
• 2/3 cup grated sharp cheddar, divided
• 2/3 cup grated mozzarella, divided
• ¼ cup plus 2 tbs finely grated Parmesan cheese

 

Directions:

1. Bring large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until 2 minutes short of al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400° Lightly coat a 9-inch round baking dish with nonstick spray. In a large deep skillet or Dutch oven, cook bacon over low heat (10 to 15 min) until crisp and fat is rendered. Stir periodically. With a slotted spoon, remove bacon and transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate. Set aside. Drain all but 2 tbs fat from the skillet. Increase heat to medium high.
3. While bacon cooks, trim off the ends of the brussels sprouts and cut them into very thin slices or shaved. Add them to the pot with the bacon fat and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often, for 2 to 3 min until bright green in color but barely wilted. Add garlic and lemon zest and cook 1 minute. Sprinkle flour over top and stir until blended, about another minute.
4. Splash in the broth, about ¼ cup at a time, stirring constantly to blend between additions and prevent lumps from forming. Let simmer, 2 to 3 minutes, until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice and cooked pasta until evenly coated. Stir in yogurt, 1/3 cup of cheddar cheese, 1/3 cup mozzarella cheese, and ¼ cup Parmesan cheese.
5. Scrape pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle with remaining 1/3 cup cheddar and 1/3 cup mozzarella, then the cooked bacon, then the remaining 2 tbs Parmesan. Bake until bubbly around the edges and browned in spots on top (25 to 30 min. Serve hot.

 

Unique Thanksgiving Recipe #4: Apple Pie Salsa and Cinnamon Sugar Tortilla Chips

We’re certainly not suggesting this delectable dish replace a pie by any stretch. But, if you’re looking for another way to get that apple-cinnamon-sugar goodness into you, this is a Thanksgiving recipe that will definitely have everyone eating right out of the bowl.

 

 

Ingredients for the salsa:

• 4 medium Granny Smith apples, diced
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbs butter
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• 1 tbs cornstarch
• 2 tsp vanilla
• ½ cup whipped cream (optional)

 

1. In a large sauté pan, combine apples, lemon juice, brown sugar, butter, cinnamon and nutmeg. Cook over medium heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in corn starch. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.
2. Stir in vanilla. Serve warm. Top with whipped cream just before serving.

 

Ingredients for the Cinnamon Sugar Tortilla Chips:

• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 tbs cinnamon
• 5 flour tortillas
• 2 tbs melted butter

 

1. Preheat over to 350°
2. In a small bowl, combine cinnamon and sugar
3. Brush both sides of each tortilla with melted butter. Rub cinnamon-sugar blend onto both sides of each tortilla. Cut tortillas into wedges. Place on ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, until brown and crisp. Cool on wire rack.

 

From all of us at Magnolia Green, we hope you have a great Thanksgiving full of comfort, love and, of course, plenty of delicious food. And don’t forget to share your reviews—or your own unique recipes, if you have any.

 

For more information on everything Magnolia Green has to offer, feel free to visit Magnolia Green online for more information or call us at 804-256-7327.