It's snowing — like, really snowing — here in Vermont. I've kept my commitment to 10,000 steps per day, so I've been enthusiastically enjoying my...
Read MoreMy Favorite Thanksgiving Recipes
http://www.MelJoulwan.com/2013/11/15/fave-thanksgiving-recipes/
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Although Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, I don’t have a hard and fast menu for what I think makes the perfect celebration. I mean, there was the year we ate Elvis sandwiches, and the year we just got take-out from a local restaurant, and the year we marked the occasion by having my thyroid removed.
And even though I love to try new recipes, when I cook Thanksgiving at home, I almost always make my old favorites — dishes that I’ve been eating since I realized that I love Thanksgiving. They’re mostly recipes that I learned from my mom and have revised to be compliant with my new eating habits.
This year, we’re eating at home, and it’s just Dave, Smudge, and me. Our menu features roast duck instead of turkey, and the day’s activities include a viewing of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in our pajamas, followed by the National Dog Show, then a walk around the lake. (Fingers crossed that we get lucky with fall weather. I think I will cry if the temps are in the 80s.) We’re eating dinner mid-afternoon so we can catch a movie: The Book Thief! And after that, we’re heading back home for Thanksgiving Dinner, Part 2 (leftovers are always the best part!) and the Steelers vs. the Ravens. (Go, Ravens!)
Here are some of my favorite Thanksgiving recipes, pulled from my cookbooks and blog archives.
They’re all paleo-friendly, and I’ve indicated which ones are Whole30 approved. I hope they help make your holiday a little tastier! You might also want to re-visit my list of 10 Paleo Pumpkin Recipes.
Astute readers will notice that I didn’t cover turkey in this list. The sides are really my strong suit, so if you want ideas for roasting a gobbler, you might try these recipes for turkey and gravy from Nom Nom Paleo.
Nibbles
Pumpkin-Spiced Pepitas – omit sugar for Whole30
Spiced Olives – Whole30 compliant
Chopped Chicken Livers – Whole30 compliant
Spiced Nuts – omit sugar for Whole30
Savory Paleo Granola – Whole30 compliant
Pear and Bacon Bites – Whole30 compliant
Soups
Sweet Potato Soup with Bacon – Whole30 compliant
Golden Cauliflower Soup – Whole30 compliant
Sides
Cumin Roasted Carrots – Whole30 compliant
Balsamic-Grilled Butternut – Whole30 compliant
Coconut Almond Green Beans – Whole30 compliant
Mashed Cauliflower – Whole30 compliant
Mustard-Garlic Brussels Sprouts – Whole30 compliant
Kickin’ Cranberry Sauce
Cranberry Waldorf Salad
Velvety Butternut Squash – Whole30 compliant
Dessert
Grain-Free Pumpkin Gingerbread Cake with Maple-Vanilla Frosting
Sweet and Salty Fudge Bombs
Old-Fashioned (Grain-Free) Apple Cake
Spiced-Nut Vanilla Coconut Cream Ice Cream
Maple-Pumpkin Coconut Macaroons
Leftovers!
Turkey and Cranberry Meatballs – Whole30 compliant
Taj Mahal Turkey Curry – Whole30 compliant
Still hungry? Try these
November
25
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Holy crap STARVING NOW.
Thank you for posting these. I am starting my first Whole30 on Monday and need ideas for Thanksgiving.
Happy Whole30-ing! Thanksgiving is REALLY easy to Whole30. Have fun!
I revised this post to indicate which recipes are Whole30 approved. Enjoy!
These all look great! WF2 came a couple weeks ago but I went on vacation and now have company so I haven’t been able to dive into it yet – I am chomping at the bit! My question is, do you have a good “stuffing” recipe? Not super crazy about the Wheat Belly one… Can’t wait to try the soup, pear and bacon bites and gingerbread in particular. <3
Thanks, Mel! I’ve made something of yours every Tgiving for the last 3(?). Still undecided on this year’s recipe but I know whatever it is will be good. Hope you guys have a great holiday.
Hooray! That’s so much fun! Thanks for making us part of your celebrations. Happy happy to you!
Is there anyway do to the Blasamic-grilled Butternut on the oven/stove? Firing up the grill on top of everything else is a little more than I can tackle Thanksgiving Day.
Also, I love, love, love your cranberry waldorf salad! I’ve made it the past 2 (3?) years. I don’t dare make it any other time since I tend to eat the whole batch in one day.
Can I just tell you: I am SO EXCITED to make Cranberry Waldorf Salad for Thanksgiving. I only make it for TGiving,and I’m ready for that first tangy bite!
You can roast the butternut in the oven. It won’t get the grilled taste/texture, but it will still be awesome. I think it will work better in cubes in the oven. Roast at 400F for 25-30 minutes — follow the rest of the instructions above. Enjoy!
Thanks! I will give the cubes in the oven a try. And stick the cranberry salad in the very back of the fridge so I’m not so tempted before dinner.