I did a couple experimental dishes for Thanksgiving (had to transport them 2 hours away to my BIL’s place since they were hosting). Hubby doesn’t recommend “trying out” recipes on people, he feels it’s better to try it out on ourselves before making it for others. But I’m brazen enough (and lazy enough) to just try it out for Thanksgiving for all the inlaws. Here are a couple winners I’m proud to present (definately keeping these recipes for the future!):

Sausage, Cranberry, and Apple Stuffing

I sauteed sausage on a pan, saved the drippings, and put it all in a big bowl. In the same pan, I melted some butter, and sauteed some cut-up leeks, apples, celery, with a sprinkle of poultry seasoning. Meanwhile, I plumped up some dried cranberries in hot water, and after draining the water, added the cranberries to the pan along with some fresh sage and rosemary. Then I added everything from the pan into the big bowl (with the sausage). I mixed in croutons and parsley, then slowly added chicken broth a little at a time until the whole thing was moist (but not soggy/mushy). Seasoned with a little salt and pepper, baked in 375 degrees until the top was crispy and the center piping hot. YUM!

Roasted Vegetables

The simplest, healthiest, and yummiest way to have vegetables. If I wasn’t cooking long-distance, grilled asparagus would have been even more simplier, but I couldn’t do that the day before and still have it fresh enough to eat for Thanksgiving. So I did winter root vegetables instead: a butternut squash (which was a stinker to peel), a couple bell peppers, a sweet potato, a couple Yukon Gold potatoes, and a red onion, cubed/cut-up. Mix 3/4 cup olive oil with 1-2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar, add your spices (I used fresh rosemary and thyme, chopped finely). Then toss the vegetables with the olive oil mixture, spread evenly on a pan, roast for approx. 40 min (or until vegetables are cooked through and browned)Â in a 475 degree oven. I had to slap hubby’s hand away, as he was hovering and stealing bites here and there.

Lastly, a pretty centerpiece my SIL made:

Fresh cranberries floating in a vase of flowers. Pretty!