Recipes for the Ultimate Thanksgiving

Published: Fri, 11/19/21

The Cooking Mom
November 19, 2021
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Hi Cooking Moms, Dads & Friends,

I hope you all had a great week. I can’t believe Thanksgiving is less than a week away! I can hardly wait. I’m still not sure how many people will be at our table this year. I think we’ll have a good size group. Whatever the number, my plan is to make this Thanksgiving simple but delicious!

I’ve got some really fun and yummy recipes that won't have you stressed out or stuck in the kitchen all day. This morning I’m waking up in the Windy City. I’ll be on WGN-TV’s new show Daytime Chicago making super easy breezy last minute dishes for the Ultimate Thanksgiving Dinner!

My Turkey Appetizer Platter is a great way to get the pre-Thanksgiving munching started. Isn't it cute? The homemade Cheddar, Bacon and Beer Cheese Ball makes it extra special. I know it looks hard to do, but I promise it’s not! It serves as a centerpiece for your appetizer buffet too. Take a picture quick though because it will disappear before you know it. LOL!

Speaking of appetizers, I like to put out a bunch of snacks earlier in the day before dinner. We like to watch football, play board games, and just hang out together before the big meal. My Hot Artichoke Dip is always a hit! Just 4 ingredients, plus you can make it ahead and bake it when you are ready. LOVE THAT!

My Cranberry Brie Bites are also a winner! Talk about easy. Just 3 ingredients! They are a great way to use leftover cranberry sauce too. Click Appetizers for more tempting recipes.

Thanksgiving dinner is over before you know it. That’s why I try to make it last as long as possible. I like to start out Thanksgiving dinner with a nice, beautiful salad. My Apple Cranberry Salad is so pretty. Super yummy and fresh too! The homemade dressing makes it really special.

Pick up some fresh cranberries and and make my Cranberry Fluff Salad. You can make it ahead. It's heavenly! Click Salads for more of my favorite holiday salad recipes.

For dinner, besides the turkey I may do ham too. I LOVE HAM! Make it extra special with my Brown Sugar and Mustard Ham Glaze. It’s AMAZING!

On the side, the kids will love my Mac ’n Cheese Minis or Southern Style Mac and Cheese. Both are crazy easy, creamy and cheesy.

If you want change up the green beans this year, why nor go fresh with my Green Beans with Red Peppers and Almonds. They are my FAVORITE!

This year why not free up oven space and make my Slow Cooker Stuffing? It’s the best!

You can make your mashers in there too. Here’s my recipe for Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes. Click Sides, Dinner and Slow Cooker for more delicious recipes.

Finally, for dessert, instead of pumpkin pie, why not make my Pumpkin Mousse? That way you don't have to fuss with a pie crust. Plus, everybody gets their own dessert. So special!

Or watch the kiddos light up when you put out my Turkey Cupcakes. They'll gobble, gobble these right up. In fact, why not get the kids in the kitchen to help decorate them? What fun! Click Desserts for more of my favorite treats for the holidays.

Why Not Gift Yourself a Trip this Holiday Season? Join The Cooking Mom in Ireland in April 2022!

Besides cooking I love to travel. I’m so excited to be hosting amazing vacations! To find out why my trips are so special check out my blog post Culinary Vacations with The Cooking Mom. Let’s meet new friends and travel together on these trips of a lifetime!

I’ve always dreamed of going to Ireland. Let’s experience it together. This trip is almost booked up! We just have a few rooms left. From Irish cooking classes, to scone baking, Irish cheese, and Jameson whiskey tasting, we’ll do it all. We’ll even stay in two real castles! I can only take a small group so get your reservation in soon! Click Join The Cooking Mom in Ireland to read more about this trip and find out how to reserve your spot!

Mackinac Island for Lilac Fest in June 2022!

Back in June, I hosted a trip to one of my favorite places, beautiful Mackinac Island, Michigan. It was amazing! I LOVE this island. Have you ever been? If not you need to go! There’s no place like it! Join me next summer because I’m going back. We are staying at my favorite resort on the island. It’s fabulous! We’ve even added an extra night so there will be more time on this trip to sightsee, shop or just relax! This trip is already filling up. We can only take a limited number of people. Click Join The Cooking Mom on Mackinac Island to get all the details. We’ll be there next June during lilac season. It’s absolutely gorgeous that time of year! I hope you’ll join me. This trip will fill up quick so call Brittany at Bon Voyage Boutique Travel 920-725-2880 or email her at [email protected] to book your spot!

Join Amy on a River Cruise in France in April 2023!

Bring on lots of wine tasting, gourmet meals, fresh croissants and pastries and so much more! Join me on a river cruise through Southern France from Burgundy to Provence. It’s the ULTIMATE way to see France! In April of 2023, we’ll cruise the Rhone river on a gorgeous new boutique ship with only 150 passengers. It’s first class all the way and it’s a true ALL-INCLUSIVE river cruise, meaning all your food, drinks, and excursions are included. Gratuity too!

Plus, you’ll have the option to stay a couple days after the cruise to experience Paris. It will be spring and the blossoms will be in full bloom. It’s going to be stunning! Click Join The Cooking Mom on a French River Cruise to get all the dates, pricing and tantalizing details. This trip is going to be truly over the top and so wonderful! Join me! Plus, there are special discounts if you book now!

I'm starting to plan now for more culinary vacations in 2023! I want to know where you want to go. Email me the trips you’d be interested in at [email protected]!

Order Amy's Cookbooks for the Holidays!

If you like my recipes, I think you will love my cookbooks. Order one for yourself and they make welcome gifts too! Both of my cookbooks are full color, and each is filled with nearly 200 unique recipes. They're available on Amazon. Click Amy's Books on Amazon to order.

Please Invite Me!

Now that life is getting more back to normal, I’m excited to start doing live cooking demos again! I'd love to come to your town and meet you! Tell your library about me. I’ll come do a cooking demo for your company or event too. Click Hire Amy for more ideas for how we can spend time together!

Gotta run. My TV spot on WGN-TV in Chicago is coming up at 10am!

I’ll be sending out my newsletter early next week. Look for it on Wednesday morning with lots of last minute Thanksgiving recipes and loads of ways to use those leftovers too!

You can always see what I'm up to on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Check out my videos on YouTube, too.

I hope you have a great weekend. Cook up some memories!

Take care,
Amy, The Cooking Mom

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