Friendsgiving Cooking Recipe Ideas

Friendsgiving Cooking Recipe Ideas

‘Tis the season for Fall festivities, feasts, and friendsgiving. Since the holidays are all about good company and good food, we thought we’d do the honors of sharing some delectable recipes that incorporate warming spices. These comfort foods are sure to inject the soul with a sense of warmth and coziness. Fret no more about waltzing into a potluck or your parents place with mediocre meals or less than satisfactory side dishes–this assortment of recipe ideas is sure to woo all audiences, no matter how picky. 

Melt in Your Mouth Appetizers

No potluck is complete without some finger foods and savory yet sweet appetizers. The possibilities are endless when it comes to spice-fueled foods, but here are our favorites.

Thanksgiving Turkey and Sweet Potato Skewers

This appetizer is a playful way to incorporate protein and nutrient-dense veggies into your carb loaded feast. Feel free to add or substitute as needed–we highly recommend adding balsamic glazed brussel sprouts to your skewers, if it suits your fancy. No matter how you spin it, this dish is like a thanksgiving feast in your mouth!

Ingredients:

• Turkey or turkey breast
• Sweet potato
• Brussel sprouts
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Cardamom
• A dash of cinnamon
• Optional: cranberry sauce or balsamic glaze

Step 1: Assemble all ingredients and cut into cubed, bite size pieces

Step 2: Season with salt, pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, and toss with olive oil

Step 3: Place turkey, sweet potato, and brussel sprouts on skewers, alternating ingredients

Step 4: Place in oven for 30-35 minutes at 400 Degrees Fahrenheit

Step 5: Remove from oven, let cool, and drizzle with cranberry sauce or balsamic glaze

Step 6: Place on a cute dish, eat and enjoy!

Creamy Roasted Cauliflower Soup

This droolworthy, health forward soup is perfect for those cold, sweater weather days. It might seem like a rather basic dish on the surface, but one spoonful will send your taste buds to the stars and provide a warmth you didn’t know you needed. The subtle richness of this dish paired with hints of citrus and spice make for a delectable yet filling side dish or precursor to the main entrées.

Ingredients:

• Cauliflower
• Vegetable broth
• Garlic
• Butter
• Garlic
• Onion
• Olive Oil
• Nutmeg
• Lemon juice
• Salt
• Pepper
• Optional: chives, fresh parsley, green onion

Step 1: Break cauliflower into small florets

Step 2: Place cauliflower florets on a baking tray, toss with a light amount of olive oil and seasonings, and place in the oven for 25-35 minutes at 425 degrees Fahrenheit, until desired golden brown. Place the most aesthetic florets aside (about 4-8) for the soup garnish.

Step 3: Grab a soup pot, add chopped onion and cook until translucent–around 5-8 minutes

Step 4: Stir in garlic and broth or stock, as well as the roasted cauliflower

Step 5: Cook soup for around 20 minutes, allowing the flavors to combine thoroughly

Step 6: Transfer the soup to a blender or use a handheld blending tool to puree the veggies into a thick and creamy consistency

Step 7: Add butter, lemon juice, and seasonings, and continue to blend until fully smooth

Step 8: Garnish with herbs of your choosing and a dash of nutmeg

Step 9: Slurp up and lick the bowl clean!

Stuffing (that is actually tasty)

I think we can all agree that stuffing is usually not the fan favorite at a Thanksgiving soirée. While that may be so, we’ve got the perfect easy and flavorful stuffing recipe that will change your mind about stuffing forever.

Ingredients:

• Bread cubes (or croutons)
• Unsalted butter
• Diced sweet onion (2 whole onions)
• Diced celery
• Salt
• Pepper
• Sage
• Parsley
• Rosemary
• Chicken or vegetable stock
• 2 eggs
• Optional: grapes for sweetness

Step 1: If bread is soft, cut into small cubes and bake until toasted–typically 10-15 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 2: Cook onions, celery and garlic with stock, salt and pepper until softened, about 8 minutes

Step 3: pour remaining stock and 2 eggs together and whisk with seasonings

Step 4: Use a 9×13 baking dish, greased with butter to make it non-stick. Place toasted bread cubes at the base and pour the sautéed veggies, then stock and eggs on top

Step 5: Bake stuffing for 45-60 minutes, preventing stuffing from over-browning

Step 6: Let cool and garnish with rosemary

Decadent Desserts

Mini Pumpkin Pie

If you love all things miniature and pumpkin pie, this dessert dish is for you. These bite-sized pies not only make for great finger foods at a busy friendsgiving dinner party, but also serve as portion-control treats if you’ve got an everlasting sweet tooth. 

Ingredients:

• Pumpkin purée
• Light brown sugar
• Whipped cream or cool whip
• Vanilla extract
• Salt
• Cornstarch
• Cinnamon
• Ginger
• Allspice
• Nutmeg
• Pillsbury crescent rolls
• Optional: pecans

Step 1: Put all ingredients, sans pecans and crescent rolls in a blender or food processor and blend. 

Step 2: Use a small amount of melted butter to grease up a mini cupcake tray

Step 3: Place thin dough sheets inside each mini cupcake holder

Step 4: Fill with pumpkin deliciousness

Step 5: Bake mini pies in oven for 22-27 minutes at 350 degrees (or refer to pre-made dough instructions)
Step 6: Garnish with whipped cream and a single pecan per each mini pie

Apple Sheet Cake

A fabulous dessert choice with minimal cleaning, and great for on the go. This is the epitome of Fall–in cake form.

Ingredients:

• Apples
• Unsalted butter
• All-purpose flour
• Light brown sugar
• Unsweetened apple sauce
• 2 eggs
• Cinnamon
• Cardamom
• Ginger
• Cloves
• Salt
• Pepper
• Baking soda
• Baking powder
• Vanilla extract
• Optional: cream cheese for frosting

For apples: peel, core, and cut apples into small bite-sized chunks. Toss with cinnamon and sugar. Set aside until Step 4

Step 1: Whisk together all wet ingredients–eggs, vanilla extract, and butter–in a bowl with brown sugar

Step 2: Add all dry ingredients and whisk well until batter viscosity is consistent

Step 3: Pour all ingredients into pan evenly

Step 4: Place in oven for 30-40 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, making sure to butter or oil the pan prior to pouring in the mixture

Step 5: Let cake cool while making the frosting

Step 6: Add cream cheese, butter, and cinnamon–and optional vanilla extract–to a bowl and use a mixer to whip until smooth and creamy

Step 7: Frost the apple

We hope you get to try whipping up at least one–if not all–of these recipes! Your friends and family will thank you for blessing them with such mouthwatering eats and treats.