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  3. Showstopping Thanksgiving Menu

Showstopping Thanksgiving Menu

October 19, 2017
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Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
In the spirit of the season (and our plant-forward mission), this menu is led by autumn's best produce. We update roasted squash with a chile-ginger rub, spruce up standard mashed potatoes with leek and shallot, and provide palate relief with simple roasted carrots tossed with a burst of savory herbs.
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Herb, Lemon, and Garlic Turkey

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Herb, Lemon, and Garlic Turkey

Instead of a wet brine, this bird uses an overnight dry salt and sugar cure, which concentrates flavor. If you want to leave the skin on, it will add 25 calories and 1g of sat fat per serving. Hard herbs (fresh sage, rosemary, and thyme) hold up beautifully while roasting, imparting a woodsy, savory note to the meat. Soft herbs (parsley and chives) garnish the turkey and perk up the finished gravy. The wine in the roasting pan will keep the bird moist as it roasts and flavor the pan drippings used for the gravy.

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Triple-Onion Mashed Potatoes

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Triple-Onion Mashed Potatoes

Leeks, shallots, and chives make up the trio of onions in this holiday classic: Leeks are sautéed and folded into the mash, shallots are fried until golden for a crispy topper, and fresh chives garnish the dish. Remember to start the potatoes in cold water so they cook evenly and don’t lose their starch in the cooking liquid.

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Balsamic Cranberry-Onion Jam

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Balsamic Cranberry-Onion Jam

This jam is an excellent, refined sugar-free alternative to the traditional, often too-sweet sauce, and tastes even better a day or two after it’s made. Because fresh cranberries are so tart on their own, be sure to use a sweet onion such as Vidalia in the jam. Pair this condiment with your Thanksgiving plate, then use as a sandwich spread for holiday leftovers.

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Ginger-Chile Roasted Acorn Squash

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Ginger-Chile Roasted Acorn Squash

Fresh ginger, red Fresno chile, and pomegranate don’t usually appear on the Thanksgiving table, but we love how they transform simply roasted squash into a dish with tingly heat and pops of color. Leave the sheet pan in the oven as it preheats to jump-start browning, saving roasting time in the oven.

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Herb-Roasted Carrots

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Herb-Roasted Carrots

A simple side of perfectly roasted carrots is the breather a crowded Thanksgiving table needs—a bit of palate relief (and ease for the cook) that still looks elegant. Sweet, slightly firm, and tossed with fresh parsley and cilantro, these carrots would fit here and all season long. Use any remaining cilantro in leftover turkey tacos or chili. For an extra-pretty presentation, cut the carrot pieces at a 45° angle before roasting.

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    1 of 5 Herb, Lemon, and Garlic Turkey
    2 of 5 Triple-Onion Mashed Potatoes
    3 of 5 Balsamic Cranberry-Onion Jam
    4 of 5 Ginger-Chile Roasted Acorn Squash
    5 of 5 Herb-Roasted Carrots

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