Spice Up Your Thanksgiving Table: Our Favorite Healthy Recipes
By Ashley Sugar
Fall is a favorite season for good reason. Beautiful foliage, sweaters, a nice chill, and of course, Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is a time for us to get together around a table with our loved ones and celebrate all that we are grateful for: our health, our good fortune, and freedom. Traditionally on the table are the famous “OGs” of Thanksgiving: the turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and my personal favorite, yams. It can be all so good and, at times, a little too much, leaving many of us in a carb-induced coma at the end of the night. If you want to go light this year and cook up some healthier options, check out the following recipes to spice up your Thanksgiving table.
The Starters
Starters are totally not necessary, and on a day like Thanksgiving, when you will be consuming tons of food, you can skip them. However, if you are hosting a large gathering or would like to provide some snacks while everyone waits for dinner, we have some great options that won’t fill you up. A classic hors d'oeuvre, bruschetta is a go-to in my house. It is both easy and delicious. Try this traditional recipe, but don’t be afraid to branch out. There are tons of fun, fall-appropriate but innovative bruschetta recipes, like this apple butternut squash version. If you want to take your bruschetta to the next level, pick up some fresh basil and tomatoes at your local farm stand. If tomatoes are not your thing, go for these Pomegranate Goat Cheese Bites. They’ll look fancy and will be sure to wow your guests with minimum effort. Phyllo shells come ready for use and are a great way to spice up any appetizer.
The Mains
The most stressful part of any Thanksgiving is the turkey, but it doesn’t have to be. If it is your first year or you want to try something new, try this Turkey preparation step-by-step guide. It is believed that the pilgrims and natives ate this bird at the first Thanksgiving feast, but it’s somewhat a matter of historical speculation and debate. So don’t worry; you can still get in the Thanksgiving spirit and enjoy a different main dish. This Maple Glazed Pork Roast is another excellent option for your Thanksgiving table. Pork is excellent when paired with sweet flavors, like maple syrup and apples.
The Sides
You can never have enough sides, and Thanksgiving is the one holiday in which side dishes get the proper ado they deserve. Ditch the old green beans this year and go for some garlic mushrooms; they are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Not every dish has to be a headache to make. If you are looking for something simple, roast some fall vegetables like in this recipe. Just because a recipe is simpler does not make it inferior. Butternut squash, brussel sprouts, and carrots are great additions to any fall vegetable mix, and don’t forget the fresh thyme and rosemary for a little something special.
Dessert
The pumpkin and apple pie are staples at any Thanksgiving gathering, but these less conventional desserts will have you second-guessing pie and maybe never going back. This Apple Crisp Recipe is a great, healthier substitute for the apple pie fans. A fun fall activity for the whole family or your girlfriends is apple picking! Find your local apple farm and pick some fresh apples for your apple crisp. Don’t forget a glass of apple cider while you galavant among the trees. If apples are not your thing or perhaps you prefer something compatible with the paleo diet, these Paleo Pumpkin Pie Bars will make your thankful list this Thanksgiving.
Photo via Ben Shapiro
