We are expecting about 20 people to come join us for dessert on Thanksgiving.  I am not stressed about it because I will be ready with a variety of choices so everyone will satisfy their sweet tooth.  I have a carafe marked decaf, a carafe for regular coffee, and the stainless carafe that goes with my coffee maker.  All the coffee will be pre-ground and pre-measured for one pot and placed in labeled plastic bags with decaf/regular.  We wil arrange the desserts, serving tools, coffee, and accompaniments on a buffet table and allow guests to help themselves to second helpings of dessert or coffee.  Please see our menu below…  Who wouldn’t love something from this list?

Pumpkin Pie

Apple Crumb Pie

Peanut Butter Pie

Italian Butter Cookies

Chocolate Truffles

White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Biscotti

I try to add something new each year to my Thanksgiving Menu.  There are some traditional parts of the meal that one should never leave out (turkey, stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes).  On Thanksgiving, it is really in the side dishes that make the meal.  This is not a day to open the jar or the freezer, you should take the time to make things from scratch. 

2009 Side Dishes

1) Sauteed Carrots – Heat your pan over medium heat, add olive oil and butter, add the carrots and a sprinkling or herbs de provence or fresh time, salt and pepper.  Cook until tender and slightly caramelized. 

2) Homemade applesauce -

3) Cranberry Sauce – not that nonsense they sell in a can! 

4) Roasted Squash 

You can cube squash, add olive oil, sage, salt and pepper and roast at 400 degrees like you would a potato.  You can also roast it whole and then add brown sugar, salt, pepper, and butter afterwards.  It just depends on whether you like it sweet or savory.  The important thing is that you don’t serve your guests that awful frozen baby food like squash. 

Here is my simple recipe for Pumpkin pancakes. 

Mix enough pancake batter for 4 servings (and dare I say that it is fine to use a mix)

Add a 15 oz. can of pumpkin, one teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of freshly grated nutmeg, one tablespoon of pure vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. 

Serve the pancakes with warm maple syrup and a touch of butter.  These pancakes pair nicely with a cappuccino, hot mulled cider, or your favorite autumnal blend of coffee.  Pancakes make a great breakfast dinner and your holiday guests or family will love these over the holidays. 

Some people may feel that inviting someone to your home for a fabulous home cooked meal is gift enough, but your guests will truly appreciate a little memento of their Thanksgiving Feast.  I’ll include some ideas for favors below.

1. Send them home with little pumpkins hollowed out with a small flower arrangement in them.  You can even use them as part of your centerpiece and have each guest take one with them when they leave. 
2. You can also send them home with a slice of pie or cookies baked especially for the day.  Make sure you have little boxes or bags tied with festive ribbon.  No one will brag about the favor they got in a ziploc bag. 
3. Print your favorite Thanksgiving recipe on velum paper and tie it up like a scroll.  What could be a better momento than that?  You will be getting credit for this thoughtful gift every time they make the dish for their family and friends.
4. Send them home with a Christmas tree ornament or a holiday scented candle.  I love Christmas Eve by Yankee Candle.  Admit that you are already thinking about Christmas as you are drying the Thanksgiving dishes – I know that I am.