one of my very favorite things to do when writing recipes is to elevate beloved classics. mashed potatoes are lovely and perfect- but my whipped parsnips with mascarpone make a statement and start a conversation. all of these recipes are gluten-free, soy-free, refined sugar-free and absolutely delicious. behold, my elevated classics thanksgiving roundup.
maple sage-spiced macadamias:
a small fancy bowl of spiced nuts at a cocktail party are my love language. they are such a simple, yet upscale way, to impress your guests and provide a small nibble before a large dinner. these maple sage spiced macadamias take less than 10 minutes to make and are absolutely delicious served warm straight from the pan. serve these maple sage spiced macadamias with an old fashioned or pomegranate spritzer and you have a dynamite pre-dinner combination. get the recipe here.
cacio e pepe deviled eggs:
cacio e pepe is a beloved italian pasta dish literally meaning “cheese and pepper.” it traditionally involves plenty of fresh-cracked black pepper with pecorino Romano, a nutty sheep’s milk cheese, butter and pasta water. I’ve fused the thought of this iconic dish with traditional deviled eggs for the perfect holiday treat. serve these cacio e Pepe deviled eggs with family and friends and the tray will disappear just as soon as you set it out. get the recipe here.
fancy cranberry sauce mini Bundts:
i love cranberry sauce and i make it every year. i like to enjoy mine tart and sweet with a huge pop of citrus and flavor dimension. i thought it would be fun this year to incorporate my classic cranberry citrus relish into nostalgic jello salad molds. this formed fancy little marie antoinette-style bundt cakes so everyone could have their own little, “cake” for a serving. view full recipe here.
apple walnut & bleu cheese salad:
in my personal chef days, i oftentimes prepped special holiday meal components for my weekly clients. one of my most-requested winter salads was this apple, walnut & bleu cheese salad, (for very good reasons). it’s a salad for people who don’t like salads and it’s a gorgeous addition to your holiday table. this apple, walnut & bleu cheese salad will liven any holiday meal because of its ingredients. it has a festive appearance, a tart and vibrant vinaigrette, in-season sweet apples, earthy walnuts and pungent bleu cheese. view the full recipe here.
whipped parsnips with mascarpone:
although i love mashed potatoes, i feel like there are a couple of under appreciated root vegetables that i also adore. parsnips are starchier than carrots, but sweeter than potatoes, and really carry a delicate flavor profile that isn’t mimicked by others. when creamy fluffy mascarpone cheese, melted butter, cream and parmesan are added to soft, boiled parsnips, they whip up into a decadent delight. this dish is a little different, but still upholds those comforting and nostalgic flavors that we all yearn for over the holiday. view full recipe here.
loaded baked potato casserole:
this loaded baked potato casserole was a customer favorite when we owned our organic meal delivery service. it’s all of your favorite flavors from a loaded baked potato in casserole form. loads of sharp cheddar, crumbled bacon, chives, scallions and sour cream create an irresistible casserole that will feed an army. view full recipe here.
brussels sprouts with bacon & dried cherries:
these brussels sprouts with bacon & dried cherries were a top ordered thanksgiving side dish with my organic grab & go shop and meal delivery service. it’s the perfect combination of sweet, salty, saucy and spicy paired with the season’s best roasted brussels sprouts. view full recipe here.
gf Mac & cheese with candied jalapeños:
I made this scrumptious gf Mac & cheese last year for thanksgiving and it disappeared almost immediately. we are talking a thanksgiving full of big and tall men who love to tease me about being gluten free- they all loved it. it’s gluten-free, made with the yummiest cheeses and has a perfect sweet & spicy addition to set it over the top. I knocked off some jalapeños for my toddler and he loved it too! get the full recipe here.
gf apple butterscotch bread pudding:
i’m declaring this gluten-free butterscotch apple bread pudding the *new* pumpkin pie for thanksgiving day. this rustic and beautiful sweet treat bakes up in a simple casserole dish, reheats beautifully if you are traveling and has an intensely-delicious homemade butterscotch and apple pie flavor. even better? this bread pudding just happens to be gluten-free and refined sugar-free. wowza. Get the Full recipe here.
semi-homemade paleo chocolate orange cake:
this semi-homemade paleo chocolate orange cake is an homage to that classic chocolate and orange flavor combination that is timeless and works perfectly together. this cake is simple to make, decadent and the perfect contribution for a Friendsgiving or holiday party. get the full recipe here.
I hope you have the best thanksgiving!
I hope you’ve enjoyed my thanksgiving recipe roundup! make sure to keep a look out for my homemade for the holidays series for new recipes that I’ll be posting the entire month of January. make sure to sign up for my newsletter to always stay in the loop! xoxo, Callie