Home / Food Bites & Articles / Janet's Notebook

Feast on Our Favorite Thanksgiving Recipes

Pumpkin Gingersnap Mousse

I’m in full Thanksgiving planning mode right now making sure I have enough plates, silverware, figuring out how I’m going to decorate the table… all that fun stuff. With my priorities – of course! – on the menu. As with tradition, turkey will be my main course. But, I’m excited about what else may round out the meal.

Didi Dalaba’s Maple Chicken Pumpkin Bites are the perfect way to start our day of eating. “These little gems will be gone the moment they take the first bite,” says Didi. “You have crunchy, buttery, maple, sweet, savory and spicy all in one!” I loved the spice combo in these. The chicken and pumpkin worked really well together. These are going to be great on Thanksgiving, but they’d be a nice addition to any fall gathering.

There is so much flavor in Dawn Ballou’s Cheese Biscuits you’d never guess that these are gluten free. The coconut flour, garlic and onion powders, combine to give these drop biscuits great flavor. And, of course, the addition of cheese is tasty too. I bet everyone will just eat these up!

When I saw that Jennifer DeShazo added cheese to her Cheezy Green Bean Casserole recipe I knew I had to try it! “Holidays just aren’t the same without green bean casserole,” shares Jennifer. “My family loves the extra ‘umph’ the added mushrooms and cheese provide! Much to my delight the cheese took this casserole up several notches. In fact, my husband tried them and commented that it was the best green bean casserole he had ever eaten. Nice!

“My family may be one of ten who really doesn’t like the marshmallowy, brown sugary sweetness of most sweet potato casseroles,” explains Sherry Peyton. If you’re family is like Sherry’s, then you’ll want to try her The Not So Sweet Potato Casserole recipe. I really liked the more savory taste of this sweet potato casserole. Thanks to the natural sugars from the potato this rich casserole is slightly sweet, but not overpowering. The chopped nuts on top add nice crunch to this wonderful side.

Joan Hunt’s Honey Glazed Vegetables recipe is a lovely way to serve veggies. “This sweet glaze is nice if you have a sweet tooth and are trying to eat healthy,” says Joan. When I taste tested this recipe, I used the combination of vegetables Joan suggests. But try it with whatever your family prefers. I bet everyone will be asking for seconds of these.

“A rival for pumpkin pie,” suggests Patrice Manning of her Pumpkin Gingersnap Mousse. “My husband had always requested pumpkin pie, until this came along!” Patrice is right… this does take the place of pumpkin pie. You already know how much I love pumpkin and this recipe is perfect for my taste buds. The mousse is really creamy and would be lovely after Thanksgiving dinner. The chopped up gingersnaps in the middle are a great surprise. I couldn’t get enough of this dessert… and I know your guests will love this too.

This Thanksgiving, we hope you enjoy family, friends and some great food. And, make sure you thank the cook!