Flavorful Thanksgiving Day Recipes

That looks like a beautiful classic Thanksgiving Day meal. It is always important to keep tradition in mind for the holidays. Even though you keep these traditions in mind. it is also a good idea to add on expand or even improve some of the classic recipes that you may use. So , we found some recipes that you can use to expand your cooking horizins and start some new traditions.

Butterflied Turkey with Apple-Cranberry Glaze

Ingredients

For the turkey:

• 1 1/4 cups kosher salt
• 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup coriander seeds, cracked
• 3 star anise pods
• 1 teaspoon white peppercorns
• 1 3-inch unpeeled piece ginger, thinly sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, smashed
• 1 12-pound turkey, butterflied (ask your butcher to do this)
• 2 teaspoons ground coriander

For the glaze:

• 3 cups apple cider
• 1 2-inch piece ginger, thinly sliced
• 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1 to 3 dried red chile peppers
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• Kosher salt
• 2 to 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, diced

Directions

Prepare the turkey a day or two before roasting: Bring 3 quarts water, the salt, brown sugar, coriander seeds, star anise, peppercorns, ginger and garlic to a boil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring to dissolve the salt and sugar. Remove from the heat and add 4 cups cold water; cool to room temperature. Place the turkey in a large container, pour the brine over it, cover and refrigerate at least 6 hours or overnight. Remove the turkey, dry it well and pat all over with the ground coriander. Let dry in the refrigerator at least 4 hours or overnight.

Make the glaze: Bring the cider, ginger, cranberries, chiles, molasses and vinegar to a boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Reduce to a simmer and cook until thick, whisking occasionally, about 30 minutes. Strain the glaze and season with salt.

Preheat the oven to 375º. Place the turkey breast-side up on a rack in a roasting pan and roast 1 hour 10 minutes, or until a thermometer inserted into the thigh registers 155º to 160º. Continue roasting, brushing with the glaze every 10 minutes, until brown and crisp, about 30 more minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest 15 minutes before carving. Alternatively, grill the turkey: Preheat a grill to medium on one side. Place the turkey breast-side up on the cooler side of the grill (position a drip pan under the grate), cover and cook until 165º, about 1 hour 20 minutes. Brush with the glaze and grill, uncovered, 10 more minutes.

Heat the remaining glaze with any pan drippings in a saucepan over medium heat and whisk in the butter. Carve the turkey and serve with the extra glaze

Herb-Roasted Turkey Breast

Ingredients

• 1 whole bone-in turkey breast, 6 1/2 to 7 pounds
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic (3 cloves)
• 2 teaspoons dry mustard
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary leaves
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage leaves
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons good olive oil
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 cup dry white wine

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Place the turkey breast, skin side up, on a rack in a roasting pan.
In a small bowl, combine the garlic, mustard, herbs, salt, pepper, olive oil, and lemon juice to make a paste. Loosen the skin from the meat gently with your fingers and smear half of the paste directly on the meat. Spread the remaining paste evenly on the skin. Pour the wine into the bottom of the roasting pan.
Roast the turkey for 1 3/4 to 2 hours, until the skin is golden brown and an instant-read thermometer registers 165 degrees F when inserted into the thickest and meatiest areas of the breast. (I test in several places.) If the skin is over-browning, cover the breast loosely with aluminum foil. When the turkey is done, cover with foil and allow it to rest at room temperature for 15 minutes. Slice and serve with the pan juices spooned over the turkey.

Caramelized Onion and Cornbread Stuffing

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 onions, chopped
• 6 large cornmeal muffins, cubed
• Handful fresh sage leaves, chopped
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup chicken stock
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Melt the butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring, for about 10 minutes, or until soft and caramelized. Add sage and scrape into a large mixing bowl. Add the cornbread pieces, season well with salt and pepper, and give it a good toss until it's well combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, cream, and stock, and pour that over the cornbread. Stir the stuffing together and stuff the cavity of the turkey. You could also spoon it into a buttered baking dish and put it in the oven along with the turkey. Bake until hot and crusty on top, about 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 pound dense country white bread, cut in 3/4-inch cubes
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for greasing the baking dish
• 2 leeks, halved lengthwise
• 4 to 6 ounces button or wild mushrooms, sliced 1/3-inch thick
• Oil
• 1 1/2 cups thinly sliced celery
• 2 to 3 teaspoons crumbled dried sage
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme or dried marjoram, or a combination
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 3 cups chicken or turkey stock
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• Fresh sage or thyme sprigs, for garnish

Sage Dressing

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Toast the bread cubes on baking sheets for about 25 minutes, stirring once or twice, until lightly brown and crisp. Transfer them to a large bowl.

Butter a 9 by 13-inch baking dish and set aside.

Brush the leeks and mushrooms with oil and grill over medium heat until tender. Slice the white and pale green part of the leek and add them along with the mushrooms to the croutons. Warm 6 tablespoons of butter in a skillet and stir in the celery. Saute until soft, about 7 minutes. Add the sage, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine and scrape into the bowl of croutons. Add the stock 1 cup at a time until the bread is very moist but not soupy. Cover and refrigerate the dressing until ready to use.

Turn the oven up to 425 degrees F.

Taste and adjust the seasoning of the dressing. Whisk the eggs and baking powder together and incorporate into the dressing. Spoon the dressing into the prepared baking dish and cover. Transfer to the oven and bake for 25 minutes. Uncover and continue baking 15 to 20 additional minutes, or until lightly browned and crusty on top.

Garnish with the herb sprigs and serve the dressing hot.


Cranberry Sauce

Ingredients

• 1 pound fresh cranberries, approximately 4 cups
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1/4 cup 100 percent cranberry juice, not cocktail
• 1 cup honey

Directions

Wash the cranberries and discard any that are soft or wrinkled.
Combine the orange juice, cranberry juice and honey in a 2 quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the cranberries and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries burst and the mixture thickens. Do not cook for more than 15 minutes as the pectin will start to break down and the sauce will not set as well. Remove from the heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes.
Carefully spoon the cranberry sauce into a 3 cup mold. Place in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours and up to overnight.
To unmold and serve, immerse bottom of mold in hot water for 10 to 15 seconds and turn upside down on plate or serving dish. If necessary, carefully run a warm knife around the edge of the mold.


French Apple Tart

Ingredients

For the pastry:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 12 tablespoons (11/2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, diced
• 1/2 cup ice water

For the apples:

• 4 Granny Smith apples
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) cold unsalted butter, small diced
• 1/2 cup apricot jelly or warm sieved apricot jam
• 2 tablespoons Calvados, rum, or water

Directions

For the pastry, place the flour, salt, and sugar in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Pulse for a few seconds to combine. Add the butter and pulse 10 to 12 times, until the butter is in small bits the size of peas. With the motor running, pour the ice water down the feed tube and pulse just until the dough starts to come together. Dump onto a floured board and knead quickly into a ball. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
Roll the dough slightly larger than 10 by 14-inches. Using a ruler and a small knife, trim the edges. Place the dough on the prepared sheet pan and refrigerate while you prepare the apples.
Peel the apples and cut them in half through the stem. Remove the stems and cores with a sharp knife and a melon baler. Slice the apples crosswise in 1/4-inch thick slices. Place overlapping slices of apples diagonally down the middle of the tart and continue making diagonal rows on both sides of the first row until the pastry is covered with apple slices. (I tend not to use the apple ends in order to make the arrangement beautiful.) Sprinkle with the full 1/2 cup of sugar and dot with the butter.
Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the pastry is browned and the edges of the apples start to brown. Rotate the pan once during cooking. If the pastry puffs up in one area, cut a little slit with a knife to let the air out. Don't worry! The apple juices will burn in the pan but the tart will be fine! When the tart's done, heat the apricot jelly together with the Calvados and brush the apples and the pastry completely with the jelly mixture. Loosen the tart with a metal spatula so it doesn't stick to the paper. Allow to cool and serve warm or at room temperature.

These recipes are wonderful to use while still keeping your Thanksgivng Day recipes traditional. A big thanks goes to foodnetwork.com Thanksgiving web page for these great cooking ideas.If you would like to contact us with any questions or feedback, you can reach us by email.

Thank you for visiting !

Joseph A. Jones & The WellLife Team