Are you having a small Thanksgiving dinner this year? Try these main dishes

[ad_1]

A turkey breast is the most obvious option for those who enjoy the traditional feast but don’t necessarily need 10 pounds of meat for two or four people at the table. However, if the thought of not eating a turkey doesn’t ruffle your feathers, indulge yourself. You just don’t have to serve it!

As a food professional who does not personally care about the bird, I have spent the last few years serving anything But a whole turkey at my Thanksgiving dinners.

And while it’s better for our health and the health of the planet to eat less meat, you don’t necessarily have to turn to Tofurky or resort to roast chicken as a replacement. Here are some centerpiece meal ideas for cooks looking to mix up their Thanksgiving traditions while keeping them festive.

Who can say no to a pot pie? This version is chicken, but you can make it vegetarian if you want.

As a compromise for those who like the idea of turkey and gravy, but not the whole bird roasting process, Pot Pie serves up the traditional combination in a different package.

It’s a highly adaptable dish that can serve a crowd or just a few people – and doesn’t feel like you have to stick to turkey or even chicken. A vegetarian pie, stuffed with vegetables like potatoes, green beans, squash, corn and peppers, can be just as exciting and filling.

Try out your homemade pie crust skills or grab a packet of chilled crusts to make it easier. For a small group, you can make it even more whimsical with pop pie tarts.

Stuffed squash

Squash stuffed with quinoa, kale, cranberries and chickpeas are a colorful addition to the holiday table.

Stuffed peppers are for weekday dinners – stuffed squash is a Thanksgiving staple! The smaller varieties of squash make for a wonderful individual presentation that would eclipse a turkey even if it were on the table.

How to talk politics with angry loved ones who disagree with you

Cut the tops of round squash like carnival or acorn, or cut oblong squash like delicata in half lengthwise, then remove the seeds and stringy interior.

Choose a cooked grain, like farro, wild rice, quinoa, or couscous, and mix it up with seasonal ingredients like cranberries, pecans, apples, mushrooms and more. Try this apple and sausage stuffed squash or mushroom stuffed squash for a base and adjust to your liking.

Main dish casseroles

All-in on the stuffing by turning it into a casserole dish for the main course.

As someone who believes stuffing is the reason for the season, I’m here to say that it’s no stretch to translate this classic Thanksgiving sidekick into the main course.

Think of it more as a savory bread pudding rather than a regular side dish, with ingredient complements that increase its potential as a main meal with even more flavor. Like the stuffed squash, you can take a pan of stuffing in almost any direction.

A sausage stuffing is a traditional recipe that can be improved with cream and caramelized onions. Or try a hearty combination of kale, leeks and bacon with crispy bread cubes.

Squash lasagna

This chicken and pumpkin lasagna will fit perfectly into your Thanksgiving menu.

In many Italian-American families, a slice of lasagna is a traditional starter or side dish alongside the more widely accepted holiday dishes. But why not flip the script and turn the lasagna into the main attraction with a Thanksgiving twist?

Black Friday 2020 is almost here - here's what you need to know (CNN Underscored)

A white lasagna topped with roasted squash is a vegetarian option that feels very seasonal, like this acorn squash lasagna. If layers of squash, béchamel and three kinds of cheese don’t seem sufficient, you can also add sautéed spinach or other wilted green vegetables.

Happy Easter or Passover

A holiday ham is a solid option when you don't want a whole turkey.

If your favorite holiday meal is Easter or Passover, there is no food law that says you should only eat it once a year. The traditional ham or brisket that takes center stage at these big holidays can easily make its way into Thanksgiving.

Each of these large cuts of roast goes well with the usual list of Thanksgiving sides, from mashed potatoes and green bean casserole to roasted sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce.

So, if you have a beloved family recipe for the brisket or just prefer a ham, make this meal for yourself.

macaroni and cheese

Listen to me. When made from scratch, mac and cheese is a treat even on a regular day. But if you have the chance to make it more special, why not go all the way?

Bake an unrestricted mac and cheese casserole with real dairy and crunchy breadcrumbs, then top it with something even more decadent, like fried onions – hey, if they’re good enough for the beans. greens, rest assured they’re gonna be awesome here. Or go for the southern style with pulled pork or barbecued pork belly.

In fact, the mac and cheese breast is what my husband and I will have on our Thanksgiving two this year. In an age where all bets are off, why not go for the comfort food you love the most?

Casey barber is a food writer, photographer and illustrator; the author of “Pierogi Love: New Takes on Old World Comfort Food” and “Classic Snacks Made From Scratch: 70 Homemade Versions of Your Favorite Branded Treats”; and editor of the site Good. Food. Stories.

[ad_2]

Source link