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Menu Planning – Thanksgiving

2015 November 21
by WWGD

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When we moved into our new home back in early August my mom said we would be settled by Thanksgiving.

I laughed at her naivety. My type A personality couldn’t possibly take close to four months to get settled…

Well here we are, just days away from Thanksgiving. And we are almost settled. You win, mom. Again.

We are hosting the holiday (that has quickly become one of my favorites) and it will be the first big family celebration in our new home so it’s a little milestone for us. This home has turned out to be everything we hoped it would be: full of tranquility and ease and a casual, elegant sense of style that works for us, our kids and Luna, our newest addition to the family (you can meet her on Instagram).

So I want our Thanksgiving to evoke the same sense of easy simplicity that I have grown to strive for and appreciate so much in my life these days. The table will be simple (I love the inspiration above via here). The schedule will be relaxed with enough time for cocktails and lounging around and maybe a nap or two. And the menu will be classic and fuss-free. Some of it homemade, some of it pre-made and some of it made by someone else. Because that’s the definition of easy elegance to me. Here’s what I have planned:

Thyme popovers via Ina (I met her last week and she was just as awesome and cool and laid-back as you imagine…more on that someday)

11-layer potato gratin via Bobby Flay (he made this with Ina on her Thanksgiving special and I can’t lie, I finally have a foodie crush on Flay; I never got it until about two weeks ago and now I so get it…)

Classic herb stuffing 

Turkey (being made by a lovely specialty store down the road…)

Gravy (being made from a box…)

Brussels sprouts roasted with pancetta and balsamic (doesn’t even require a recipe: half them, toss them in oil, s&p, roast them until they’re really crispy with the pancetta and drizzle balsamic)

Cranberry sauce (from a can – who needs to make their own cranberry sauce? Not this girl)

Homemade pies from a quaint little bakery one town over – I ordered one pumpkin for the holiday and one triple chocolate cream…for the hostess

Any easy favorites on your menu that I should know about? Share!

5 Responses
  1. Lisa permalink
    November 21, 2015

    I would encourage you to make homemade cranberry sauce. Follow the recipe on the bag and it could not be easier! You will love. Glad you are blogging a bit…have missed it! Happy Thanksgiving!

    • WWGD permalink*
      November 21, 2015

      Ah! I had a bag in my basket and contemplated it…how easy is it, really though?? I want to keep it very low-key this year 😉

      • Courtney permalink
        November 22, 2015

        So easy! Cranberries, water and sugar. Boil until the berries pop and the sauce thickens and that’s it! You can add orange zest or something if you want but I prefer the simple recipe on the bag of the bag best.

  2. Kguyader permalink
    November 21, 2015

    While I’ve not made homemade cranberry sauce either, I do hear it’s very easy. But what’s even easier and very delicious is Trader Joe’s pre-made cranberry sauce ; ) Enjoying having you writing a bit in this space again. And new puppy is adorable. Happy Holidays!

  3. Courtney permalink
    November 22, 2015

    Whole Foods also makes a really nice gravy! We never make ours anymore because theirs is so much better. Sounds like a great holiday – especially the cocktails and the triple chocolate pie part 🙂

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