By Aria Brent
AFRO Staff Writer
abrent@afro.com
Thanksgiving is the perfect time to gather with loved ones, share gratitude and kick off the holiday season. While it’s said that Thanksgiving is not the time to try new recipes and experiment with the dishes people love, the AFRO team empathizes with kitchen novices and those looking to jazz up the usual holiday offerings. Read below for three recipes, full of flavor, easy to make and sure to please!
Garlic parmesan mashed potatoes
Mashed potatoes are a part of the starting line up when it comes to Thanksgiving foods and this recipe is guaranteed to be a slam-dunk with anyone who comes to dinner. This recipe uses heavy cream as one of its main components which helps make the mashed potatoes creamy and smooth. The savory garlic flavor and saltiness of the parmesan go great with potatoes and will complement any other dishes served with it this holiday season.
Yields: 6 servings
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20-25 minutes
Ingredients:
6 large Russet potatoes, peeled and chunked
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed
8 garlic cloves
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for garnish
¾ cup heavy cream
½ cup sour cream
½ tbsp thyme
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Place the potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Add a dash of salt. Bring to a boil over high heat and cook until the potatoes are easily pierced with a fork.
- In a small pot add the heavy cream, thyme and five garlic cloves. Set to a medium to low heat and let simmer until garlic is tender and the mixture is aromatic.
- Mince remaining garlic cloves.
- Drain potatoes and add to a large bowl along with heavy cream mixture. Take a potato masher and begin to gently mash your potatoes. Once your potatoes are fully mashed, make the rest of the dish with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon.
- Fold in the butter and mix until butter is fully melted and absorbed into the potatoes.
- Add in sour cream and parmesan cheese and combine until the cheese is melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Season with salt and pepper for taste. Garnish with leftover parmesan cheese.
- Enjoy!
Miso maple brussels sprouts with bacon
These brussel sprouts are the perfect combination of savory sweet with a little bit of spice. Cook them until they’re crispy on the outside and tender on the inside and watch how quickly they disappear. This recipe is super easy as is but customizing it is really simple too. Add in flavors like garlic or ginger to take this dish to a whole new level and if you’re looking for a little extra sweetness, sprinkle some brown sugar on top before placing them back in the oven.
Yields: 4 servings
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 35-40 minutes
Ingredients:
1 lb Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved (or quartered if large)
8 slices bacon, diced
3 tbsp pure maple syrup
2 tbsp white miso paste
1 ½ tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
½ tbsp dijon mustard
¼ tbsp red pepper chili flakes
2 tsp of olive oil
2 tsp bacon grease
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a large skillet cook the diced bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, reserving about 2 teaspoons of the bacon grease for later in the recipe.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F
- Toss your brussel sprouts with olive oil and season with salt in pepper. Place on a baking tray and place in the oven for 25 minutes or until brussels sprouts begin to brown.
- In a medium sized bowl whisk together miso paste, maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, bacon grease, dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined. Taste the glaze and adjust the flavor to fit your liking.
- Remove the Brussels sprouts from the oven and toss in the glaze along with red pepper chili flakes. Spread back onto the baking sheet and place back in the oven for an additional 10-15 minutes.
- Once done cooking, top with bacon.
- Enjoy!
Pinwheels with goat cheese and sundried tomato pesto
Sometimes getting the entire Thanksgiving spread together can take longer than anticipated. With that unexpected wait time, guests can grow hangry and irate– serve them these delicious puff pastry pinwheels to keep the atmosphere nice and calm while finishing up the main course. These are easy to make on the spot but can also be made in advance. Just pop them in the oven or air-fryer for about 15 minutes whenever your loved ones seem to be in need of a snack.
Yields: About 10 pinwheels
Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 12-15 minutes
Ingredients:
1 sheet of puff pastry dough, at room temperature
4 oz garlic and herb goat cheese, at room temperature
½ cup sun dried tomato pesto
1 cup mozzarella cheese
1 tbsp Italian seasoning
Instructions:
Move your puff pastry from the freezer to the fridge about a day in advance to thaw. Set your dough out about 2 hours before preparing this recipe.
- Lightly flour a cutting board and unfold your puff pastry. Gently roll out your dough with a rolling pin. Use your fingertips to evenly spread out your dough.
- Use a spoon to evenly spread your softened goat cheese on your dough.
- Add your sun dried tomato pesto on top of your goat cheese and smooth spread it out.
- Sprinkle your mozzarella cheese and Italian seasoning on top of your pesto.
- Tightly roll your puff pastry into a log and refrigerate for 20 minutes
- Cut your log into slices– you should end up with about 10 pieces. Evenly place them onto a baking sheet.
- Place in the oven for about 15-20 minutes or until pinwheels are golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Enjoy!
The post Three recipes to put on the Thanksgiving table this year appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.
