Spice Up Thanksgiving with Delicious Family Recipes

By: Sarah King

Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for crisp, cool weather, family time and delicious, mouthwatering food. Each year, Americans gather around the table to celebrate the first harvest where Native Americans fed the Pilgrims with a feast in 1621. Since then, Americans have updated the Native Americans’ menu, and this year, my family updated their traditional menu, too, by adding some easy, delectable takes on classic Thanksgiving sides. They were all a big success, and would be a great addition to your Thanksgiving menu in the future.

Sweet Potato Fries Prep Time: 10 min. Total Time: 35 min. Serves: 5

Ingredients:

1. 5 sweet potatoes

2. optional spices: salt, black pepper, chili powder, paprika, cinnamon sugar, brown sugar, or parmesan cheese

Steps:

1. Heat oven to 425℉ and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Peel and cut potatoes into slices like fries (about ¼ inch long and ¼ inch wide using a crinkle cut knife.)

3. Coat with 1 tablespoon olive oil per sweet potato.

4. Sprinkle your choice of spices to taste.

5. Bake in single layer for 20-25 min., flipping halfway through so they are equally crispy.

Recipe from the kitchen of Lauren Dunn

Cranberry Fluff Prep Time: 20 min. Total Time: 30 min. Serves: 6

Ingredients:

1. 1 (16 oz) whole berry cranberry sauce

2. 1 package raspberry jello

3. 1 cup cranberry juice

4. 1 cup cool whip whipped cream

Steps:

1. Boil cranberry juice in medium sized saucepan.

2. Add in jello and stir until dissolved.

3. Stir in cranberry sauce.

4. Move mixture to a bowl and chill until thickened.

5. Fold in whipped cream and serve.

Recipe from the kitchen of Sarah King

Melt in Your Mouth Pumpkin Spice Cookies Prep Time: 30 min. Total Time: 45 min. Serves:

Ingredients:

1. 2 cups butter, softened

2. 2 cups granulated sugar

3. 2 teaspoons baking powder

4. 2 teaspoons baking soda

5. 1 teaspoon salt

6. 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

7. 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

8. 2 eggs

9. 2 teaspoons vanilla

10. 1 15-ounce can pumpkin

11. 4 cups all-purpose flour

Cream Cheese Frosting:

1. 1/2 cup butter

2. 1 (8-oz) package cream cheese, softened

3. 1 lb powdered sugar (about 3 3/4 cups)

4. 1 teaspoon vanilla

5. ground cinnamon sprinkled on top (optional)

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350℉. In a large bowl, beat 2 cups butter with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy.

2. Add granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Beat until combined, scraping bowl occasionally.

3. Add eggs and 2 teaspoons vanilla; beat until combined.

4. Beat in pumpkin. Add the flour slowly until combined. Dough will be very wet.

5. Drop dough by the tablespoon onto parchment lined sheets.

6. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until tops are set.

7. Transfer cookies to a wire rack; let cool.

For the frosting: Beat all of the ingredients until soft and whipped. Frost cooled cookies and sprinkle with cinnamon.

Recipe from the kitchen of Katie Brailsford

Great Harvest Bread Company Rolls If you’re looking for the most delicious dinner rolls to finish your perfect Thanksgiving feast, look no further! This is not a recipe, so if you don’t enjoy cooking, you’re in luck. The Great Harvest Bread Co. (located next to Trader Joe’s in the Piper Glen shopping center) has the best, fresh homemade rolls already cooked for your enjoyment. Be sure to order ahead of time because these rolls are very popular.