Thanksgiving is a time for familial tradition, be it the century-old silver turkey platter or the famous gravy recipe passed down through the generations. But sometimes we get so caught up in keeping with the traditions, we forget that they were never all that great to begin with.
For the recipe relics of yore that haven’t aged well, a makeover can provide a much needed breath of fresh air. Of course, some dishes needn’t be changed a bit. A juicy, well-seasoned turkey rarely needs an update; it’s truly a timeless classic. Likewise, a pumpkin pie made by your great grandmother or a recipe gleaned from the original Joy of Cooking is just as good now as it was then.
But for the dishes that haven’t kept up with our changing food trends and evolving taste buds, here are some fresh takes, all gussied up for the 21st century. They’re simple and straightforward, with an emphasis on fresh, quality ingredients. You won’t have to buy cream of mushroom soup, nor will you be hunting around the freezer section. And you won’t be breaking any traditions that weren’t already asking for it.
Makeover #1: Candied Yams
Poor little orange spuds, drowned in a sea of sugar and corn syrup
(one recipe I found called for a pound of brown sugar, 1/4
cup white sugar, and 2 cups marshmallows), their natural sweetness
overpowered and undervalued. But this starchy vegetable doesn’t
have to be blanketed in a layer of glucose to make it
delicious.
- The alternative: Simply Delicious Roasted Butternut Squash opts for a different orange vegetable and saves the overwhelming sweetness for dessert. It’s an easy recipe that brings forth the rich flavor of butternut squash and is sure to earn a semi-permanent place at the holiday table.
Makeover #2: Green Bean Casserole
Don’t get me wrong, green bean casseroles are usually quite tasty. But the ingredient list reads like a chemical cornucopia—long on the canned, processed, and artificial ingredients and short on honest-to-goodness food.
- The alternative: This recipe for Fresh Sautéed Green Beans keeps it simple, with a few key ingredients that bring out the natural flavor and crispness of green beans. Try to pick up your beans from a nearby farmer’s market, where the flavor will be boldest. With this recipe, you’ll not only save calories and saturated fat, but because it’s so simple, you’ll also save some cash.
Makeover #3: Brussels Sprouts
Many a recipe has been attempted to make these funky-looking
vegetables edible. Many result in an over-steamed or over-cooked
version that leaves guests wondering which family member passed gas
and how they can pass on the sprouts as quickly as possible.
- The alternative: Brussels Sprouts with Crispy Pancetta won’t leave you with a soggy, wilted sprout; instead, it will turn the simple vegetable into a wonderfully nutty and crisp treat. And you really can’t go wrong with Italian pork products.
Makeover #4: Canned Cranberry Sauce
Maybe you like the canned stuff. That’s cool. But what about
appearances? The unnaturally perfect cylinder with indented ridges
from the can, the bright magenta color, the fact that it holds its
shape hours after it’s plopped onto a plate, the disturbing
jiggling as dad carves the turkey … it’s all just too weird for me.
- The alternative: Third Generation Cranberry Sauce with Pears is made with real cranberries, spices, and pears. It’s sweet and tangy and adds a perfect amount of flavor to accompany the turkey and stuffing. And it doesn’t jiggle.
Makeover #5: Creamed Corn Casserole
Another relic of the canned age, the creamed corn casserole doesn’t
bring much to the table except another goopy dish with a barely
identifiable vegetable product.
- The alternative: Fresh Corn Salad adds a clean, fresh crunch to the holiday table. Serve it in lieu of a green salad or as another side on the table. Plus, it’s quick and easy!
Makeover #6: Packaged Mashed Potatoes
Okay, I’m not sure how many people use the packaged stuff on
Thanksgiving, but some might be looking to upgrade the traditional
mashed potatoes with something more unique.
- The alternative: Creamy Cauliflower Puree may not sound as savory as mashed potatoes, but I’ve had many variations of this puree and loved it every time. It’s smooth and rich without a lot of added fat. The cauliflower isn’t overpowering, but adds a nice robust flavor.
Makeover #7: Same Old Bird
As stated, a good turkey recipe is timeless. But maybe the same old
bird has lost its allure or you’ve already tried the fried turkey
and you’ve experimented with other types of fowl. What else?
- The alternative: Drunken Turkey is a recipe that might just provide the wine-soaked solution. It will definitely be something new.
As much as Thanksgiving is about tradition, it’s also about being thankful for the things we can—and do—change.
See more great recipes from DivineCaroline:
Simple Pumpkin Soup
Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte
Healthy Thanksgiving Sides
