Simple Thanksgiving Menu for 4-6 with prep plan

Thanksgiving this year is likely to look different than in years past– but that doesn’t mean we need to forgo the delicious food and time spent with family, however small it might be. This smaller menu, designed for 4-6, is a delicious blend of sweet and savory favorites- with a twist! Scroll down for the menu, grocery list and prep plan (plus my favorite cinnamon whipped sweet potatoes!)

On the menu:

• Autumn Kale and Squash Salad
• Sage Apple Roasted Chicken (or turkey)
• Cornbread Stuffing
• Bacon Cranberry Brussels Sprouts
• Cinnamon Whipped Sweet Potatoes (see recipe, below)
• Sage’s Fall Apple Crunch with whipped cream (or vanilla bean ice cream)
• Dry Farm Wines (get a bottle for a penny, here!)

What you’ll need:

Fresh Ingredients:

• 1 medium chicken or small turkey
• 7-9 large apples
• 1 bunch sage
• 1 bunch thyme
• 1 bunch parsley
• 4 carrots
• 4 stalks celery
• 2 large onions
• 1 head garlic
• 5 sticks butter
• 1 bunch kale
• 1 delicata squash
• 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
• 1/3 cup crumbled goat cheese
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 lb bacon
• 1 1/2 cups chicken broth

Dry goods/Pantry Staples:

• sea salt
• olive or avocado oil
• cinnamon
• cumin
• nutmeg
• ginger
• chili powder
• coriander
• oregano
• honey
• white balsamic vinegar
• dijon mustard
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• walnuts (optional)
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup dried cherries
• sugar
• brown sugar
• oats
• almond flour
• gluten-free flour
• cornmeal
• baking powder
• baking soda

Prep Plan:

2 days ahead (if needed):

Defrost turkey or chicken safely in fridge

1 day ahead:

• Prep all vegetables
• Prepare cornbread
• Cook delicata squash
• Prepare apple crunch (to reheat during dinner)

Day of:

• 3-3.5 hours ahead of time: prepare herb butter for chicken or turkey. Preheat oven to 400.
• 2.5-3 hours ahead of time (add a half an hour to rest): Put bird in oven.
• While bird is cooking:
• Cook bacon for brussels sprouts
• Boil and mash sweet potatoes (tent until ready to use)Prepare stuffing
• In last 45 minutes of cooking, cook stuffing
• While stuffing is cooking, prepare salad dressing and salad.
• While bird is resting, reheat squash if desired (5-10 minutes in oven) and cook brussels sprouts.
• Serve salad while sprouts are cooking, toss sprouts with additional ingredients while salad plates are being cleared.
• Reheat apple crunch while enjoying dinner. Serve warm.

Last but certainly not least, my favorite cinnamon whipped sweet potato recipe:

Have a healthy, happy Thanksgiving, friend- whatever it looks like, this year!