Thanksgiving Menu

in Vegetarian Thanksgiving

On the hunt for some new servings bowls, I headed to Home Goods (the interior design version of Marshalls – you must go if you haven’t been!).  I really wanted to hit up Goodwill or a consignment store – it would’ve been so much cheaper – but ran out of time.  Maybe next year. 

 

I scored four white dishes for about $50.  Not too bad.  I didn’t want to buy a holiday-specific set because, obviously, I want to use these year-around. 

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I’m becoming my mother.  I own more than one serving dish.

 

Anyway, one-third life crisis aside, I really like the texture of these dishes.  One thing that I’ve learned from food blogging is that food almost always looks better in a white dish.  I hope my Thanksgiving foods really pop!

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So – what’s on the menu?

 

Our Thanksgiving Menu

 

Traditional Entrée – Turkey, Stuffing, and Gravy (provided by DadHTP)

Vegan Entr̩e РCranberry, Apricot and Pecan Wild Rice Pilaf from Oh She Glows

Cornbread

Sweet Potato Casserole

Mashed Potatoes

Grilled Asparagus

Roasted Carrots

Crock Pot Cranberry Sauce from Peas and Crayons

Sophie’s Apple Crumble

Vegan Pumpkin Pie from Oh She Glows

 

I’m hoping this is more than enough food – if I’m going to do all this cooking, I want a lot of leftovers.

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It was a bit challenging to plan a menu for a group of six adults who are, in one way or another, dairy-free, vegetarian, diabetic, and/or gluten-free, but it was also pretty fun.  Now, I just have to cook everything… and try not to trash the kitchen in the process. 

 

What’s on your Thanksgiving menu?

{ 41 comments }

 

  • Sarah @ In Sustainability and in Health November 20, 2012, 10:50 am

    This looks awesome – you planned a great menu!

  • Danielle J November 20, 2012, 10:55 am

    FYI your Vegan Pumpkin Pie link’s to Sophie’s Apple Crumble

    • Caitlin November 20, 2012, 10:56 am

      whoops, thanks, let me correct.

  • Rachel (Two Healthy Plates) November 20, 2012, 10:55 am

    Sounds great!
    I LOVE HomeGoods – although I think it’s safe to say that my husband has banned me from that store! It’s my favorite place to buy kitchen stuff – I always end up coming out with a bag of photo props too! hah

  • kalli November 20, 2012, 10:57 am

    wow you are incredible! baby and all! I am taking the easy way out and buying a prepared dinner from whole foods.

  • Kendra @ My Full-Thyme Life November 20, 2012, 11:00 am

    Things are coming together nicely!! I love the bowls and I LOVE Home Goods!!! Can’t wait to see your final products. I know they will turn out great!

    Does cooking stress you out? It typically doesn’t for me but when I’m putting together a large meal like you are sometimes it can get hectic. I hope you enjoy every minute and I hope your guests can feel the love with every bite! 🙂

  • Jamie @ StudioEats November 20, 2012, 11:11 am

    I love Homegoods! Almost everything in my apartment is from there 🙂

  • Megan November 20, 2012, 11:13 am

    I love love love your dining room. Purple is my favorite color but I don’t think I have it in me to paint such a prominent room that color- it looks so great though. (I think this every time you have a dining room pic, just never mentioned it).

    I’m not “in charge” of anything this year. I have to work Tues/Wed/Thurs night (I’m an RN) and will be meeting up with my family sometime Friday morning/afternoon and then we are having our celebration on Saturday. I’m sure I”ll help with everything.

  • natalie @ will jog for food November 20, 2012, 11:14 am

    Great menu! I’m a Sweet Potato Casserole Addict 🙂

    It’s the first time away from my family this year so it will only be my husband, his friend, and me. I’m making Roast Turkey, stuffing, sweet potato casserole, brussel sprouts, mashed potatoes, and chocolate chip pecan pie. I’m sure we will have tons of leftovers!

  • Elise @ Expeditions of Elise November 20, 2012, 11:15 am

    Gosh, I can’t believe Thanksgiving is only 2 days away! I’m so excited 😀 My family always has a HUGE group, so we have lots of food.

    Here’s what we have every year:
    -Turkey+gravy and cranberry sauce
    -Dressing patties
    -Mashed potatoes
    -Sweet potato casserole
    -Rolls
    -Lima beans and black-eyed peas
    -PIES
    And here’s what I’m making special:
    -Butternut squash soup
    -Cranberry-orange brussels sprouts from Daily Garnish
    -Salad with dried cranberries and roasted pumpkin seeds

    Can’t wait to dig in!

  • Elisabeth November 20, 2012, 11:24 am

    It all sounds delicious! I’m cooking for our family & we’re having:
    -Turkey
    -Mashed potatoes & gravy
    -Sausage & mushroom dressing (not stuffing 😉 )
    -Baked sweet potatoes
    -Coleslaw
    -Cranberry salad
    -Corn casserole
    -Broccoli cheese rice
    -Rolls with raspberry jam
    -Pumpkin, apple & pecan pies

    Phew! I’m full just thinking about it! 🙂

  • @HilaryFleming November 20, 2012, 11:33 am

    I’m just in charge of making the salad this year. Booyah! I got off pretty easy this year. I’m making some sweet potato casserole for my kids pre-school class thanksgiving dinner tomorrow…other than that, not too stressful. On the topic of having to cook for so many different diet needs, I was just thinking how cool it is that there are so many resources available now. I remember, even 5 years ago, you kind of had to dig and spend money on expensive cookbooks to find recipes to fit all those dietary needs. Now there are so many awesome recipe sites you can find almost anything you need. Pretty cool.

  • Corrie Anne November 20, 2012, 11:52 am

    Is it bad that I have no idea yet? Lol. Trying to tone it down since we are not going back to Minnesota this year so I won’t be cooking for my huge family!

  • Katie @ Peace Love and Oats November 20, 2012, 11:58 am

    My cousin went to culinary school, so she always cooks thanksgiving dinner (with help from her sister and mom). Although this year thu asked that I bring our great aunt Avis’s gooey cinnamon rolls. She used to make them every year for Christmas when I was little, but she passed away 2 Christmases ago, I love making these rolls in her memory. I’m hoping to try a gluten free batch this year!

  • Sarah November 20, 2012, 11:58 am

    I recently read an article that was about calming down the nervous thanksgiving chef. It said something like:

    Really, the turkey is just a big chicken. And everything else is only just mashed up food. It doesn’t even have to look good. So you’re really just roasting a big chicken and mashing up a bunch of other stuff. No big deal.

    Hahaha, I loved thinking of it that way for all you stressed out cooks this year!

  • Nicole@ livingthesweetlifestl.wordpress.com November 20, 2012, 11:59 am

    Home Goods is one of my favorite stores!
    We keep it pretty traditional…Turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls and pies. This is definitely my favorite meal of the year.

  • Bryna November 20, 2012, 12:06 pm

    I just saw some nice white dishes at Costco but I love the texture and variations in your dishes.

    We have about 20 people and the work is all split up. I will be making vegetarian stuffing, the same sweet potato casserole you are (I wanted a different recipe this year), roasted balsamic carrots, deviled eggs with homemade mayo, vegan gravy, and homemade whipping cream. We will also have turkey and a ham, salad, another green (asparagus?), hot pea salad, mashed potatoes, rolls, crudites, and green bean casserole. And apparently some are bringing various pies. Lots of food but my favorite thing about Thanksgiving is cooking with everyone 🙂

  • Amy November 20, 2012, 12:13 pm

    Sounds delicious and I love the dishes! Can I come over for Thanksgiving? hahaha

  • Natalie @ Free Range Human November 20, 2012, 12:41 pm

    Thankfully, I don’t have to make the entire meal. I am contributing sweet potato casserole and homemade cranberry sauce!

  • Lauren November 20, 2012, 12:47 pm

    Where did you get your dining room chairs? Love them!

    • Caitlin November 20, 2012, 12:47 pm

      World Market! Thanks!

  • Katie @ Soulshine and Sassafras November 20, 2012, 12:56 pm

    Looks delish! I’m bring cranberry apple casserole, sweet potato casserole, and pumpkin pie – aka all the sweet stuff!

  • LizW November 20, 2012, 12:59 pm

    I made that vegan pumpkin pie (the classic one that she recommended) for a recent pre-Thanksgiving feast and it was great! The texture wasn’t quite as firm as a traditional pumpkin pie, but the flavor was great. I’m making it again for Thursday 🙂

  • Angie November 20, 2012, 1:12 pm

    I make a very similar sweet potato casserole, but the secret ingredient is corn flakes with the pecans in the topping (no flour). The topping is crispy and delicious. It is everyone’s favorite dish!

    This year it is just my little family – hubby and 4 kids – but the kids insist that I must make the sweet potato casserole!

    Thanks for the links – I may try out the crockpot cranberry sauce.

  • Dennis Murray November 20, 2012, 1:35 pm

    Do you ever worry about the amount of added sugar there is in some recipes? The Sweet potatoes have a cup of added sugar…even if that’s 12 servings that’s still 4 teaspoons of sugar per serving.

    Seems like the taste of the vegetables gets killed with that much sugar.

  • Nessa @ Isle Style Living November 20, 2012, 1:58 pm

    I’m making the crockpot cranberry sauce, too!

    I printed the recipe from Peas and Crayons this weekend and have my ingredients stocked and ready to go.

    Can’t wait to hear how it turns out!

  • Grace @ Grace Dishes November 20, 2012, 2:26 pm

    Your menu sounds divine! I love white serve ware because it allows the dish to shine! It’s the perfect backdrop and I agree, it’s useful year-round!

    I hope you have a wonderful week!

  • Katie @ Talk Less, Say More November 20, 2012, 3:25 pm

    I’m heading to my mom’s cousins house for Thanksgiving which will be a fairly traditional spread. I’m the only vegetarian (& lactose intolerant) so I offered to bring some roasted veggies so that I KNOW I can eat something. I’m actually really looking forward to it and hoping everyone likes it too!

  • Katie November 20, 2012, 4:31 pm

    I love the decor in your dining room! So calming to look at. Your menu sounds awesome. I am going to check out that stuffing recipe. I love getting dishes too! It makes me feel so grown up.

  • Molly @ RDexposed November 20, 2012, 7:04 pm

    I am making rolls. Store-bought bread, rolls, biscuits on a holiday are a no-go!

  • Amanda November 20, 2012, 7:05 pm

    Can I ask why you’re not serving a vegaterian/vegan main course? That pilaf you mentioned is really a side dish…even Angela from OhSheGlows says it is.

    • Caitlin November 20, 2012, 10:26 pm

      Because the real side dishes (POTATOES) are the bests part anyway 🙂

  • Becky November 21, 2012, 1:15 am

    It is my turn to host Thanksgiving dinner this year and have decided to go for easy-peasy dishes found in Holly Clegg’s latest book, “Holly Clegg’s trim&TERRIFIC KITCHEN 101: Secrets to Cooking Confidence.” This book is the “easiest of easy” and I have tested all the recipes ensuring they are simple to make and have to say that they taste delicious. This will definitely make my life so much easier and everyone will think that I am a SUPERSTAR!!

    http://www.hollyclegg.com

  • Cathy November 21, 2012, 12:26 pm

    I just love the color of the walls in your dining room, what colors did you use? Thanks!!

    • Caitlin November 21, 2012, 2:19 pm

      Martha Stewart eggplant 🙂

  • Rebecca November 21, 2012, 12:36 pm

    I found out a couple of days ago that our family is going out for dinner because my mom doesn’t want to cook. =\
    Good thing I had Thanksgiving dinner at school on Saturday! Our neighbor girls invited a bunch of people and it was like full Thanksgiving dinner. So fun.

  • Amber K November 21, 2012, 1:25 pm

    I have to adapt my recipes to be gluten-, dairy-, soy- and corn-free. Oh for the days when everything was fine!

  • stephanie**s November 21, 2012, 2:36 pm

    We are taking the “less” healthy route…………. but it is just going to be sooo delicious!!

    – Roasted Turkey w/turkey gravy.
    – Homemade cranberry sauce
    – Hashbrown casserole
    – Hubbys stuffing
    – Green Bean casserole

    And I just baked two paula deen pumpkin pies last night. It is going to be ALOT of food…. and its just the husband and I this year :-/ we usually spend thanksgiving with my parents but they are visiting family in MI so we are taking advantage of staying home all day and did not want to miss out on the meal itself 🙂 leftovers for dayssssssssss

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) November 21, 2012, 4:17 pm

    Have a great Thanksgiving!

  • Lisa November 22, 2012, 12:13 am

    Sounds like a great holiday menu! I’ll check out those links. I love exploring new healthy recipes. This year my dish I’m bringing is a shaved brussels sprout salad with pecans, dried cranberries, onions, garlic and shallots.

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