Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because my whole family comes together to cook a feast filled with recipes that have been passed down in my family for hundreds of years. I am excited to share some of my favorite nosh that are simple to make and can be dressed up or down!
My Grandma's Famous Pie Crust
Every Thanksgiving, my brother and I used to make pies with our grandma. It is one of my favorite traditions that takes me back to some of my happiest memories cooking in the kitchen with my grandma. Today, my brother makes all of the delicious pies for our Thanksgiving and it is our tradition to make one pie per person so everyone can take some home to have for breakfast!
Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups of sifted AP Flour
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup cold butter
- 5 tablespoons orange juice* the secret ingredient
Sift the flour into a large bowl, add the salt and cubes of cold butter and slowly mix by hand until the butter is pea-sized. Slowly add in the orange juice lightly mixing by hand, this will help keep the pie crust extra flaky. Fill with your favorite filling and bake for the most delicious pie crust you've ever had!
Honeynut Squash & Sage Soup
Honeynut squash is in season right now and I can't get enough of it. Think of it as butternut squash's baby cousin. It is super sweet and creamy and makes for the most delicious Thanksgiving soup. Slice the honeynut squash in half and remove the seeds. Bake with a drizzle of olive oil and pinch of salt on 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until soft. In a large soup pot, sauté 2 chopped sweet onions until golden brown. Add in the honeynut squash, 1 1/2 cups of chicken broth, and salt and pepper to taste. Once it is your preferred consistency, use an immersion blender to mix the soup. Optional toppings are crispy sage, pumpkin seeds, and a dollop of greek yogurt.
Crispy Phyllo Cups with Feta, Pomegranate and Mint
My family and I love snacking as we are cooking and these crispy phyllo cups are also the perfect nosh to impress your guests without spending all day in the kitchen. Fill frozen phyllo cups with feta and bake in the oven for 10 minutes on 350 degrees F. Then top with pomegranate seeds, mint and a drizzle of honey for a delicious nosh bites!
Whipped Ricotta with Honey, Pomegranate, Pistachios & Bagel Chips
This dish is my go-to nosh for every holiday because it is super easy to make, and you can “jeuje it up” with seasonal ingredients. In a standing mixer, whip 32 oz of heavy cream and slowly add in 32 oz of fresh ricotta and salt to taste. Spread the whipped ricotta onto a bowl and drizzle extra virgin olive oil. Then top with pomegranate seeds, pistachios, honey and mint. Serve it with crunchy nosh such as bagel chips or crostini on the side.
The Best Pomegranate Salad Dressing
My grandma used to cook with pomegranate molasses all the time and it adds a decadent sweet richness to any dish. To make this dressing, combine ¼ cup of extra virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon of pomegranate molasses, and salt and pepper to taste. This year we are filling our salad bowl with spicy arugula, little gem lettuce, sliced apples, pomegranate seeds, pistachios, feta, purple cabbage and nigella seeds.
We hope this nosh fills your Thanksgiving with love and we wish you a happy and healthy holiday!
Love, Remi