fun thanksgiving recipes & ideas

Happy J Monday!

Just wanted to pop in real quick and share

some fun Thanksgiving recipes and ideas

that'll sure make your holidays a little more fun! 

Let's start off with this yummy Brussels Sprout recipe.

I don't know about you guys,

but my family LOVES Brussels Sprouts

and these have a little kick to them.  

Fried Brussels Sprouts with Spicy Orange Honey

2 Tbsp. honey

1 tsp. orange zest

¼ tsp. ground cayenne pepper

1 lb. brussels sprouts, trimmed, cut in half and very dry

Kosher salt

Oil for frying

1.   In a bowl whisk together honey, orange zest and cayenne pepper; set aside.

2.   Line a plate with a few layers of paper towels; set aside.

3.   Heat at least 3” of oil to 375°F in a heavy bottomed pan over medium heat. Fry Brussels sprouts in small batches, 3-4 minutes, until deeply golden brown. Drain on prepared plate; sprinkle with kosher salt.

4.   Transfer to serving dish and drizzle with honey.

Apple cider sangria? Yes, Please!

Rosemary Infused Apple Cider Mimosa

     3 cups fresh pressed apple cider

     2 sprigs (5”) fresh rosemary

     Zest from 1 orange

     1 bottle dry sparkling wine, chilled

     Additional rosemary, if desired

1.   Bring cider to a simmer in a 1 quart sauce pan over medium heat. Add rosemary and orange zest. Allow to steep for 20 minutes and then transfer to a container and refrigerate until cold or overnight. Strain before serving.

2.   Fill champagne flute with equal parts apple cider and sparkling wine. Garnish with rosemary sprigs if desired.

Here’s a fun recipe for Thanksgiving leftovers…

Waffle Stuffing Stacks

2 Tbsp. butter

1 box (6 oz.) stuffing mix

3 cups hot mashed potatoes

1 cup hot turkey gravy

1½ cups water

1.   In 2 quart saucepan, heat water and butter heat until boiling. Stir in stuffing mix; cover. Remove from heat. Let stand 5 minutes.

2.   Meanwhile, brush waffle iron with vegetable oil; heat waffle iron.

3.   Drop stuffing by ¼ cups onto hot waffle iron. Close cover. Cook 8-15 minutes or until golden brown and beginning to crisp. Remove from waffle iron with nonstick utensil. Repeat with remaining stuffing (may need to stir 1-2 tablespoons additional water into stuffing if crumbly).

4.   While remaining waffles bake, keep waffles warm in single layer of baking sheet in low oven.

5.   Serve each waffle with ¼ cup mashed potatoes and a spoonful of gravy.

This game’s a great way to keep

the crowd busy while you’re finishing up in the kitchen… 

Cranberry Relay

A super-easy game for all-ages:

Divide guests into two teams and set up a station at either end of a room (or outside) with two bowls and a tablespoon at each station. Fill one of the bowls at each station with about a cup of fresh raw cranberries.

Each player must carry three cranberries on a tablespoon to the opposing station without dropping any berries; if they drop one, they must start over. The first team to empty their cranberry bowl wins!

Gratitude Journals

If you’re looking for a great party favor or hostess gift, gratitude journals make the perfect gift. These make the perfect keepsake long after the holidays. These are a few of the pretty ones that are available on the Ciao Blog Shop!

I also have some new Thanksgiving and Holiday items listed, so be sure to check those out too! 

ciao! fabiana

1-4 photo & recipe credit: Kroger