FMG 2021 thanksgiving menu and guide – vegetarian-friendly dining
Welcome to the inaugural FMG Thanksgiving Menu and Guide! I’m actually really stoked to compile a full throttle food roundup for my favorite holiday. Last year I wasn’t overly serious about this space and lolligagged over any concept until it was too late, but 2021 is my year to fully embrace my foul mouth and everything that goes into it. Perhaps, too, a few dishes that go into your mouth, too.
On Instagram I often share teasers of recipes I develop, so while some of the links currently remain empty, you might catch a preview of a dish to come if you’re clever. I want to have a little bit of fun too and get you guys’ input on your favorite Thanksgiving traditions, foods, tips, and other sorts of crap because I love getting to know how other families operate during the holiday.
Our big day this year involves three! No, I don’t have a child! Sit your ass down! My sister hasn’t celebrated Thanksgiving with us in several years since her move up north, but this year she’s flying down for a week and we get a proper meal with my mom. I never agree to work Thanksgiving since usually it’s a big ole celebration of mom at her house, and with my sister joining us, it’ll feel just a bit more special. And hectic. Might need multiple glasses of wine. Or a cocktail. Or both.
Tablecloth Table runner Flatware Similar dinner & salad plates Appetizer plates
Flute glasses Similar salad bowl Serving tongs
A Few Tips for a Seamless Holiday
For those catering large families, friends, and animals, Thanksgiving might seem a tad more stressful than exciting. I’m here to help you sweat less and enjoy more with a set of tips for removing the frantic and embracing the fun.
#1. Planning, planning, planning!
I am certainly one to diagram a schedule well ahead of an event, since writing concrete ideas down on paper helps me organize what’s necessary sooner rather than later, and what I can put off a bit to prioritize other things. This guide contains day-by-day scheduling so prep is a snap and you’ll feel much more comfortable knowing you’ve done as much ahead of time as you can. I prefer writing things down the old fashioned way, but phone or tablet notes are perfectly fine if that’s your preference.
#2. Divvy up tasks between household members.
If you have independent members in your household, divide the chore list between them so you’re not trapped doing every damn thing yourself. Someone can clean, someone can drive to the store to buy food, someone can be your live-in sous chef, someone can prepare a playlist or entertainment…the list goes on. This might cause some sneers if you have teens or stubborn assholes among your closest allies, but others might find joy in the festivity springing from the preparation. If you need to bribe someone with a brownie, do it.
#3. Grocery shop early.
Pantry staples and alcohol I buy well ahead, think 1-2 weeks, but fresh produce and other perishables are best bought the Monday preceding Thanksgiving. Many folk scramble the day before Thanksgiving for all the essentials, so early shopping prevents a mad dash to the turkey stand and the “shit shit shit I forgot xyz” on Thanksgiving when everything is closed. Likewise, ensure you have all the kitchen gizmos you need for each dish, such as casserole pans and knives and the like.
#4. Test your recipes ahead of time.
Make any tweaks you want or need before the big day so you’re not left with a dry slab of flour instead of fluffy rolls. Thankfully, I’ve compiled my tried-and-true dishes so you can sigh a big lengthy bellow of a sigh knowing you’re largely covered.
#5. Eat simply the week of.
The knowledge of an all-day cooking spree might repel you from standing before your grand oven in the days leading up to Thanksgiving, so gather some easy staple recipes that take less time and fewer ingredients and store up that potential energy for a springy bonanza on Thursday.
Some suggestions:
One Pot Creamy Potato Vegetable and Sage Dumpling Soup
Sheetpan Glazed Coffee Balsamic Salmon and Crispy Brussels Sprouts
Saucy Coconut Pumpkin Kale and Chickpea Curry (with or without the acorn squash bowl)
Greek Salmon and Kale Orzo Caesar Salad with Whipped Feta Dressing
#6. Clean as you go.
If you have the time to do so between cook-offs, wipe up as much of the counter and load/handwash as many of the dishes as possible. I’m sure this is my service industry voice intruding. Segmenting your cleaning tasks helps with end of the night bustle so you can spend some time eating that extra slice of pie in peace rather than hunched over the sink at risk of snapping your lower back in half.
#7. Do not skimp on the alcohol.
Honestly, buy more than you think you need, maybe not a cellarful but at least an extra bottle or two of wine to accommodate thirsty mouths and save a glass or two for yourself.
#8. Set the table.
I recommend doing so the Monday prior so the scene is created and you don’t have to maneuver among plates and cups the night of to find the tableware you want. Set some extra barriers, like place mats or kitchen towels, atop the main decor to prevent spills from soiling your pretty tabletop.
#9. Get some exercise
If you expect guests to swarm around your abode most of the day, take some time for yourself in the morning to go for a walk, a jog, a swim, whatever you most fancy. Some time outdoors can help clear or organize your head and give you an opportunity to start off the occasion on the right foot instead of in a frantic tizzy.
Thanksgiving Menu
Alright, now to the fun part: the noms.
Breakfast
I’d say we break Thanksgiving into two main meals: breakfast and dinner, with lots of appetizers and nibbles in between. A cozy munch while watching the Macy’s Parade is quintessential holiday for me. Perhaps you can eek out a new tradition with these delicious ideas.
Baked Hot Chocolate French Toast
Drinks
A sangria is a perfect imbibement for larger gatherings, and the old fashioned can also be modified as a pitcher cocktail. Need a nightcap? The third drink is certainly a sweet indulgence, and so so so so *takes breath* sooooo good.
Cranberry Pomegranate Mulled Wine Sangria
Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew White Russian
Appetizers
You can certainly convert appetizers into an al la carte lunch, that’s how my family typically rolls.
Cinnamon Roasted Pear and Blue Cheese Toasts with Thyme Honey (coming soon!)
*because I can’t resist* Festive Holiday Cheeseboard
Main Courses
I do not consume meat myself (hi, if you’re new here, I do not consume meat myself) but do eat a good deal of fish. The mains swing either full vegetarian or pescatarian, depending on which you might prefer or if you have guests with certain leanings. Take your pick!
Rosemary Pesto and Goat Cheese Stuffed Salmon Roast
Roasted Butternut Squash Alla Vodka and Cheese Stuffed Shells
Sides
I don’t know about y’all, but this asshole over here is all about hoarding the side dishes. I honestly could omit a main entirely, but that wouldn’t be very food bloggy of me, would it?
Shaved Broccoli and Kale Salad with Cider Dijon Vinaigrette
or…Sweet n’ Savory Butternut Squash Apple Salad with Pepita Granola Clusters (can sub sweet potatoes!)
Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Potatoes Au Gratin
Herby Cranberry Sausage Croissant Stuffing
Parmesan Roasted Acorn Squash with Pomegranate Honey
Salted Maple Butter Brioche Rolls
Dessert
After a full day of treating yoself…Treat yoself, fool.
Irish Coffee Cupcakes with Whiskey Chocolate Frosting
Prepare for Takeoff (err, Guests)
The Week Before
Inventory kitchen. E.g., do you have a potato masher, salad tongs, sharpened knives, enough platters, etc. Order or go out and purchase needed gadgets.
Send out invitations *confirm guest list by the Saturday before Thanksgiving
Sunday
Give the house a good cleaning
Make cute placards/nametags for spots at the table
Monday
Set the table
Grocery shop, including wine and alcohol
Bake the pumpkin pie, chill in the fridge
Toss the snack mix together and seal tightly
Make the thyme honey for the toasts
Tuesday
Bake the cupcakes
Prep the stuffing and chill
Prep the brioche rolls and maple butter, chill
Roast and puree the butternut squash and prep the stuffed shells and chill
Prepare the au gratin and chill
Brew and chill coffee for the White Russian
Wednesday
Mull the wine for sangria and chill in the pitcher
Prepare the maple sage old fashioned, omitting garnishes
Prepare the French toast and chill until morning
Assemble the broccoli salad, including vinaigrette, and chill
Make granola and roast butternut squash for the second salad
Slice the acorn squash and prepare the pomegranate honey
Bake the brownies
Frost the cupcakes
Set out the eggs for the pancakes
Thursday
…In the morning
Bake the French toast
Make the cider pancakes
Slice cheeses and assemble the cheeseboard
Roast the pears and assemble the crostini
…In the afternoon/upon invasion
Roast the squash and assemble
Set out the squash, toasts, and cheeseboard + additional snack mix
Bake the stuffed shells, au gratin, and stuffing
Set out old fashioned and sangria pitchers
…Just before dinner
Roast the salmon and vegetables
Bake the rolls
Arrange the food on a table probably too small for the occasion (calling myself out here)
Eat and drink everything, then set out desserts and eat more.
Truly, the most important facet of Thanksgiving is enjoying the company you’ve accumulated, the dining experience, and the environment you created. Whether two, few, or many, family or friends or both, the real joy of the holiday is sharing.
Tried any recipe or tip from this guide out? Leave a comment below with your thoughts, and don’t forget to come say hi on Instagram and show me what you made!
