Tag: Thanksgiving

Roasted Pumpkin Sage Soup

Pumpkin season is in full swing, and this pumpkin soup is the perfect first course for any meal. Use a hollowed out pumpkin as a bowl for a beautiful presentation.

The aroma of roasted pumpkins and sage smells like everything I love about Thanksgiving – warmth, comfort, family and friends.

If you can’t find sugar or pumpkin pie pumpkins, acorn squash or butternut would work fine it it’s place. This soup can be made ahead and reheated when ready to serve.

I went pumpkin picking a few weeks ago and and had so many sugar pumpkins, I knew I was going to use some as bowls. Wouldn’t this be beautiful on your Thanksgiving table! Completely optional, but if you want to do this, look for small pumpkins, about 2-1/4 to 2-1/2 lbs, otherwise your bowls will hold too much soup. To make the bowls, I followed this method^[1] only I roasted them 15 minutes longer. You can do this a day ahead, then heat in the oven before serving to keep your soup warm. I actually washed mine after using and they still look good.

Roasted Pumpkin Sage Soup
gordon-ramsay-recipe.com
Servings: 5 • Size: a little under 1-3/4 cup • Old Points: 2 pts • Points+: 3
Calories: 137.5 • Fat: 3 g • Carb: 25 g • Fiber: 7 g • Protein: 6 g • Sugar: 9 g
Sodium: 459 mg (without salt)

Ingredients:

2 medium (6 lbs total) sugar pumpkins or pumpkin pie pumpkins
1 tbsp butter (olive oil for dairy-free)
3/4 cup shallots, diced
3 cloves garlic, chopped
4 cups fat free, low sodium chicken broth (vegetarians can use vegetable stock)
1 tbsp fresh sage, plus more for garnish
salt and fresh pepper to taste
reduced fat sour cream for garnish, (optional)

Directions:

Heat the oven to 400°F. Using a heavy, sharp knife, cut the pumpkins in half. Scoop out seeds and place on a baking sheet; bake for 1 – 1-1/2 hours.

When the pumpkin is cooked and cool enough to handle, use a spoon to scoop out the flesh. This should make about 5 cups.

Add butter to a large pot or Dutch oven, on medium heat; add shallots and sauté until tender, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook an additional minute. Add pumpkin and broth to the pot, along with sage, salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Simmer, covered for about 15 minutes.

Blend in a blender or immersion blender and blend the soup until smooth.

(Optional) Garnish with light sour cream and sage. Makes 8 1/2 cups.

References

^{^} this method (www.thegraphicweekly.com)

Incoming search terms:

Brussels Sprouts with Warm Bacon Dressing and the Holiday Side Dish Dilemma

As I enjoyed this very tasty Brussels sprouts with warm
bacon dressing recipe, I was reminded Thanksgiving side dish decision time is
rapidly approaching. It’s that annual dilemma where we’re forced to choose five
or six recipes among hundreds of potentially awesome options.

What makes this decision so tough is that you want things
that are traditional and comforting, but at the same time, want to keep the
menu fresh and interesting. You love those buttery mashed potatoes, and yet
you’ve wanted to make twice-baked potatoes for years. You always make Grandma’s
chestnut stuffing, but that spicy cornbread version you saw on Pinterest sure
looks amazing. What do you do?

Do what I do; keep the starchy cornerstones classic, and
switch up the vegetable sides instead. Go ahead and do your favorite and
familiar potato, stuffing, and gravy recipe; but when it comes to tired old
dishes like green bean casserole, or peas and carrots, let your freak flag fly.

As long as you have a few comfort food favorites around,
people will forgive a little experimentation, and this creative, un-cooked
Brussels sprouts recipe would fit the bill. I love the contrast between the
raw, crunchy vegetable and the rich, smoky, sweet and sour dressing. This would
do any turkey proud.

While I decided to go raw this time, you can certainly turn
this into a hot side by giving it a quick, stir-fry in a large skillet. Just a
minute or two, until it starts to wilt, and you’re good to go. Anyway, I’m not
sure if I made your side dish selection simpler or more complicated by showing
you this new and exciting offering, but I’m sure you’ll figure it out. You
always do. Enjoy!

Ingredients for 4-6 servings:
1 1/4 pound Brussels sprouts (will make about 1 lb. trimmed
and sliced)

1 tbsp vegetable oil

4 oz bacon, sliced

2 tbsp brown sugar

1/3 cup cider vinegar

1 lemon juiced

salt and pepper to taste

pinch of cayenne

Incoming search terms:

Garlic Sweet Potato Mash

Sweet potatoes are often smothered in sugar and topped with more sugar, but this savory version will surprise you and your loved ones and keep them coming back for more!

Need a few good reasons to pass on plain old potatoes and get sweet on sweet potatoes instead? These orange tubers are one of the top food sources of vitamin A, which helps protect your peepers. It also contains vitamins C and B-6, fiber, copper and potassium.

Pair this with chicken, Salisbury Steak,^[1] Pork Chops^[2], or Turkey Meatloaf^[3]. Double or triple this recipe and add it to your Thanksgiving menu^[4].

Store sweet potatoes in a cool, dry, dark place and they’ll stay fresh for several weeks. Sweet indeed!

Garlic Sweet Potato Mash
gordon-ramsay-recipe.com
Servings: 5 • Size: 3/4 cup • Old Points: 3 pts • Points+: 4 pts
Calories: 151 • Fat: 3.5 g • Carb: 27 g • Fiber: 3 g • Protein: 3 g
• Sugar: 1 g
Sodium: 27 mg (without salt)

Ingredients:

2 lbs (4 medium) sweet potatoes, peeled & cubed
1 tbsp butter
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 cup 1% milk
2 tbsp light sour cream
salt and fresh cracked ground pepper, to taste

Directions:

In a large pot boil sweet potatoes in salted water until tender, drain in a colander.

Meanwhile, melt butter and sauté garlic until lightly golden. Return potatoes to the pan, add milk and sour cream; mash until smooth and creamy. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.

Nutritional information for sweet potatoes provided by Heather K Jones^[5], RD (aka The Diet P.I.).

References

^{^} Salisbury Steak, (www.gordon-ramsay-recipe.com)
^{^} Pork Chops (www.gordon-ramsay-recipe.com)
^{^} Turkey Meatloaf (www.gordon-ramsay-recipe.com)
^{^} Thanksgiving menu (www.gordon-ramsay-recipe.com)
^{^} Heather K Jones (www.heatherkjones.com)