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Modern Thanksgiving: A Twist on Thanksgiving Classics

As your November calendar fills up with more and more Thanksgiving gatherings, you’re probably wondering, “What am I going to cook this year?” We get it; by that third meal, the same Thanksgiving dishes begin to get repetitive. So, if you are looking to switch it up this year, why not try some of our favorite traditional Thanksgiving foods with a modern twist? These recipes will have your friends and family coming back for more, and they will be thankful that they showed up.

Consider adding one or all of these recipes to your Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving tables this year.

Not only are they all delicious, but they also provide many health benefits through the use of Spice World Ready-to-Use Minced Garlic, Ginger, and Chopped Easy Onion. The holiday season is a peak time for sickness. Ginger helps clear congestion and fights bacteria; garlic may lessen the frequency of colds while keeping your heart healthy; and onion aids in digestive health and provides anti-inflammatory effects. All three of these ingredients are high in antioxidants and can benefit your immune system this time of year. Now let’s get cooking!

Garlic Herb Slow Cooker Turkey Breast

It is not Thanksgiving without turkey on the table. Whether you’re the one always in charge of the turkey or this is your first time, there is always pressure for it to be cooked to perfection. This Garlic Herb Slow Cooker Turkey Breast cooks on its own and is guaranteed to not be dry, each and every time. Here’s what you’ll need:

Ingredients: 

Garlic Herb Butter Ingredients: 

  • 10 Tbsp of unsalted butter, softened 
  • 1½  tsp salt 
  • ½ tsp black pepper 
  • 4 tsp Spice World Ready-To-Use Minced Garlic 
  • 1 Tbsp finely chopped fresh sage 
  • 1 Tbsp finely chopped rosemary leaves 
  • 1 Tbsp finely chopped thyme leaves 
  • 1 Tbsp finely chopped parsley

Garlic Butter Gravy Ingredients: 

  • Chicken broth/stock for topping up (if required) 
  • ⅓ cup flour 
  • ½ tsp dark soy sauce

Turkey Cooking Instructions: 

  • Mix the garlic, herb, and butter ingredients together.
  • Pat the turkey breast dry and use a small knife to cut a slit in the skin. Slide an upside-down tablespoon between the flesh and skin all over the turkey to separate.
  • Slather ⅔ of the butter mixture under the skin. Use the remaining butter to cover the surface, including the underside.
  • Season the skin with ½ teaspoon of both salt and pepper.
  • Place the halved garlic and onion in the slow cooker, then place the turkey on top with the skin side up. Top with thyme and rosemary.
  • Cook in the slow cooker for 6 hours on low. Check the internal temperature at 4 hours, and cook until the temperature reads 75°C/165°F in the middle.
  • Remove the turkey and place it on a baking tray to reserve the juices. Cover loosely with foil and rest for 20 minutes.
  • To crisp the turkey, remove the herbs, drizzle with oil, and place under a broiler or grill on high for 5–10 minutes or until the skin is crispy and bronze.
  • Serve with gravy.

Gravy Cooking Instructions: 

  • Strain the juice from the slow cooker into a bowl. Press the juice out of the onion and garlic. If the contents measure less than 2.5–3 cups of liquid, top off with store-bought broth or stock.
  • When the liquid settles, spoon off ¼ cup of the fat or butter from the surface.
  • Place it in a saucepan over medium heat. Once it bubbles, add the flour and mix for 1 minute.
  • Add the remainder of the juice to the saucepan. Stir until there are no lumps; use a whisk if needed. Simmer for 3–5 minutes until thickened.
  • Add dark soy, pepper, and salt to taste.

Easy Onion Lentil Meatballs

Between the meats, potatoes, and pies, every table is in need of some veggies. While these Easy Onion Lentil Meatballs might not look like a traditional vegetable, they are a hearty dish that will pair perfectly with mashed potatoes, turkey, and more. These “meatballs” are wholesome, filling, and easy to make. You’ll definitely want to make some room at the table for these!

Ingredients: 

  • ¾ cup dried green, brown, or French lentils 
  • 1½ cups low-sodium vegetable broth or chicken broth 
  • 2 tsp olive oil 
  • ½ cup Spice World Ready-To-Use Chopped Easy Onion
  • 1 cup shredded carrots 
  • 2 tsp Spice World Ready-To-Use Minced Garlic 
  • ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats or quick-cooking oats 
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley 
  • 1½ Tbsp tomato paste 
  • 1 tsp dried oregano 
  • ½ tsp kosher salt 
  • ¼ tsp black pepper 
  • 1 large egg

Cooking Instructions: 

  • Measure the lentils in a colander or strainer and pick out any shriveled lentils or small pieces of rock or debris. Rinse well under cool water and drain.
  • Add the lentils to a medium saucepan with the vegetable broth. Bring to a rapid simmer over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to low simmer with a few small bubbles. Let them gently simmer for 20–30 minutes, until they are tender.
  • Make sure they do not dry out by constantly keeping lentils barely covered with liquid while simmering. Add more water if the liquid has been absorbed; add more water and continue to cook. Drain off any excess liquid and set it aside.
  • Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-low heat. Once hot, add the onion and cook until the onion is translucent and lightly browned, 6–8 minutes. Stir in the carrots and cook for another 2 minutes, then stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 additional minute.
  • Place the oats and parsley in the bottom of a food processor fitted with a steel blade, then pulse a few times to begin breaking up the oats. Add the cooked lentils, onion mixture, tomato paste, oregano, salt, and pepper. Pulse a few times to start combining the mixture, then crack in the egg. Pulse a few more times until the mixture is combined, but the lentils still have some texture. Set aside and let rest for 10 minutes, or refrigerate overnight.
  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper, then coat the paper with nonstick spray. Roll the lentil mixture into balls that are roughly 1 ½ inches across, about the size of a golf ball. Arrange them in a single layer on the baking sheet, mist the tops with nonstick spray, and continue baking for 8–10 minutes, until the meatballs are browned and lightly crisp.

Ginger Spiced Cranberry Sauce

If you need a quick addition to your feast, this Ginger Spiced Cranberry Sauce comes together in just 20 minutes! It’s delicious and will add new flavor and a pop of color to the traditional table. It’s zesty ginger flavor works fantastically with the tartness of the cranberry to create a perfect bite alongside turkey and stuffing.

Ingredients: 

  • 12 ounces of cranberries, fresh or frozen
  • ¾ cup sugar 
  • ½ cup water 
  • ½ orange, juiced 
  • 1 tsp orange zest
  • ½ Tbsp Spice World Ready-To-Use Minced Ginger
  • 1 cinnamon stick 
  • 1 star anise 
  • 3 green cardamom pods 
  • A pinch of salt

Cooking Instructions: 

  • Rinse cranberries and remove any bruised or bad berries.
  • Add water, sugar, orange juice, and orange zest in a saucepan on medium heat. Stir until the sugar has completely dissolved.
  • Add in the cranberries and continue to simmer until they burst, about 7–10 minutes. After they burst, add the salt, minced ginger, cinnamon stick, star anise, and cardamom pods.
  • Continue to simmer until it reaches the desired consistency and texture. About 5 minutes for chunky cranberry sauce or 10+ minutes for jammy sauce
  • Remove the cinnamon stick, star anise, and cardamom pods.
  • Serve chilled.

With these Thanksgiving recipes, there’s no need to worry if your dish is delicious; instead, you can spend time sharing memories with your loved ones across the table. Each of these meals and sides has a healthy bonus and may even become a new yearly tradition in your family. For more tasty recipes that you can serve while entertaining during the holidays, be sure to visit our website. Happy Thanksgiving!

Internal Links

Spice World Inc.

Spice World Ready-to-Use Minced Garlic

Spice World Ready-to-Use Chopped Easy Onion

Spice World Ready-to-Use Minced Ginger

Spice World Fresh Garlic

External Links:

Friendsgiving

Garlic Herb Slow Cooker Turkey

Lentil Meatballs

Spiced Ginger Cranberry Sauce

Spice World, Inc.

8101 Presidents Dr

Orlando, FL 32809

(407) 851-9432

https://spiceworldinc.com/

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