Make it a Happy Thanksgiving
With Recipes and Table Settings Sure to Delight
Are you ready to take your holiday hosting to the next level? Good. This month I'm sharing some of my tried and true tips to make hosting (or helping with) your family's Thanksgiving dinner more blissful than stressful. From drinks and dessert to a gorgeous table setting, you'll be the talk of your social and family circles this Holiday season.
Deviled Eggs
INGREDIENTS
12 large eggs
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tsp yellow mustard
Pinch of garlic salt
Pinch of pepper
Paprika (optional)
Fresh parsley (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
In a large saucepan, cover the eggs with cold water and boil on medium-high heat for 12 minutes.
Once the eggs are done, carefully spoon them out of the saucepan and place them in an ice bath for 10 minutes.
Once cooled, carefully crack the egg shells and peel them completely, then cut each egg in half lengthwise and empty the cooked yolks into a medium-sized bowl.
Take a fork and mash a part the egg yolks, then combine the mayonnaise, mustard, garlic salt, and pepper and mix until smooth.
Pipe or spoon the filling into the egg whites.
For added luxury, sprinkle paprika and fresh parsley on top and serve.
*Pro tip - if you don't have a piping bag, you can use a sandwich bag and just cut a small piece of the corner off to pipe the filling*
Strawberry Cream Pie
INGREDIENTS
Crust
- 1 1/2 cups crushed graham crackers
- 5 tbsp butter, melted
Filling
- 2 8oz blocks cream cheese, room temp
- 2 cups heavy cream + 1 tbsp
- 2/3 cups sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 carton strawberries, sliced in halves
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 375°F.
In a small bowl, mix the crushed graham crackers and melted butter until a crumby, moist mixture forms. Then gently press into the bottoms and sides of a pie dish.
Bake for 10 minutes. Set aside to completely cool, and turn off the oven.
In a medium bowl, beat the cream with an electric mixture until it holds a firm peak. Set aside.
In a separate larger bowl, mix the cream cheese, vanilla, and sugar until smooth and creamy.
Fold in about 1/3 of the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture to lighten it, and then add the remaining cream until it's incorporated and smooth.
Spoon filling into the cooled pie crust and evenly spread it into an even layer.
Layer the sliced strawberries in overlapping rows on top of the cream.
* For a luxurious addition, melt some chocolate and swirl it on top of the strawberries *
Stick the pie in the fridge for a few hours and then slice and enjoy!
The table setting is nearly as important as the menu. (Even Mac'n Cheese seems fancy when you put it on fine china, not that I'm suggesting you forego the traditional Thanksgiving fare for something much easier... ;)
I love this particular setting because of its simple elegance. The mixed styles create an eclectic feel and will remind your guests of yesteryear, bringing warm familiarity and happy memories along with it.
To you and yours, have a wonderful Thanksgiving!