Our Thanksgiving Menu

We're having Thanksgiving at our house tomorrow.  Though, it's just a small group (4 adults, 2 kids, and 1 newborn) so it's not a big deal.  

However, Thanksgiving is such a fabulous day, and I can't wait for the fun we'll have.  We plan to run a Turkey Trot (just a 5k this year since I just had a babe... tho my hubs is grateful it isn't the 10k), watch football, eat lots of food, play games (Hand and Foot is in the plans for tomorrow), and spend time with the people we love.  Sounds awesome, huh?!  

My Father In-Law, okay and my MIL as well as husband, LOVES this Spinach Black Bean Dip.  It's been requested for our appetizer.  Instead of cheese and crackers we're going healthy, delicious, and addicting dip.  Have you had it yet?  

For the official Thanksgiving Dinner we are somewhat traditional and nothing too crazy.  However, we do have a healthier twist.  As much as I love mashed potatoes and homemade rolls my In-Laws are trying to steer clear of the extra carbs/starches so no potatoes or rolls this year for us.  

Though, there will of course be having vegetables.  I know everyone loves their Green Bean Casseroles, but I'm opting for a bit healthier aka more simple vegetables.  We're having Roasted Butternut Squash, b/c I do love me some squash, as well as steamed broccoli.  

We of course will be having some homemade cranberry sauce.  My Mother In-Law makes some absolutely delicious cranberry sauce.  One of these days I'll get the recipe, make it, and share it with you.  However, for now I just let her make it. :)  

Homemade Stuffing/Dressing, even with the carbs, is necessary for Thanksgiving, or at least it is necessary for leftovers.  We'll be making some of this basic stuffing just minutes before we put everything on the table.  

This year I wanted to try something new in the Turkey department.  We decided a Turkey Breast is plenty big for us (8lbs was the smallest I could get at the store so we'll have TONS of leftovers).  We, aka mostly me, decided it would be fun to attempt the Crock-Pot Turkey Breast this year.  The link provides a basic recipe that I'm going to try, though I will be seasoning it a bit different. 

I personally think it's hard to fail when cooking with a crock-pot.  Therefore, my only fear is the turkey breast not fitting in our crock-pot.  It may be close.  

Above when I said we were trying to watch our carbs I really meant we wanted to have plenty of carb wiggle room for dessert.  Dessert is a serious manner in my house.  I love baking desserts so I sometimes go a bit overboard.  

I want to have all of these desserts, but I guess we'll see how much my husband lets me bake.  To clarify, it's not that he is opposed to me baking, but he knows he has to eat the majority of them (I only like a slice).  Therefore, he usually tries to limit me for his health.  

Pumpkin Crunch is way too delicious not to have.  Pumpkin goodness with a a cobbler/pecan pie topping. Yum!  

Pumpkin Cheesecake is also way too good to pass up.  It's a light cheesecake with the perfect amount of pumpkin to make it perfectly festive and appropriate.  

And of course PIE.  Pie is a must for thanksgiving, and this Easy Homemade Pie Crust is awesome and everyone should have this recipe for Pie Crust.  A perfectly flaky crust for every pie.

As far as kinds of pie goes, I'm thinking pecan pie or a chocolate pecan pie.  However, my MIL may be making a buttermilk, cherry, or peach pie as well.  

Do you think we'll have enough desserts? :)

There it is.  That's our Thanksgiving Menu.  It's sounding pretty fabulous to me.  I can't wait!  

What are you having?  How are you cooking your turkey?