Hi Cooking Moms, Dads & Friends,

TGIF! I am so excited. I get to see my daughter later today! She’s a senior at the University of Minnesota. I haven’t seen her in months! I can hardly wait. I know Thanksgiving is going to be a lot different this year. There will just be a few of us at the table but I’m feeling so blessed to have both my kiddos, Ireland and Riley home for the holidays. I will be missing the rest of the family, but it’s more important to be safe! My plan is to make this Thanksgiving easy, breezy and delicious.

I’ve decided to get a turkey. It's not going be a huge one. I’m thinking 12 to 14 pounds. Follow me and watch me LIVE on Facebook this week. I’ll show you how I make the Perfect Roast Turkey. I’ll also share my secrets, tips and tricks to make it the best turkey ever! I’ll make some last minute easy sides too. Hoping I can even get my daughter Ireland to join me live in my kitchen this week!

We eat dinner a little later on Thanksgiving so we can spend the day snacking and watching football. We also play some serious card games. My family just a little bit competitive! LOL! I’m dreaming of all the pre-dinner appetizers and munchies. Confession…I always go a bit overboard on those! I just can’t help myself.

I’d be the dog house if I didn’t make Cranberry Meatballs. They are always a WINNER! So easy too. I just throw it all in the slow cooker and a few hours later we’re ready to dive in!

I always love to serve a big platter of bright colored veggies and dip. My Homemade Dill Dip is the BEST EVER! Plus, you can make it up to 4 days ahead. Love that! I usually double the recipe. That way we’ve always got dip on hand. It keeps in your fridge for about a week.

I live in Wisconsin and I’m a cheesehead. My Hot Swiss Dip Almond Dip is so darn good! If you pick up Swiss cheese I bet you’ve got everything in your kitchen to make it right now. This is also a make ahead. Just bake it when you are ready. Warm out of the oven it’s heavenly! Click Appetizers for more recipes sure to be a huge hit!

Now on to the dinner. I like to start out Thanksgiving dinner with a beautiful salad. I won’t be with my mom this Thanksgiving but she’ll be in my heart! My mom’s favorite is a fresh Cranberry and Grape Salad. With a little whipped cream on top it’s so pretty! Don’t you think?

My Poached Pear Salad with Maple Mustard Dressing is another holiday fave. I might just make both! Thanksgiving dishes are all so brown that I love to add some bright fresh colors and flavors! Click Salads for more of my favorite holiday salad recipes.

For dinner, if you are thinking ham, make it extra special with my Brown Sugar and Mustard Ham Glaze! It’s AMAZING!

On the side, the kids will love my Mac ’n Cheese Minis or Southern Style Mac and Cheese. Both are crazy easy, creamy and cheesy.

If you want change up the green beans this year, add some more crunch with my Crunchy Green Bean Casserole! Or, go fresh with my Green Beans with Red Peppers and Almonds.

Looking for ways to use the leftovers? I’ve got you covered. I’m the queen of casseroles! After Thanksgiving I always make my Terrific Turkey Tetrazzini. It’s super good and freezes great too. Click Casseroles for more ideas!

Click Slow Cooker for loads of delicious recipes. Click Sides and Dinner for more of my holiday faves.

For dessert, my kiddos don’t love pumpkin pie. What’s wrong with them? LOL! How gorgeous are these Cranberry Orange Cupcakes for an alternative? Super easy too because they start with a boxed cake mix.

No time to bake this year? No big deal. Pick up some pudding and cookies and layer up these Ginger Snap Pudding Parfaits. Get the kids in the kitchen to help crush the cookies and put them together. What fun! Click Desserts for more of my tantalizing holiday treats.

Join Me Next Year for Some AMAZING Culinary Trips!

We had great news this week about vaccines for the virus. I’m hopeful it will be safe to travel again by next summer! I’m super excited for my next trip in June 2021 to gorgeous Mackinac Island, Michigan. We’ll catch the ferry over to the Island and then check into the absolute best hotel! The Mission Point Resort was even voted one of the best hotels in the Midwest! We’ll spend 3 nights. We’ll have plenty of time to experience it all. We can take a carriage ride around the island, rent bikes, and take a sunset cocktail cruise. We’ll learn how to make Mackinac Island fudge at one of the island's best fudge shops. If you like wine, you’ll want to enjoy a 5-course gourmet wine dinner! We’ll be there when the lilacs are in full bloom, too! It’s going to be magical! The trip is already booking up! Click on Join The Cooking Mom on a Trip to Mackinac Island to read my blog post with details, pictures and pricing for the trip.

In September 2021, if it’s safe to travel I’m planning another big trip! Have you always wanted to go on a river cruise through Europe? It’s been on my bucket list! We’ll take a trip to Germany for Oktoberfest and a top-of-the-line river cruise through Germany, Austria, and Switzerland! In 2022, I’m working on trips to Ireland, Italy and more! To find out more about my other upcoming trips, click Culinary Vacations with The Cooking Mom. I’d also love to hear where you’d like to go, so email me at info@thecookingmom.com!

Order My Cookbooks for The Holidays!

If you like my recipes, I think you will love my cookbooks. Order one for yourself and they make great gifts too! Both cookbooks are filled with nearly 200 unique recipes. They're available on Amazon. Click Amy's Books on Amazon to order.

Watch Me on TV in Chicago this Weekend!

Looking for more recipes and ideas for Thanksgiving? Watch me on TV this week! I’ll be cooking LIVE from my kitchen on TV in Chicago Sunday morning. On Wednesday morning I’ll be on Fox 6 Wakeup in Milwaukee too!

Looking for more recipes and ideas for Thanksgiving? Watch me this week LIVE on Facebook! Just follow me to see when I’m cooking LIVE in my kitchen. You can always see what I'm up to on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Check out my videos on YouTube, too. Follow me!

I hope you all have wonderful weekend. Stay safe and as I always say cook up some memories!

Take care,
Amy, The Cooking Mom

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