While writing this blog I realized, Thanksgiving is a lot of work for those of us who cook and host! I make a LOT of different dishes, but that’s what this day is about. A smorgasbord of meats and side dishes that we eat with family while we watch football. Then we fall asleep on the couch or living room floor because we have too much itis to make it to a bed.

These are the dishes I’ve grown up eating in my family on Thanksgiving until one day I proudly took the torch that was passed to me and made them my own. I think I’ve done well over the years because I can name which family member would be devastated by the omission of any ONE of these dishes.

Some of these dishes are traditional to the Thanksgiving holiday, some are traditional to my Jamaican heritage and some are just delicious. Can’t go wrong with any of them.

So whether your hosting Thanksgiving this year, taking something to family’s house or going to Friendsgiving, pick a dish or two below, or make them all. I promise you they’re all easy to make and my family can verify that they’re all delicious!

Once you’ve picked which dishes you want to make this year, avoid the weekend rush and head to the grocery store, list in hand, and stock up! I’ll have the recipes up and ready for you later this week, with plenty of time to get ready for the big day.

Stay tuned to my instagram (@YolandeKelly) for step by step videos, tips and pointers from now until Thanksgiving Day. Feel free to DM me an questions you have while shopping or cooking and be sure to tag me and @MommiNation with pics of your dish!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Yoles

The Turkey:

Turkey Brine:

Water

Apple Juice

Apple Slices

Coarse Sea Salt

Peppercorns

Fried Turkey:

Peanut Oil

Salt

Pepper

Granulated Garlic

 

Sweet and Sour Salmon:

Salmon

1 each red, yellow, green bell pepper

Sweet and Sour sauce

Soy Sauce

Coarse Sea Salt

Granulated Garlic

Olive Oil

Butter

 

Sweet & Tangy BBQ Chicken:

Split Chicken Breasts

Chicken Legs

(Other parts as desired)

Soy Sauce

Coarse Sea Salt

Granulated Garlic

Onion

Honey BBQ Sauce

Ketchup

White Sugar

 

Grandma’s Mac & Cheese:

Macaroni Elbows

Milk

1 Stick of Butter

Flour

32oz Shredded Cheddar Cheese (Mild, Medium, Sharp)

1 each Red, Yellow, Green Bell Peppers

Onion

Green Onions

Oil for the baking dish

 

Jamaican Rice & Peas:

White, Long Grain, Jasmine Rice

Red Kidney Beans (pre-cooked unless you want to boil raw peas)

Coconut Milk

Garlic

Thyme

Green Onions

Onion

Coarse Sea Salt

Butter

Scotch Bonnet (Habenero) Pepper

 

Candied Yams:

Canned Sweet Potatoes

Brown Sugar

Cinnamon

Jumbo Marshmallows (Not mini)

 

Stuffing Muffins:

Cubed Stuffing Mix

Apples

Celery

Bay Leaf

Onion

Poultry Seasoning

Olive Oil

Salt

Pepper

Butter

Parsley

Chicken Stock

1 Egg

 

Rosemary Roasted Potatoes:

Red Skinned Potatoes

Fresh Garlic

Rosemary

Olive Oil

Coarse Sea Salt

Black Pepper

 

Green Beans:

Fresh String Beans

Slivered Almonds

Fresh Garlic

Butter

Coarse Sea Salt

Black Pepper

Lemon

 

Honey Glazed Carrots:

Carrots

Butter

Salt

Honey

Brown Sugar

Parsley

 

Cranberry Sauce:

Fresh Cranberries

Sugar

Oranges

 

Kale, Brussel Sprout & Pear Salad:

Kale

Brussel Sprouts

Anjou Pears

Pumpkin Seeds (Provides crunch without the nuts my AJ is allergic to)

Dried Cranberries

Sweet Poppy Seed Dressing

 

Honey Butter:

Unsalted Sweet Cream Butter

Honey

Salt

 

Pumpkin Cupcakes:

Flour

Baking Soda

Baking Powder

Oil

Eggs

Light Brown Sugar

Vanilla

Maple Syrup

Cinnamon

Pumpkin Pie Spice

Salt

Pumpkin Puree (NOT Pumpkin Pie Filling)

Cream Cheese

Butter

Confectioner’s Sugar (Powdered Sugar)

 

Carrot Cake:

Flour

Baking Soda

Ground Cinnamon

Carrots

Vegetable Oil

Eggs

White Sugar

Salt

Butter for Pans

OPTIONAL:

Chopped Pecans or Walnuts

Raisins

Cream Cheese

Butter

Vanilla

Confectioner’s Sugar

 

Candied Pecans:

Pecans Halves

Egg Whites

Butter

Salt

Sugar

Cinnamon

 

Here are all of the ingredients above listed by food category to help you organize your trip around the grocery store:

Meats:

Whole Turkey or Breast

Salmon

Split Chicken Breast

Chicken Legs & Thighs

 

Vegetables:

Green Beans

Red, Yellow, Green Bell Peppers (2 of each)

Yellow Onions (3)

Red-Skinned Potatoes

Sweet Potatoes

Celery

Carrots (1 large bag)

Red Kidney Beans (1 can/up to 8 cups of rice)

 

Other Starches:

White, Long Grain, Jasmin Rice

Macaroni Elbows (2  boxes)

Cubed Stuffing Mix (8 cups)

Dinner Rolls

 

Fruit:

Mcintosh or other red apples (4)

Fresh Cranberries

Lemons (2)

Orange (2)

Anjou Pears (2) (Ripe but still firm)

Dried Cranberries

Raisins (optional if adding to carrot cake)

 

Dairy:

Milk (1 Gallon)

Unsalted Sweet Cream Butter (8 full sticks)

32oz Shredded Cheddar Cheese

2 Dozen Eggs (Enough for cooking, baking and having some leftover for breakfast 😉 )

Coconut Milk

Cream Cheese

 

Herbs:

Green Onion (3 bunches)

Thyme (1 bunch)

Bay Leaves (1 Stem)

Rosemary (1 bunch)

Garlic (2 Bulbs)

Parsley (2 bunches)

Scotch Bonnet or Habenero Pepper (1)

 

Seasonings:

Poultry Seasoning

Granulated Garlic

Coarse Sea Salt

Cinnamon

Pumpkin Pie Spice

Chicken or Vegetable Stock (5 cups)

Salt

Pepper

 

Flavorings:

Soy Sauce

Vanilla

Cinnamon

Honey

Maple Syrup

Dark Brown Sugar

Light Brown Sugar

White Sugar

Confectioner’s Sugar

Baking Powder

Baking Soda

Pumpkin Pie Spice

 

Sauces:

Sweet & Sour

Honey Barbecue

Ketchup

Poppy Seed Salad Dressing

 

Oils:

Olive Oil

Vegetable Oil

Peanut Oil (For frying the Turkey)

 

Other:

Jumbo Marshmallows

Slivered Almonds

Pecans

Walnuts

Pumpkin Seeds

Apple Juice