Every friend group is made up of different personalities- that’s what makes things fun! Everyone brings something different to the table- literally. Keep reading to find the perfect dish to bring to your next Friendsgiving potluck!
‘The Friend Who Somehow Got Stuck Hosting and Is Responsible for Bringing the Turkey’
Maybe you happen to have the biggest kitchen, or your roommates will be the coolest with you having a bunch of people over…either way, somehow your place got selected as the venue for this event. You know that the host is traditionally responsible for the turkey, and you want to do your part, but you don’t exactly know how. Fortunately for you, there is a super easy option to provide turkey for your friends without busting your butt or breaking the bank.
The average grocery store provides lots of options for Boneless Turkey Breast. I stopped into Meijer and all of the turkey breast options came pre-seasoned with cooking instructions.
Pick your favorite turkey breast option, and follow the cooking instructions on the package. Pop that baby in the oven and chill for a few hours while it cooks.
‘The Friend Who Wants to Impress Everyone With Their Cooking Skills’
We all have that one friend, the one who is always trying a new recipe and posting pictures of it on their Snapchat story. If you’re reading this and thinking “Hmm that might be me…” I have the perfect dish for you. Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes will give you that ‘wow’ factor you want to impress your friends, but are simple enough to give you plenty of time to enjoy the party with everyone else!
Preheat your oven to 425 degrees and wrap your sweet potatoes in tin foil. Pop them in the oven on a cookie sheet for about 45 minutes, or until they’re tender and you can squish ’em a bit with your oven mitt. Take them out and let cool for about 10 minutes.
Now comes the fun part: take the potatoes out of the foil and place them back on the cookie sheet. Cut them open lengthwise like you normally do a baked potato. Mash up the sweet potato with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Top with mini marshmallows and crushed pecans. Put them back in the oven until the marshmallows are nice and toasty.
‘The Friend Who Forgot They Had to Bring Something Until the Day Of’
Let’s be real: this could happen to anyone, and at some point it does. Your friends had plans for this big get-together, but you had a bio exam the night before and forgot you had to bring anything. Now you’re stuck with 30 minutes to get ready and be there with a delicious side dish. Your solution: Green Beans Sautéed with Bacon and Shallots. It might sound fancy, but this three-ingredient recipe can be thrown together in about 15 minutes while the turkey is resting. All you have to do is stop at the grocery store on the way to your friend’s house and you’re all set!
The recipe itself is super simple: cut your raw bacon ( I used about six strips for one pound of fresh green beans) into small pieces. Cook in a large skillet until done, but not crispy. Add one small shallot, diced and the green beans. Sauté in the bacon skillet for about 15 minutes or until desired tenderness is reached.
‘The Friend Who Has a Sweet Tooth’
This is for the friend who enjoys dinner, but always saves room for dessert. This friend knows how to appreciate a little sugar. This dish also fits well for ‘The Friend Who Should Not Be Trusted to Use the Oven’. Pumpkin Caramel Cheesecake Mini Trifles are a yummy, yet simple no-bake dessert that will look great on your Instagram feed.
You can assemble these trifles on your own, or you can make it a fun activity to enjoy with your friends. Whip up the pumpkin cheesecake filling by blending equal parts canned pumpkin, cream cheese, and cool whip with a hand mixer. I added two table spoons of caramel sauce for good measure. Now, get creative by layering crushed cinnamon graham crackers, your pumpkin cheesecake filling, cool whip and caramel sauce in your prettiest glasses. I recommend using mason jars, or another clear glass so you can see the layers. Top with a dollop of whipped cream, a sprinkle of crushed graham crackers and caramel drizzle.
Trying to decide what to cook for your friends can be super overwhelming, especially on a student’s schedule- and budget. Finding the perfect recipe to fit your personality can help take the stress right out of Friendsgiving and give you the confidence to start cooking!