November is upon us! Start the countdown for chillier nights, reruns of Gilmore Girls, and celebrating Friendsgiving with your chosen family on campus! If you want to step it up this year beyond store-bought cookies and ready-made soups, here are some delicious, tried-and-true recipes that will fool everyone into thinking you’re a Master Chef. This collection of dishes is much simpler to make than they may appear. They require less prep and technique than your average Thanksgiving staple, and won’t have you babysitting a turkey for hours on end.
Butternut Squash Soup
This velvety and hearty soup was the talk of my family’s Thanksgiving the past couple of years. It is easy to make in bulk and layered with classic and cozy flavors. I usually follow the Whole Foods recipe because it does not require too many ingredients and, with a few simple steps, you have the perfect squash soup.
Ingredients:
- 2 tbs olive oil
- 1 diced carrot
- 1 stalk of diced celery
- 1 diced white onion
- 4 cups of cubed butternut squash
- 1/2 tsp freshly chopped thyme leaves
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 black pepper (freshly ground)
Instructions:
- Over medium heat, heat up your olive oil in a large pot.
- Toss in your chopped carrots, onion, and celery.
- Sauté veggies for about 4 minutes, until they soften.
- Add the squash, broth, thyme, spices, and stir.
- Once it starts to boil, reduce to a simmer for 30 minutes until the squash is softened.
- Allow the soup to cool a little then use a blender to puree the soup in batches.
- Enjoy!
Link to Whole Foods Butternut Squash Soup: https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/classic-butternut-squash-soup
Baked Brie
Baked brie takes the cake when it comes to gorgeous-looking dishes that are way too easy to make! It will accentuate your Thanksgiving table as the most photogenic dish around. You can customize it endlessly by adding fresh thyme, various kinds of flavored honey, nuts, caramelized apples or onions, your favorite jam, and much more. The golden, flaky crust and ooey-gooey cheese will become an instant crowd-pleaser and only requires three ingredients.
Ingredients:
- Wheel of brie cheese (8-12 oz. )
- 1 sheet of puff pastry
- 1 egg
Instructions:
- Thaw out the sheet of puff pastry.
- Pre-heat oven to 400F
- Line baking sheet with parchment paper
- Sprinkle some flour on a clean surface and roll out the puff pastry with a flour-dusted roller.
- Place the brie in the middle of the puff pastry fold the corners over it, wrapping the brie. You can twist the corners together for a pretty effect.
- Beat an egg, and brush the egg wash all over.
- Take the brie to the oven and bake for 35 minutes, until the pastry turns dark gold. Make sure to allow it to cool a bit before serving so the cheese can set a little.
Pumpkin Banana Bread
Pumpkin banana bread is a household staple among my roommates. Every week, we try different healthy variations to find the most delicious, flavor-packed, moist loaf! After much experimentation with everything from Greek yogurt to peanut butter, we decided our top secret ingredient is chopped dates for an added chewy, caramelized texture.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of all purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 2 eggs
- 3 overripe bananas
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- pinch of salt
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/3 cup chocolate chips
- 6-8 chopped & pitted dates
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Whisk together dry ingredients in a bowl.
- In a separate bowl, mash bananas and pumpkin puree together.
- Add the rest of the wet ingredients and whisk together.
- Combine with dry ingredients and stir. Fold in the chocolate chips and dates at this point.
- Pour batter into a 9×5 inch loaf pan lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the loaf. Allow to cool for at least 15 minutes to allow the bread to finish cooking.
Rosemary Shortbread Cookies
One of my friends made these little rosemary shortbread cookies for our architecture Friendsgiving last fall, and I am still thinking about them. They perfectly harmonize sweet and savory flavors with each bite, delicately melting in your mouth. Give these cookies a try and people will be begging you for the recipe afterward (not that I was or anything…).
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of softened butter
- 2 cups of flour
- 1/2 cup confectioner’s sugar
- 2 tbsp finely chopped rosemary
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- Turbinado sugar
Instructions:
- Use a large bowl to cream together the butter and confectioner’s sugar for about 5-7 minutes. It should become fluffy and light.
- Whisk together dry ingredients and gradually add to the creamed mixture, combining well.
- Sprinkle turbinado sugar onto a clean surface.
- Shape the “dough” into two 8 inch rolls and roll it in the sugar to coat with turbinado all over.
- Wrap well with cling wrap. Place in the refrigerator overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Cut the rolls into 1/4 inch thick cookies and place in ungreased baking sheets.
- Bake for 11-13 minutes until the edges start to become golden and crispy. Allow to cool on a rack, and enjoy!
Link to Rosemary Shortbread Cookies: https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/rosemary-shortbread-cookies/
Becoming the Friendsgiving Master Chef
I hope these recipe ideas help answer the ever-looming “What do I bring to Friendsgiving?” question that pops up each year. You may even impress yourself with how delicious these turn out and leave everyone wondering where these culinary talents sprouted from. The secret? Bold flavors, a gorgeous presentation, and a lot of love.