It’s time to properly set the table. Not necessarily with your best or most expensive cutlery and glassware. But rather as a humble offering of gratitude for those we love and appreciate in our lives. It’s time to put together something fun and inviting, and serve heart-warming dishes that make coming together an event to look forward to.
Even if your Thanksgiving is just a handful of people, there's no reason you can't go all out, starting with a pretty tablescape.
We threw a simple white-and-blue striped runner on our recently bought big-kid dining table, while hand-painted pumpkins and small autumn sprays added a pop of color and texture. We were going for a farmhouse look so we also repurposed a ceramic egg crate and a large coffee mug as the base for our centerpieces.
Then, it was time to cook. To get the creative juices going, nothing like an old-school cocktail. We learned that leftover honey whiskey pairs beautifully with apple cider and ginger ale.
Apple Honey Whisky Cocktails
For the main dish, we didn’t go with turkey. Again. After researching different recipes, Nabol decided to try Food Wishes’ Pig in a Pumpkin, with a few tweaks to Chef John’s recipe — basically a “pie pumpkin” stuffed with pieces of delicious tender pork loin. Doesn’t that sound good?!
Pig in a Pumpkin
1. Clean the pork loin and cut into big cubes. Season the meat, add the onions and pop it in the fridge for at least a couple of hours.
2. Sprinkle the flour, mix well, and sear the meat with a few drops of oil. Make sure not to crowd the pan.
Even if your Thanksgiving is just a handful of people, there's no reason you can't go all out, starting with a pretty tablescape.
We threw a simple white-and-blue striped runner on our recently bought big-kid dining table, while hand-painted pumpkins and small autumn sprays added a pop of color and texture. We were going for a farmhouse look so we also repurposed a ceramic egg crate and a large coffee mug as the base for our centerpieces.
Then, it was time to cook. To get the creative juices going, nothing like an old-school cocktail. We learned that leftover honey whiskey pairs beautifully with apple cider and ginger ale.
Apple Honey Whisky Cocktails
- 1 1/2 Parts HoneyWhiskey
- 1 Part Organic Hard Cider
- 1 Part Ginger Ale
- Crushed ice
For the main dish, we didn’t go with turkey. Again. After researching different recipes, Nabol decided to try Food Wishes’ Pig in a Pumpkin, with a few tweaks to Chef John’s recipe — basically a “pie pumpkin” stuffed with pieces of delicious tender pork loin. Doesn’t that sound good?!
Pig in a Pumpkin
- 1 Volleyball-sized “pie” pumpkin
- 1 1/2 Small pork loins
- 2 Cups of vegetable broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Onion and garlic powder to taste
- ½ Onion, sliced
- 2 Cloves of garlic
- 1/4 Cup of flour
- Olive oil
2. Sprinkle the flour, mix well, and sear the meat with a few drops of oil. Make sure not to crowd the pan.
3. Cut a lid on top of the pumpkin and remove the seeds. Add the pork, garlic and fill with broth ¾ of the way.
4. Bake the pumpkin at 350 degrees for about 3 to 3 1/3 hours, until the meat is tender.
*Keep the leftover pumpkin to make a delicious soup the next day.
While the main dish got cooking, we entertained ourselves with a slightly-campy Netflix holiday movie and a sweet and savory appetizer that takes a couple of minutes to put together. A laid-back twist to cheese and crackers.
Cheese apple crackers
About an hour before the stuffed pumpkin was ready, we put together our side dishes: simple mashed potatoes and a brussel sprout salad. They were the perfect contrast to the savory pork and the slightly sweet pumpkin.
4. Bake the pumpkin at 350 degrees for about 3 to 3 1/3 hours, until the meat is tender.
*Keep the leftover pumpkin to make a delicious soup the next day.
While the main dish got cooking, we entertained ourselves with a slightly-campy Netflix holiday movie and a sweet and savory appetizer that takes a couple of minutes to put together. A laid-back twist to cheese and crackers.
Cheese apple crackers
- Thin multigrain crackers
- Green apple, thinly sliced
- Sharp cheddar slices
- Raw honey
About an hour before the stuffed pumpkin was ready, we put together our side dishes: simple mashed potatoes and a brussel sprout salad. They were the perfect contrast to the savory pork and the slightly sweet pumpkin.
And finally, dessert. We found the cutest apple pie cookies online and decided to give them a try. If you don’t want to have tons of sweet temptations laying around after Thanksgiving, these are perfect.
Apple pie cookies
Apple pie cookies
- 2 Sheets of pie crust
- Caramel Topping
- 2 Apples
- ¼ Cup of sugar (extra to sprinkle on top)
- ¼ Cup of honey
- Cinnamon
- Butter
- 1 Egg, beaten
1. To make the filling, peel the apples and remove the core. Chop them finely, almost minced, and cook them with a dab of butter, honey, sugar, and a splash of lemon. Let it thicken and set aside.
2. Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper and grease it with butter. Set aside.
3. Spread the caramel thinly onto one pie crust. Then, the apple filling.
4. Cut the second crust into ½ inch strips and create a lattice top over the filling.
5. Using a glass cup for a cookie cutter, cut the cookies and place onto baking sheet.
6. Brush the cookies with an egg and sprinkle with sugar. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden.
Well, that’s it for our dinner! Hope you enjoy these recipes as much as we did and let us know what you’re cooking for your friends or family! Feel free to tag us on Instagram or leave a comment down below. We wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving at home or wherever this holiday takes you. Much love guys.
2. Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper and grease it with butter. Set aside.
3. Spread the caramel thinly onto one pie crust. Then, the apple filling.
4. Cut the second crust into ½ inch strips and create a lattice top over the filling.
5. Using a glass cup for a cookie cutter, cut the cookies and place onto baking sheet.
6. Brush the cookies with an egg and sprinkle with sugar. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden.
Well, that’s it for our dinner! Hope you enjoy these recipes as much as we did and let us know what you’re cooking for your friends or family! Feel free to tag us on Instagram or leave a comment down below. We wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving at home or wherever this holiday takes you. Much love guys.
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