Get cooking for Thanksgiving!
The Thanksgiving holiday is synonymous with food! Celebrate the fall harvest by dedicating a few hours of the long weekend to preparing some comforting dishes. Here are a few delicious recipes you’ll want to share with the whole family.
A bit of history
Thanksgiving is intrinsically linked with food. It began as a day to give thanks for the harvest. Grains, fruits, and vegetables were what allowed the Pilgrims to survive the harsh winter. Although times have certainly changed since, the Thanksgiving long weekend remains an occasion to gather with loved ones and enjoy a delicious feast.
Enjoying the late harvest
October is the last month to harvest your garden vegetables. Squash and pumpkins are in season, so make them the star of the show! Warm your guests up with a pumpkin and tarragon soup. Low in calorie, pumpkins are an excellent source of vitamin A and potassium.
Apple time!
Apples are one of fall’s greatest pleasures, and their tart flavour means they pair perfectly with pork. You can prepare this delicious recipe for rack of pork with apples and nuts in just 20 minutes. The mustard, rosemary, white wine, and maple syrup all come together to create an explosion of flavour!
Want to prepare a restaurant-worthy appetizer, without having to spend hours in the kitchen? Caramelize apples with rosemary, sugar, and fleur de sel. In a separate pan, sear foie gras, one minute each side. Place the foie gras slices atop the apples!
If you’re still hungry after all that, try this old-fashioned apple pie! Served warm, each bite of apple, cinnamon, and nutmeg will melt in your mouth! And of course, IGA sells ready-made pie shells to help make your life a little easier.
Not in the mood for making dessert? Ricardo’s got you covered with his decadent, ready-to-eat apple cake! This sweet shortcut is just as good as a homemade dessert!
A one-of-a-kind turkey
The quintessential main dish for Thanksgiving, oven-roasted turkey is the ultimate comfort food. Plus, it fills your home with mouth-watering aromas as it slowly cooks for hours! The only downside is the tedious task of carving and boning it when done. For the perfect compromise between tradition and efficiency, opt for a simple skinless and boneless roast turkey breast. Featuring smoked cheese and mushroom stuffing, this recipe only takes an hour to make. The secret to even more flavour? Replace the cremini mushrooms with dried wild mushrooms. Rehydrate your dried mushrooms by soaking them in warm water for a dozen or so minutes.
One last terrace dinner before winter
Some years, Thanksgiving coincides with Indian summer. The cold weather is just around the corner and will be here to stay for many months, so enjoy your terrace while you still can!
Whether the sun is shining or not, you can still opt for an appetizer/tapas Thanksgiving formula. A platter of Pork Shop charcuteries helps set a festive, laid-back ambience. Their pork rillettes, cooked in duck fat and seasoned with Chic-Choc rum and maple syrup, make for a delicious local option!
Salmon tartare is another festive option. Make this classic salmon tartare by combining tartare-quality fresh salmon with dill, capers, and Dijon mustard. Serve it on a bed of avocado purée, for a bistro-worthy presentation. Make it even more gourmet by preparing homemade croutons using an À chacun son pain baguette. Absolutely irresistible!
Looking for a quick and easy tartare recipe? Discover this exclusive range of tartare and ceviche seasoning products, which pair perfectly with ready-made salmon, scallop, tuna, or beef tartare bases.
Reenergize and head outside to do some raking!
Many people take advantage of the long weekend to do some yard work, such as raking fallen leaves. Turn the chore into a fun adventure by planning an at-home picnic! This pork sandwich with marinated zucchini will satisfy everyone’s hunger and have them ready to get to work! If your BBQ is already put away for winter, grab some ciabatta bread and make some yummy vegetable and goat cheese sandwiches. You can also use your ciabatta bread to make smoked salmon sandwiches with a fresh cream spread—the ideal grab-and-go lunch! With a menu like this one, you won’t have any trouble recruiting your backyard workers!
Canning can be fun!
Sunny fall days are the perfect time to fill your pantry with preserves. Canning is a fun activity to do as a family. However, you need to make sure you have all the necessary equipment. If properly sterilized and sealed, canned goods can last up to a year in a dry, dark area.
Tomatoes may be the king of Mason jars, but a variety of other vegetables are also great for canning and pickling. Did your garden give you loads of carrots this year? Pickle them with roasted garlic and thyme and add some flavour to all your meals all winter long!