5 Surprising Foods To Add Pizzazz To Your Thanksgiving Menu

For Thanksgiving, you may find yourself in a rut. Are you tired of the same old yearly dinner routine? Are you looking to add some pizzazz to your Thanksgiving menu? 

Here at EZ Homes, we’ll help you bring some delectable pizzazz to your mobile home Thanksgiving celebration. Your guests will love you for it. And you’ll feel satisfied in knowing there’s something different to showcase and enjoy. 

Trying something new is an adventure. So buckle up and let’s go for a ride that will leave your taste buds watering for more! 

5 Surprising foods to put on the menu

In the subsequent paragraphs, we’ll showcase five surprising foods that will add pizzazz to your Thanksgiving menu. But you don’t have to take our word for it. Check out these delicious ideas yourself. Feel free to adapt them and make them your own. There’s beauty in improvisation!

And as you work on your menu, don’t forget the most important ingredient — love. We hope you share plenty of it this Thanksgiving whether you’re able to enjoy food in-person with extended family or host a group dinner over a socially distant Zoom call. 

This year may not be the most ideal year in the books, but there’s much to be grateful for. Let’s give thanks!

1 – Winter squash bharta

Have you ever heard of winter squash bharta? It’s a Bangladeshi dish, and it’s often served with steamed rice. The fiery mustard seed oil gives it a memorable flavor. 

For this recipe, you’ll need small red kuri, kabocha, or butternut squash; mustard seed oil; kosher salt; red onion; cilantro; red or green Thai chiles; ghee; coriander; cumin; Kashmiri chile powder or cayenne pepper; and freshly ground black pepper.

2 – Jerk Turkey Shepherd’s Pie

Talk about savory! Say hello to jerk turkey Shepherd’s Pie. This pie is flavorful, and it’s a mashup of cultures in its concept. 

For this recipe, you’ll need kosher salt, onion, garlic cloves, thyme sprigs, bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, jerk marinade, and a turkey. That’s for the brine. 

But for the dough, you’ll need flour, kosher salt, vegetable shortening, and unsalted butter. 

Jerk Turkey Shepherd’s Pie via Bon Appétit

And for the potatoes, the recipe calls for Yukon Gold or russet potatoes, kosher salt, half and half, unsalted butter, thyme, lime zest, and ground black pepper. Now for the turkey and for putting the whole thing together, you’ll need to count on Scotch bonnet chiles, ground cloves, jerk seasoning, unsalted butter, chicken broth or water, all-purpose flour, paprika, half and half, and cranberry sauce. 

Yes, this recipe may be a workout and require a workout afterward, but we think you’ll find it a rewarding endeavor. 

3 – Spiked cranberry-orange salad

Calling all cranberry lovers! This spiked cranberry-orange salad brings some fruity tones to the dinner table. You’ll need to grab some fresh or frozen cranberries, light brown sugar, fresh orange juice and zest, clementine segments, fresh pineapple, sliced celery, orange-flavored liqueur, and chopped toasted walnuts.

This salad is well and good on its own, but we suggest serving it atop turkey or any other protein you might be serving on the big day!

4 – Red hot oyster and Kimchi dressing

For another exotic dish, this one is surprising and sure to please. Red hot oyster and Kimchi dressing is Asian in nature with Asian oysters and the Korean powers of Kimchi at work. Kimchi is a tradition in Korean cuisine. It’s a flavorful dish of fermented veggies. 

To make this mouth-watering dressing, you’ll want to get your hands on unsalted butter, bacon, shallots, garlic, fresh thyme, fresh sage, fresh nutmeg, ground cloves, kimchi, Korean gochujang, dried porcini, brandy, chicken stock, oyster liquor, salt and pepper, rustic bread, Asian small-size shucked oysters, and Tabasco sauce.

That may be quite the ingredient list, but you’ll be pleased by the outcome.

5 – Holiday nachos

And here’s our final recipe suggestion. It’s certainly something a little out of the ordinary for a Thanksgiving menu, but it may be just what the doctor ordered. These holiday nachos by Rachel Ray are sure to please. 

Holiday Nachos via Rachael Ray

Here’s what’s cooking in this recipe: onions, olive oil, shredded cooked chicken, chipotle sauce, tortilla chips, grated white cheddar, pomegranate seeds, and cilantro. 

Simple. Mexican-ish. Festive.

A time to celebrate with thanks

Sure, it’s been a rough year. But taking a pause to reflect on the good can bring some grounding perspective. Life is hard, but don’t let the toils and challenges throw off your ability to see and seek the good. 

We hope these recipes afford you some fun conversation pieces and brightening up the holiday season. 

If you’re willing and able to host a party this holiday season, consider our tips and tricks to hosting unforgettable parties in your mobile home.