Holidays in the fall and winter are my favorite because of the warm, comforting foods that are always served. The air is filled with spices and herbs, and the sweet smell of a pie or two.
Savory items take up most of the space on my plate, like stuffing, turkey, mashed potatoes, and gravy. The list goes on and on! Sweets always round out the end of the meal while my family gets into a game of cards or some sort of board game. The holidays never feel fully complete without pumpkin pie, cheesecake, the occasional holiday cookie, or even a classic Midwest “salad.”
Without forgetting about nutrients like fiber and protein, I like to break it down into a simple framework with an appetizer or salad, an entree, a side, and a dessert.
Thanksgiving tables can be filled with such a variety of tasty, warm foods.
Starting off, we have an Autumn Soup. Incorporating some fall classics into a silky-smooth soup will get your stomach ready for a true feast!
Turkey is a classic, of course! Smaller households can’t always use up an entire bird, so we found a different way to incorporate turkey without breaking the bank. Turkey breast roulade sounds fancy, but it’s just sauteed veggies rolled up into a turkey breast. We love using seasonal vegetables like leeks and greens to maximize our vitamins throughout an otherwise indulgent meal.
Then, this Easy Roasted Vegetables side dish brings in some variety to round out the meal. Incorporate your favorite fall vegetables and make this dish your own!
My family always finishes out a holiday meal with a sweet treat. Anything pumpkin, apple, or chocolate gives us that dessert fix we always crave during the fall and winter seasons! Tarts, pies, or trifles are a few types of desserts that we like to bring to family gatherings. They’re always crowd pleasers!
Share some of your favorite holiday dishes with us on our Spend Smart. Eat Smart. Facebook page.
This article was written by Jill Ardueser. Jill is a Dietetic Intern at Iowa State University. In her spare time, she likes to bake, run, and knit.
