Less & More: The WFH Mom Edit

Put on those stretchy pants because I have some good eats planned…

The Thanksgiving countdown is on and we are pressing our finest aprons getting ready to whip up something delicious over here. Molly put together some great tips for hosting Thanksgiving if you are welcoming loved ones to your table. As for me? I head to family’s house and try to bring a few apps, sides, and/or desserts to round out the menu.

I have two boys and I will be darned if they aren’t involved in cooking and cleaning. Since they could walk my kiddos have been involved in holiday and party prep because chores and cooking are for everyone! Getting them in on the kitchen action has been a lot of fun (and very messy) and as they get older it has been neat to see them choose more complex recipes to make or try brand new things.

Here are a few of our go-to recipes to make for our Thanksgiving feast and some new things we are trying this year.

The first cheese plate my oldest ever made completely on his own.

Savory

Cheese Plate

Tried and true, we are always on cheese plate duty for holidays. When my oldest was about three he asked if he could make a “nice, little cheese plate” for our Thanksgiving celebration and he’s been the cheese man ever since. I used to help him cut and arrange but now all I do is swipe my credit card at the grocery store when he picks his blocks.

Potato Puffs

As a family of vegetarians we are loyal to the mighty potato. Every year I try to make a fun bite with potatoes that aren’t mashed (my grandma has mashed potatoes perfected so who am I to step on her toes?). One of my favorite concoctions in the last couple of years have been these cheesy mashed potato puffs from the Kitchn. It’s perfect for using up leftovers or for making as an appetizer. Who doesn’t love a good carb?

Squash Soup in a Pumpkin

For us vegetarians, my family always makes sure there is a filling meat-free main. A few years ago it was this really hearty AllRecipes butternut squash soup served in small pumpkins. It was SO good!

Cookies are our easy go-to for dessert! We made circus animal sugar cookies and amaretto cherry cookies for a holiday party last year.

Sweet

Gooey Butter Cake

I told each of my kiddos they could choose a dish or dessert to make this year, in addition to said cheese plate, and they both went with sweets. My youngest is OBSESSED with Gooey Butter Cake. He learned how to make it in a summer cooking camp last year and has been a fiend for it since (so much so that when we took a road trip this summer part of the reason we added a stop in St. Louis was to get an authentic piece of GBC). He’s going to make an original flavor gooey butter cake for Thanksgiving and we got some cute leafy sprinkles to make it festive. He’s using this New York Times recipe.

Apple Cobbler

My oldest was originally going to go cookies this year but wanted to try something new so he’s set on this apple cobbler from Sally’s Baking Addiction (we have NEVER had a recipe fail with her). He is even making date caramel and got some vanilla ice cream so he can “make it fancy” when he serves it up.

Marshmallow Dip with Strawberries

Marshmallow dip with strawberries is one of my favorite desserts because it is sweet and light and so, so good. This recipe is pretty close to the one my oldest concocted a few years ago. He whips his up with a block of cream cheese, Dandies marshmallow cream, mini Enjoy Life semi-sweet chips, and a proprietary blend of vanilla, sugar, and something else that he pulls out of the cabinet that he won’t say what it is.

So, now that I have my Tupperware washed and ready for leftovers – what are your go-to Thanksgiving recipes??

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