Thanksgiving Starts Here: 20 Starters, Soups & Salads

Hopefully this post will be a diversion from the election stress. Food has a way of doing that. If you haven't noticed, there are only three Fridays before Thanksgiving. Time flies when we aren't having fun, huh?  I have surfed the Internet for the most interesting appetizer, soup, and salad recipes that are Thanksgiving worthy. Enjoy! 

Apple Butter Old Fashioned

Let's begin with a stylish sip, shall we? What a beautiful cocktail! That spoonful of apple butter says it all. This should be your house drink on Thanksgiving Day!

Half Baked Harvest

Pumpkin Bisque In A Pumpkin Shell

You can't beat this presentation! Find the perfect mini pumpkin, but don't bake it. Clean it up, and serve your bisque in the pumpkin. The recipe is easy and sounds so good.

Pizzazzerie

Prosciutto and Fig Salad Board

Serving buffet style? This is your salad on a beautiful board!

Pure Wow

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup With Creme Fraiche
My kind of serving style. Consider casually serving this "shooter" style soup before sitting at the table. It is a fun surprise for your guests, even if it is just family. The simple sprigs of thyme are the perfect touch!

Cambria Wines

Brie and Bacon Palmiers

With only three ingredients and 15 minutes of cooking time, this is an easy but elegant appetizer. 

Delicious Table

Whipped Cranberry Goat Cheese Spread

This recipe had me at that gorgeous color.  I think that this could be called the only Thanksgiving appetizer we need!

How Sweet Eats

Roasted Cauliflower Soup Shooters

Could a soup be any more stylish? They are dairy free, too!

Flavour & Savor

Pomegranate Avocado Salad

This recipe gives a healthy fat, the avocado, a Fall twist. It is all dressed in a pomegranate vinaigrette. If you haven't tried a dressing made with pom juice, try this one. It gets five stars.

Half Baked Harvest

Bacon, Onion and Asiago Fondue

Is there anything more comforting than a skillet of warm gooey cheese? And I bet that no one would have a problem if you tossed in a little bourbon or white wine. YUM!

Pure Wow

Caramelized Onion and Apple Tarts with Gruyere and Thyme

I just love to serve pretty food. Don't you? This recipe creates an easy and elegant appetizer. Best yet, it is served on top of a store bought puff pastry.

Williams Sonoma

Roasted Squash, Pecan, & Pomegranate Salad

The base of this dish is roasted squash or sweet potatoes, if you prefer. This is a very festive salad that is both sweet and savory.

Minimalist Baker

Bacon and Fontina Stuffed Mushrooms

It wouldn't be Thanksgiving in my home, without stuffed mushrooms. My Mom made the best, and we all loved them. Now Ms. Shop This has elevated the appetizer and we love those, too. I will. miss her and those mushrooms this year.

Taste of Home

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup With Crispy Tofu { Vegan }

What a beautiful soup! The added extras to this dish take it up a notch.

Heather Christo

Fall Harvest Salad With Pumpkin Goddess Dressing

What a beautiful combination of tastes and textures! That dressing has me intrigued. It's healthier than most, made with Greek yogurt.

The Seasoned Mom

Roasted Garlic and Wild Mushroom Naan Flatbreads

Mushrooms add an earthiness to any dish, which is perfect for Harvest time. And according to the recipe author, this one is so simple that a monkey could make it.  LOL!
Scrambled Chefs

Sweet Potato & Roasted Apple Soup

Filled with flavor and nutritional fiber, this soup has all of the Fall feels.

Smells Like Home

Roasted Pumpkin Salad With Kale, Apples, & Maple Pecans

Isn't this a tasty looking Thanksgiving Salad? It's picture perfect, and dressed with  a maple vinaigrette. Divine! Feasting At Home

Festive Goat Cheese Balls
These couldn't be easier to make. They indeed are festive looking with the colors of cranberries and pistachios. Sure to be a winner!

The Pioneer Woman

Bacon Wrapped Fig And Honeycrisp Apple Salad With Salted Caramel Pecans

This salad is really the ultimate special occasion recipe. But I would enjoy it any night of the week.

Half Baked Harvest

Sweet Potato Pear Soup

Sounds delightful, doesn't it? The pear will add a sweet spriteness to the soup. Such an elegant presentation.

HGTV

~ You May Also Love ~

Foodie Friday: Pumpkin Everything!

Election Elixirs

It's going to be a long day and night, friends. If you are as anxious as I am, a cocktail or two might be in order. To help you stay up, the Espresso Martini  above is a chic choice.  Here are thirteen terrific cocktails that will  get you through the night. I have taken a little poetic license with the drink titles, which was so much fun.  Please remember to drink and vote responsibly.  

Cheers!

Mr. President

This cocktail might make you smile. Peach-infused Aperol, Prosecco, and topped with a Cotton Candy Toupee.  Make your own or head to the Bird in Washington D.C.

Pence's Poison Apple Martini
There's still time for a smoking gun in this race. Until then, smoke your own cocktail.

The Political Storm

This cocktail hails from Chicago's Rush Bar. It features Cranberry Juice, St. Germain, and Grapefruit Juice.

The Vodka Quarantini
Social distancing and watching the results alone? This recipe from Town & Country mag, will solve everything.

The Lavender Landslide

Actually it is called a Lavender Chills, but I love alliteration, don't you? Looks yummy.

The Cosmopolitician

Actually this recipe is for the perfect cosmopolitan. And it does look like the perfect pour. I just renamed it for today.

The Kamala Harris Victory Cup
Selected for its' nutritional value. because one has to eat even in times like this.

Minted Melania Mimosa
These get my vote for best dressed mimosas!

Biden Brandy Old Fashioned
Well, he is old. They both are. Young or old will love this classic cocktail. 

Suntory All Free

Don't drink? Here's a beer free of calories and alcohol. Best yet, you can buy it at Amazon! The name is appropriate for the event. Aren't we all happy to be free to vote?

Dark & Stormy

I think we can all agree that this political campaign has been both dark and stormy. And then there is Stormy....

The Fauci Figa

Made with fig infused vodka.  This is one smart cocktail, just like the doctor.

~ You May Also Love ~

P.S. I will be taking a minute to let the election electricity shake out. See you at the end of the week.

Saturdays At Shop This: Happy Halloween!

This Halloween will look different. The above pic is my idea of dressing up, and quite the costume! Personally, I can't remember the last time that I really dressed up. Does wearing kitten heels with skinny pants count? Today's post features all treats  and no tricks. Enjoy your holiday the best you can.

Fall Refresh: Enjoy 25% off at one of the most fashionable websites, Moda Operandi! Use Code: FALL25 to save on over 1500 styles. You'll find fab fashion from Etro, Missoni, Vince and more.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Shop the Max Mara Teddy Bear Collection exclusively at My Theresa. The coats are always the essence of streamlined luxury. But you will love the accessories this year. Those gloves and hats!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Ready to ditch the toxic chemicals in your skincare? Now is a good time to do it. Try Annmarie wildcrafted and organic skin care for 25% less this weekend with Code: BDAYLOVE25. I love the Aloe Cleanser

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Have a new iPhone 12? Baublebar has the best custom and personalized cases. A great gift idea for yourself or someone on your list.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Persée’s Symbolic Jewelry Is Pure Magic. Read and shop the story at Saks online.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Have you seen the Furoshiki Holiday Wrapping Cloth at Anthropologie? It's so so pretty!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

I wore my Antibacterial Fashion PPE Gloves + Mask zebra print set last weekend for the first time. They were so much fun, and I received many compliments. Both pieces were super comfy. So worth the $26 and two day free shipping!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Designer Christopher Kane's "More Joy" face mask is something we all could use.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

This little fab find just made me smile, and it is less than $8: These metal hair clips in gold or silver tones are an easy, minimalist way to dress up your look.  See them at Amazon.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Don't lose your head this Halloween, my Pretties.  Play it safe, have fun, and make it fashion!

XOXOX

Deb

Shop This

16 Retro Recipes That Deserve A Comeback

Just what we need, another hour of 2020! As you know, we turn back the clock on Sunday.  So in keeping with the theme of "going back," let's take a step back in time. This Foodie Friday remembers  the family-friendly fare that we enjoyed growing up. Enjoy the nostalgic nosh!

Bourbon Sloppy Joes

One of my favorite childhood foods! I always requested it for my birthday parties, without the bourbon. Today, bring that bourbon on. This recipe has a gourmet touch that I am sure is delicious.

Leites Culinaria

Beef Stroganoff

This was a specialty of mine for many years. It always seemed like an elegant choice to serve. It's rich with both heavy and sour cream. I always served it on rice, but you can use noodles, too.

Kitchen Sanctuary

Mom's Spanish Rice

This one is for "Mr. Shop This." His Mom, Laura, made it best. Punch up your version with extra chili and a squeeze of lime.

Taste Of Home

Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding
My Mom made a great banana pudding and taught me how to do it early on. Did you grow up with it, too? It wasn't until about ten years ago, that I had the best banana pudding of my life. It was at the iconic Magnolia Bakery in NYC. Kids, this stuff is addictive! Here's the secret recipe.

Insider.com

French Onion Mac and Cheese

As far as I can remember, my Mom made us the box mac 'n cheese. Which we loved, but I wouldn't think of serving it today. Caramelized onions are my must have ingredient. So this elevated recipe really caught my eye. It's the Mac & Cheese grown up edition!

Hungry Couple NYC

Autumn and Chicken Phyllo Pot Pies
Not exactly the same frozen pot pies that we ate as a child or in college. This is the gourmet version, and they look so delicious. Don't worry, an easier more classic recipe made with canned soup is included, too. Just scroll down.

Half Baked Harvest

Lime Jello Salad
I am pretty sure that there never was a meal for any kind of crowd without the jello salad. Truth is, everyone loved it, and we probably still would. When was the last time that you were served it? This recipe is fancied up by using mini molds and a decorative presentation. Mom didn't do that.

Erica's Recipes

Spicy Ranch Chex Mix

Oh the Tupperware containers filled with homemade Chex Mix we had! I was crazy for my Mom's version, but Tieghan's recipe takes this standby snack up many notches. The Ranch Seasoning is key!

Half Baked Harvest

French Onion Dip

Did you ever look at the back of the box of French Onion Soup? It is so unhealthy. I have been making my own dip for years. No soup mix here! Rich caramelized onions and a splash of sherry are the secret to this flavor-packed dip. 

Good Housekeeping

Pumpkin Twinkie
Just in time for Halloween. These will take us all back to when we could eat anything we wanted.

Dessert First Girl

Chicken Pot Pie

This recipe is most likely more what your Mom made. It is a simple version made with canned soup and pre made pie crust. But feel free to create your own soup. Still looks good.

Our Best Bites

Maple-Glazed Turkey Meatloaf With Bacon & Butternut Squash

This modern and healthier take on a 50's fave, kind of puts my Mom's version to shame. Shhh!

Delish

New Tuna Casserole with Potato Chips

Another one of my childhood faves. And yes, the chips were mandatory. This recipe however features fresh veggies, but still calls for the canned tuna.

Southern Living

Creamy Roasted Tomato Soup

Most of us grew up on Campbell's Tomato Soup. And it was good, but oh so unhealthy. Our Mamas thought they were giving us something warm and nutritious. Not. But this recipe is, and it is made without heavy cream. A humble potato naturally thickens the soup!

Cafe Delites

Waldorf Salad

I can't remember a special dinner or holiday without a Waldorf Salad. It was so good, and I bet it still would be today. One hint, that we didn't do back in the day: Toast the walnuts before mixing the salad!

Home Made Interest

Simple Baked Italian Meatballs

I bet that I have your attention now! This dish will take you back, if you are Italian, to your Grandma's meatballs. I bet that "you know who" will request these this weekend.

Half Baked Harvest

~ You May Also Love ~

Back To Baking: Bakers Tools & Recipes