We are watching our wallets more than ever this year. However, a leaner budget doesn’t mean that the holiday season should be any less festive. In these trimmed-down recipes, we’ve outlined simple ways to have a memorable meal that hits on all the right traditional notes, without breaking the bank.
Serves 4
Herbed Baked Turkey Breast
For good reason, the turkey is always the star of the show, and there’s typically an appropriate price-tag attached to its high status. By roasting an ample-sized, bone-in, turkey breast in a three ingredient herb-blend, this Thanksgiving staple is ready for the taking.
Ingredients
- 1 whole, bone-in turkey breast, about 2-3 lbs (around $4/lb)
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 3-5 cloves garlic, minced (depending on your preference for garlic)
- 1 tablespoon dried rosemary
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 lemon, juiced and zested
Directions
- Preheat oven to 325˚ F. Place the turkey breast on a sheet pan, pat dry with a paper towel and season the skin and under the skin of the turkey with butter, salt, pepper, herbs and the zest of the lemon.
- Loosely cover the breast with aluminum foil.
- Roast the turkey for an hour and a half to two hours (depending on the size) or until the internal temperature of the breast reaches 165˚.
- Allow the turkey to rest for 15 minutes and drizzle with lemon juice.
- Scrape and reserve the pan juices and drippings for gravy.
- Slice the turkey breast and serve.
Turkey Pan Gravy
Ingredients
- Pan drippings from roasting pan
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 cup water
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- On medium heat, add the pan drippings to a small pot or sauce pan.
- Make a roux by sprinkling the flour into the pan drippings then adding the butter.
- Whisk to combine and slowly pour in the water.
- Continue whisking on low heat to remove any lumps, adding more water if needed.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
No thanksgiving spread is complete without this ultimate comfort food. This recipe includes a hefty amount of garlic for satisfying depth and flavor. While almost any potatoes can be mashed, the naturally creamy texture and buttery nature of Yukon golds potatoes make for a decadent side without the significant addition of heavy fats or creams.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, scrubbed, peeled, and cubed
- 2-4 cloves fresh garlic, minced (depending on your preference for garlic)
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ¼ cup milk, low-fat
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- Add the potatoes in a large pot, cover with water and bring to boil over medium high heat.
- Cover and cook for twenty minutes until the potatoes are fork tender.
- Using a colander, drain the potatoes and return them to the pot.
- Add the garlic, butter, milk, and salt and pepper
- Mash using a fork.
Steamed Lemony Green Beans
Ingredients
-1 pound fresh green beans
-1 lemon, juiced and zested
-1/2 tablespoon butter
-Salt and black pepper to taste
Directions
- In a pot over medium high heat, bring 2 cups of water to a boil.
- Add green beans and cook for 3 – 4 minutes.
- Drain using a colander and run under cold water for 30 seconds.
- Season with lemon juice, butter, salt and pepper.
- Serve immediately.
And finally, 1 Can of Cranberry sauce to serve!
We hope you enjoy this traditional meal for perhaps a not so traditional Thanksgiving this year!
Recipes By: Chef Brigid Washington.