It’s almost Thanksgiving, and we’re already looking forward to all the great food coming our way. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and all the classics, of course, but also some of those foods that might not be traditions for everyone else. Don’t get us wrong, the classics are a classic for a reason! But those dishes that feel unique to our family/childhood just hit different. This year, we thought we’d share some of our team member’s favorite off-the-beaten-path recipes. Be honest: there’s always at least one dish that mostly just gets passed over and then ends up in the trash after it’s obligatory stay of execution in the fridge… So, maybe it’s time to refresh your menu with some of our more out-of-the-box family favorites!

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Megan’s Babi’s Latkes:

This recipe is the closest approximation to my babi’s latkes recipe because she believes in measuring with your heart, not with numbers. Latkes, as all fried potato foods tend to be, are delicious, and we always have them at Thanksgiving because Hanukkah sometimes overlaps to create a food-filled event we call “Thanksgivnukkah.” 

Chet’s In-laws’ Carrot Souffleé:

This carrot soufflé is an absolute holiday must-have on my inlaws’ table. It's so much more than a side dish; it's a cloud of sweetness, balanced perfectly with the flavor of fresh carrots. While other soufflés can be tricky, this recipe is consistently delicious, making it the dish everyone looks forward to seeing on the table and budgeting in for seconds.

Ryan’s Mother’s Mac N Cheese:

My favorite Thanksgiving food is this mac n cheese. My mom would always make it from scratch with a crust made of crumbled Ritz crackers and extra cheese, then bake it in the oven to brown it. To this day I still have yet to find a better mac n cheese!

Maddy’s Family’s Buttermilk Pie:

This buttermilk pie has been a family tradition for over two decades, started by my aunt on my mom’s side. The whole family (my grandfather, his 6 kids and 20+ grandkids) all got together every year for Thanksgiving my entire childhood and this pie was definitely the biggest hit. Definitely a southern classic. In recent years, we’ve put a twist on it by using my dad’s pie crust recipe. Pro Tip: always make the pie crust - it’s the best.

Kat’s Nana’s Chocolate Cream Pie:

This is a staple dessert in our family around the holiday season. It was the pie my Nana would bring to every get together, without fail. It's very easy to make - especially if you use store bought crust- and always a hit! Pro Tip: always make the fresh whipped cream, it's so much better.

We hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving filled with lots of food, and maybe some new traditions mixed in with the old ones! Have any other out-of-the-norm Thanksgiving feast ideas? Share them with us - we’d love to hear about your traditions, too! And please let us know if you try out any of our team member’s recipes!