Thanksgiving Starters

http://vancouveratmain.com/img_5573-2/ Thanksgiving is next week which seems impossible since most are still digging out from the Halloween candy avalanche. But, ready or not – here it comes. This week, we we will be sharing some of our contributors’ favorite recipes to get us all ready for Thanksgiving dinner. So, sit back, take a few notes and maybe try something new. ~ The Editors

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As tempting as it is to start a great meal with an even greater dessert, we all know we shouldn’t do that…or admit to doing that.

So, let’s start with appetizers and soup and set a good example for the kids.

Julieta lives in Argentina so doesn’t celebrate Thanksgiving. However, she shared one of her family’s favorite recipes for big family gatherings. She said it is always fun, especially for kids.

Bagna Cauda

• 5 heads garlic
• 3 cups good extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 pound salted anchovies
• 1 quart whole milk
• The vegetables:
• 2 cardoons or 3 to 4 stalks of white celery
• 2 yellow bell peppers
• 1 head of Savoy cabbage
• 2 baked beets
• 2 roasted bell peppers
• 1 head of cauliflower, steamed and broken into florets
• 6 potatoes, steamed
• 6 carrots, steamed

Vegetables and a dipping sauce? Hard to go wrong. Check out this link for further instructions. It takes an hour of prep time and an hour of cooking time so you’d definitely want to plan ahead.

Cheryl lives here in the United States so she does celebrate Thanksgiving. She passed on this recipe for one of her favorite soups. Let’s try not to judge a soup by it’s name.

Orange You Glad It’s Thanksgiving Soup

• 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 4 carrots, finely chopped
• Salt and pepper
• 1/2 cup pulpy orange juice
• 2 boxes frozen butternut squash puree
• 2 or 3 cups chicken broth
• Salt and pepper
• Grated nutmeg
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme leaves, for garnish
• 1 tbsp orange zest, for garnish

Nothing crazy in there which is always a bonus with kids. You can find detailed instructions here. The best news about this soup? It only takes 25 minutes to prepare. Orange you glad it’s easy?

What are your favorite Thanksgiving starters?