Balsamic Brussels Sprouts with Acorn Squash

Every winter season, I look forward to the wide availability of Brussels sprouts and acorn squash. I prepare them many different ways, but I make it a point to never overwhelm the distinct flavors of these seasonal veggies.

This time around, I steamed the vegetables until tender, then sautéed them in a little butter until caramelized. Finally, I glazed them in balsamic-maple syrup. The children love this dish because of its intriguing flavors; the sweet, tart and savory notes with a hint of maple in the background got very positive reviews.

Thanksgiving Leftovers: Cranberry Pear Dessert Recipe

Thanksgiving is over and I have some leftovers from last night. We always have extra cranberry jelly, and this year I decided to turn it into a mousse. But cranberries can be a little tart, so I added pears to balance the flavor of the dessert.

When serving mousse, I always try to pair the smooth, airy dessert with something of more substantial texture. I topped each mousse with a garnish of diced pears with dried cranberries as a reminder of the flavors in the mousse, plus a sprinkle of crushed pistachio for added color and crunch. The result is a fabulous dessert that no one will guess was made from Thanksgiving leftovers!

Giving Thanks on Thanksgiving Day

Maple Pecan Pie Recipe

Maple pecan pie is slight variation on the traditional Thanksgiving dessert. I spread the bottom of the pie shell with speculoos spread, which adds a hint of cinnamon flavor. It’s perfect for the season. The inside isn't your average pecan pie filling either. The thick pecan-flavored custard contains maple syrup, Grand Marnier and orange zest to bring all the fall flavors together.

Of all the Thanksgiving desserts I’ve made, this is the one where there aren't never any leftovers. The slight variations give the dessert of fun twist, but the key to making a great pecan pie still is just to add a generous amount of pecans.

Pumpkin Mousse Recipe

I’ve made a lot of desserts and drinks with pumpkin in the past. It’s a very versatile ingredient. Recently, I added pumpkin mousse to the list of pumpkin dishes I've tried, and I have to say, it came out wonderfully. It's denser than your typically mousse due to the thickness of pumpkin purée.

Compared to a pumpkin pie, the mousse is more subtly flavored, but still captures the essence of this quintessential Thanksgiving ingredient. Individually served in small cups or more generously in a parfait cup, pumpkin mousse would make an elegant addition to any Thanksgiving dinner table.