It's Time For All Good Moose to Get Their Turkey On - Canadian Thanksgiving eh

Yes, Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving. It always coincides with Columbus Day in the States so if you Americans are looking for another excuse to enjoy a magical turkey dinner, claim yourselves some Canadian relatives, throw together a cornucopia and start a new family tradition.

Turkey for Columbus Day!

Knowing that most families never deviate from the sacred Thanksgiving menu that your great grandmother Alma set out, if you are feeling like you would like to shake things up a bit this weekend and switch out the mashed, buttered and brown sugared turnip,here are some ideas for you:

Don't feel like actually cooking a big turkey but still want all of the flavours? Try this Cranberry Glazed Turkey Meatloaf and serve it with all the trimmings.

Bust out of your stuffing doldrums and try my recipe for Portuguese Corn Bread Stuffing (if you can't find cornbread you can use any heavy, country style bread like sourdough or something)

You can make these ahead and keep the log of dough in the freezer to slice up and bake off as many as you need right before guests arrive. A savoury, buttery cookie with your cheese plate is unexpected and delicious.

Don't boil the bejesus out of those brussels sprouts this year. Shred them raw and serve them in a salad - that'll keep them on their toes

Try adding a little spice into your dinner by serving this Curried Parsnip Soup to start things off.

Instead of a boring, green salad (YOU ARE GOING TO SERVE A SALAD WITH ALL THAT GRAVY, STUFFING AND MASHED POTATOES TO ENSURE THAT SCURVY DOES NOT SET IN RIGHT???) try this light, citrusy fennel salad 

Give everybody a break from pumpkin pie and make this Gooey Apple Upside Down Cake instead. If you really feel like you have to, add pumpkin spice seasonings to it.

Finally, what to do with the inevitable leftovers after everyone is sick to death of turkey/stuffing/cranberry sandwiches?

Turkey Quinoa Soup is a nice spin on my turkey scotch broth

Turkey Tamales should not be intimidating because although easy enough to make, they are more to make with friends

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