While Halloween and Christmas have a longer period of build-up leading up to them, Thanksgiving’s star shines just as bright, even if it’s for a shorter while. But this is why we often spend a lot of time and effort preparing for the other two holidays and forget to spend some extra time on Thanksgiving. This time around, Mixbook has prepared a short guide on how to add some extra flavor to this year’s Thanksgiving dinner.

Extra Flavor for the Thanksgiving Dinner

We’re sure you have your own family recipe or a special way of preparing the turkey, a so-to-speak “pièce de résistance” of your table. So instead of advising you on that, here’s a list of dishes that will add a little “ooooh” to your dinner and even the day after.

1. Starter - Pumpkin Deviled Eggs

Full Disclosure - there is no actual pumpkin in these deviled eggs, they just look like them. It can be our little secret, and no one has to know. All you need to do is grab your usual deviled eggs recipe and mix in some paprika into the filling, till you get a rich orange hue. Put a tiny piece of chive on the top or bottom of the filling, and voila! A deviled egg that looks like a festive pumpkin.

Mixbook Pro Tip: Use the basket tip on a frosting bag to pipe in the filling, this will speed up the process and leave you more time for the next recipe.

2. Side - Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

While bacon certainly isn’t the healthiest of fats, combined with asparagus it becomes a nice treat, it even works if you’re on Paleo or a low carb Keto diet (and we all know someone who needs special treatment).

First off, start with cooking the bacon in the oven, single layer, but only let it cook about halfway. You need it to be a bit flimsy, so you can firmly wrap it around the asparagus before you throw it back in the oven. We also recommend tossing the asparagus in some olive oil, garlic, and thyme beforehand.

Mixbook Pro Tip: Cook the bacon on a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking. To make sure the bacon stays on the asparagus use a toothpick to secure it in place.

3. Pie - Dark Chocolate Pecan Pie

If you’re the type of person that thinks Pecan pies are just too “sticky sweet”, but not enough so that you’d refuse a bite - we have just the solution for you. Adding dark chocolate chips will not only add a layer of complexity to your Thanksgiving dessert but also balance out the sweetness and add a new level of texture.

Just take your usual pecan pie recipe, after you finish stirring in the butter, vanilla extract, and corn syrup into the flour, simply gently fold in the pecans and chocolate chips. Afterward, proceed, as usual, it’s as easy as pie!

4. Leftovers

No matter how well you plan out your dinner, there are always plenty of leftovers to go around afterward. Here’s not one, but three ideas on how to make you look forward to eating them, without feeling like you have to.

Breakfast

Thanksgiving Leftovers Everything Bagel

This recipe stuffs your everything bagel with a poached egg, cranberry sauce, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and turkey

Lunch

Leftover Turkey Salad with Cranberry Vinaigrette

Take your comfort food and turn into something nutritious by topping the salad with leftover turkey and a vinaigrette with leftover cranberry sauce.

Dinner

Mini Turkey Pot Pies with Dressing Tops

Use your leftover turkey in the filling and that extra box of dressing mix to make a crunchy topping for these personal treats.

5. Table Setting

Last but not least, here are three ideas on how to liven up your dinner table and give it that extra flavor.

Center Piece

Give a nod to the Harvest season by pairing your usual autumnal floral arrangements, with this wheat centerpiece. Grab a couple of wheat sheaves, add some autumn leaves, and wrap them together in burlap and satin ribbons.

Place Cards

Make your guests feel even more special and appreciated by replacing the usual black-on-white placeholders. Use Mixbook’s Real Foil Cards to make your own design and add a picture of the guest with a few warm words. The added bonus is that these cards an excellent memento gift that your guests can take home with them.

Kids Table

What’s the surest way to keep your Thanksgiving table arranged just the way you want it to? Give the kids their own table and let them play grownups. Centerpiece? Turn a gourd into a turkey with some googly eye, duct tape, and some fake feathers. Fancy china? Shatter-proof colorful plates. Place cards? Better yet - crayons and paper, they’ll have more fun making their own cards. With this, your kids are good to go till they’ll feel like calling it a night.

What did your Thanksgiving Dinner look like?

How did you decorate and what dishes did your cook at your most memorable Thanksgiving Dinner? We’d love to see them, so drop a comment below or tag us in a post on Instagram with @Mixbook.