4 Mouthwatering and Festive Fall Menus

Thanksgiving is the perfect opportunity to add some variety to the table. Here are four menus that celebrate the comforting flavours of fall, from pumpkin and squash to apple and pecan.

1. Traditional Menu

Thanksgiving classics give way to seasonal produce. The turkey, the real star of the feast, is served whole, often accompanied by a meat stuffing. Potatoes, roasted or mashed, remain a must, while fall veggies—glazed carrots, soft squash, roasted Brussels sprouts, and more—round out every plate.

Starter

• Pumpkin Soup
  A velvety soup with a hint of nutmeg signals the autumn season.

Main

• Roast Turkey and Sides
  The classic of classics: turkey with colourful beets, maple-roasted squash and creamy mashed potatoes.

Dessert

• Apple Pie
  A classic seasonal dessert that brings together young and old alike.

Check out These Recipes:

2. Vegetarian Menu

Pass on the traditional turkey in favour of vegetarian dishes that are packed with flavour, whether that be sweet (maple, honey, apple) or spicy (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger). The list of recipes to prepare includes vegetable gratins, curries, stews and sweet or savoury pies that celebrate our local harvest.

Starter

• Tomato Tarts
  A golden puff pastry filled with confit tomatoes, melted cheese and herbs for a refined vegetarian starter.

Main

• Pumpkin, Squash and Vegetable Gratin
  This mixture of pumpkin, squash, parsnips and celeriac is made into a comforting gratin, making this the ideal recipe for a convivial vegetarian feast.

Dessert

• Pecan Pie
  A festive, timeless dessert that combines crunchy pecans with a sweet filling.

Check out These Recipes:

2. Friendsgiving Menu

Thanksgiving is also an opportunity to gather friends around the table in a relaxed atmosphere where everyone is invited to pitch in. The friendsgiving formula favours conviviality and sharing rather than a more formal presentation. Comforting no-frills dishes (squash tacos, chicken casserole, mac'n cheese, etc.) are in order, as are easy-to-prepare sweets.

Aperitif to Share

• Cheese and Charcuterie Platter
  Pair with fresh fruit, nuts, artisanal jams and a variety of condiments (salsa, pesto, onion confit) or your favourite chutney recipe.

Main

• Oven-Roasted Turkey
  Turkey, ready to reheat in the oven in just five minutes, will exceed everyone’s expectations.

Sides

• Warm Sweet Potato, Apple and Kale Salad
  This simple, colourful salad brings together everyone’s favourite fall flavours: sweet potatoes, apples and kale.

Dessert

• Maple & Apple Carrot Cake
  The fall version of carrot cake—with the addition of apples and a maple syrup walnut filling—is the perfect treat to end the dinner in style.

Check out These Recipes:

4. Menu Revisited

This menu takes classic dishes and transforms them with a modern, creative or unexpected touch. You can revisit a menu by changing certain ingredients, using different cooking techniques or integrating flavours from elsewhere, fresh herbs or new spices. It’s a tribute to tradition, but with a new interpretation that will surprise your guests.

Starter

• Autumn Oyster Soup
  This creamy soup is served with oysters for a contrast of texture and complex taste.

Main

• Cajun Turkey Breast
  Turkey and sweet potatoes are cut into cubes here and marinated in a slightly sweet chili sauce spiked with Cajun spices before cooking.

Dessert

• Apple Bundles
  A crispy delight with its phyllo dough and its filling of fondant apples and dulce de leche, this dessert delights gourmets with every bite.

Check out These Recipes: