Infusing International Flavor to Your Thanksgiving Table

Why not change up the Thanksgiving spread with just a little global flair. As much as I enjoy the classic oven roasted turkey, with the traditional trimmings, it can get pretty tedious eating the same fare year after year. This year just having graduated from one of the top accredited online colleges with a masters degree online, I have decided to infuse flavors from around the globe putting a twist on the most traditional of dishes. So join me for a culinary ride that may leave your guests asking for a third helping.

Roasted turkey stuffed with masa harina, the stuffing normally found in tamale will dazzle your guests when you present it as the centerpiece. The turkey is also marinated in a luscious Mole sauce before being fire roasted. A chile con carne serves as the perfect gravy for this showstopper.

Mashed potatoes French-style can raise the bar for any meal to haute cuisine. Potatoes cooked with crème fraîche and Cantal cheese will leave your guests hungry for more. This dish although very simple to prepare serves as a pallete cleanser between entrées.

Creole green bean casserole is an interesting twist on this Thanksgiving staple. Cayenne pepper and Hungarian paprika add just the zing that this normally bland dish lends itself to. So inject the flavor of the Bayou the next time you make this crowd pleaser.

Curried Swiss chard is a new take on the creamed Swiss chard that has always played a starring role among side dishes. The aromatic flavors of curry infused into the Swiss chard are sure to surprise and delight.

Amaretto pumpkin pie is the Italian version of a Thanksgiving classic. This dessert features amaretti cookies in its crust turning a quintessentially American dish into its Tuscan counterpart.

While there are no hard and fast rules as to what makes up your Thanksgiving feast putting a foreign spin on traditional holiday cooking will give your guests a lot to talk about for a few months to come. So head on over to Chinatown or Little Italy before you throw your apron on this holiday season. Bon Appétit!