The November problem: too many must-make recipes, not enough days. Here are a few I’m definitely making room for.
Thanksgiving dominates November, and for good reason ~ it’s the biggest meal of the year, and those once-a-year favorites are already looming large. But November has 29 other days, and I don’t know about you, but I like to eat on those days, too. Here’s a quick rundown of what I can’t wait to make this month.
1. Dublin Coddle (a feast in a pot)
I’m a big fan of one pot meals and hearty stews ~ I love the idea of everything simmering away together in one spot. Pair this Irish classic with soda bread or biscuits and you’ve got a November feast.
- Easy Biscuits ~ I make extra and freeze them, unbaked. Pull out what you need and bake later.
- How to Make Soda Bread ~ 6 Ways
2. Baked Brie (fridge to table in minutes)
This is crazy easy, the cheese does all the work ~ just pop it in the oven for a few minutes and you look like a world class chef. Everybody’s happy.
I actually have several baked Brie recipes that include toppings like roasted cranberries, apples, or figs, etc., but most often I’ll just bake it plain ~ hot gooey Brie is excitement enough, and allows me to show off my favorite extras on the platter.
3. Chocolate Ganache Tart (effortlessly elegant)
I’ve been making this forever and there’s fun in using different types of chocolate (think single-origin, bean-to-bar, extra-dark, or even a good milk chocolate.)
Different cookies can be used for the crumb crust (gingersnaps, vanilla wafers, mint wafers, etc.) so this simple tart can really become your own.
I make an espresso ganache tart too!
4. Cranberry Pie (IYKYK)
This has to be the prettiest pie ever invented. It makes an extra dramatic statement on the Thanksgiving table where the color palette tends toward the many shades of brown.
The glossy cranberry curd is the star of the show but don’t discount that crumbly gingersnap crust ~ it’s drama upon drama with this dessert.
November is my pie month
- Maple Frangipane Pecan Pie (sooo much better than pecan pie, trust me!)
- Libby’s Pumpkin Pie Recipe (the label doesn’t tell you everything)
- Rustic Apple Galette (the chic way to do apple pie)
5. Indian Pudding (America’s oldest dessert!)
I’ve loved this old fashioned dessert since I was a little girl, and really the only time I ever get to enjoy it in right now, in November. There’s something about the combination of cornmeal and molasses that gets me every time. (It inspired my molasses cornbread, too.) The scoop of vanilla ice cream just sends it right over the top.
I love it so much I make a Pumpkin Indian Pudding, too.
6. Mulled Wine Cranberry Sauce (my forever cranberry sauce)
I used to try to come up with a new variation on cranberry sauce every year. No more, this is the one.
The mulled wine base gives it such a deep but soft and aromatic festive flavor. If you don’t do wine just use orange juice or cranberry juice in its place.
Cranberries perk up every meal, I ♥️ them.
6. Favorite Green Bean Casserole from scratch! (if you make nothing else…)
I could eat this every night for the rest of my life. Everything about it is perfection ~ from those crispy fried shallots to the creamy mushroom sauce ~ nothing comes from a can.
You only do this once a year, so do it right.
