Whether you're planning a Friendsgiving celebration (Thanksgiving celebrated with friends) just for kids or looking for ways to make "the kids table" exciting, these delicious recipes and fun activities will make the whole family want to get involved. There’s something extra special and adorable about items in miniature sizes. Take apple pie, for example. What child wouldn’t love a miniature apple pie that doesn’t have to be shared with anyone? What adult wouldn’t, for that matter. However you choose to celebrate, make time to express gratitude for friends!
RECIPES
This following three recipes and photos are compliments of "The Recipe-A-Day Kids Cookbook" by Food Network Magazine.
Turkey Veggie Platter
Preheat the oven to 450 ̊F. Toss 3 bunches small rainbow carrots with 1 tablespoon olive oil and ½ teaspoon kosher salt on a baking sheet. Roast until tender, turning once, about 15 minutes. Set a small bowl of hummus on the bottom half of a large round platter; decorate to look like a turkey using 1 small sprig parsley, 2 black olive slices, 1 jarred roasted red pepper strip, 1 triangle-shaped carrot slice and 2 carrot stems. Arrange the roasted carrots around the bowl to look like feathers.
Thanksgiving Sodas
Make one of these flavored syrups, then stir a few tablespoons into a glass of seltzer.
For apple-pomegranate soda: Bring 1 cup each apple juice, pomegranate juice and water, and ¼ cup sugar to a boil, then simmer until syrupy, about 1 hour. Let cool.
For spiced cran-grape soda: Bring 1 cup water, ¾ cup each white cranberry juice and white grape juice, ½ cup pear juice, ¼ cup sugar, 1 teaspoon lemon juice and ¼ teaspoon apple pie spice to a boil, then simmer until syrupy, about 1 hour. Let cool.
For pecan pie soda: Bring 2½ cups water, ½ cup each toasted pecans and maple syrup, ¼ cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon each vanilla and lemon juice, and a pinch of salt to a boil. Simmer until syrupy, about 40 minutes, then strain and let cool.
Mini Apple Pies
Preheat the oven to 375 ̊F. Heat 4 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 pounds chopped peeled apples, ½ cup sugar, 1 tablespoon lemon juice and a pinch of salt and cook until tender, 10 minutes. Stir in 1 tablespoon flour and ½ teaspoon cinnamon; let cool. Cut out twelve 4-inch rounds of refrigerated pie dough and press each into a muffin cup; slice the scraps into strips. Add the apple filling and top with the dough strips to form a lattice. Brush the dough with beaten egg and dot with butter. Bake until the crusts are browned, 35 to 40 minutes.
Mini Green Bean Casseroles are from the cookbook Super Quick Muffin Tin Meals by Melanie LaDue. This recipe and photo is printed with permission from Race Point Publishing, an imprint of Quarto Publishing Group.
Mini Green Bean Casseroles
Makes 8
1 (15 oz.) can refrigerated biscuits
1 (12-oz.) can green beans, drained
½ can cream of mushroom soup
¼ cup milk
¼ cup canned French fried onions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray eight regular size muffin cups with cooking spray.
- Roll each biscuit into a ball and press one ball into each muffin cup, pressing the dough up onto the sides. Mix green beans, mushroom soup, and milk in a medium bowl and spoon evenly into muffin tins. Top with French fried onions and bake 10-12 minutes, until biscuits are golden brown.
- Using a knife or mini metal spatula, transfer the mini casseroles to a platter and serve immediately.
Turkey Stuffing Bites
Turkey Stuffing Bites are from the cookbook Super Quick Muffin Tin Meals by Melanie LaDue. This recipe and photo is printed with permission from Race Point Publishing, an imprint of Quarto Publishing Group.
Makes 12
1 (8 oz.) package refrigerated Crescent Recipe Creations (seamless dough sheet)
1 (6 oz.) package instant stuffing mix
2 cups cooked turkey, diced
¼ cup store-bought turkey gravy
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 12 regular size muffin cups with cooking spray.
- Unroll crescent roll sheet and cut into 12 equal squares. Place a square into each muffin cup and press down, keeping the dough pressed against the sides.
- Prepare the stuffing according to package directions. Spoon a tablespoon of stuffing into each muffin cup. Divide diced turkey among cups and top with ½ tablespoon gravy. Bake 10-12 minutes, until roll is golden brown.
- Remove the tin from the oven. Using a knife or mini metal spatula, transfer bites to plates. Serve immediately.
Tip: Top with a scoop of cranberry relish for the perfect Thanksgiving leftover meal.
CRAFTS/ACTIVITIES for Friendsgiving
Edible Sand Art
Layer colored sanding sugar in small glass bottles. For a gift or a place card, write the name on a tag, then tie the tag to the bottle neck with twine. This project and photo is compliments of "The Recipe-A-Day Kids Cookbook" by Food Network Magazine.
Thanksgiving Party Crackers
Make Thanksgiving party crackers to decorate and identify each place setting at the table. Fill with notes of gratitude or Thanksgiving jokes for fun. Find instructions and filler ideas from "Art with Alyssa" HERE.
Find more seasonal recipes, crafts and activities in our Thanksgiving Round-Up.
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