The season of Halloween and the small, munchable morsels of sugary flavored sweets that came with it has passed.  While the sweetness and candy which define the month of October have subsided, it doesn’t mean the season for good food ends with it. Now is the time for Halloween’s more filling relative: Thanksgiving.

Although Thanksgiving meals may seem like an impossible feat to tackle because of their complex nature and the amount of people they must serve, WSS has a few November meals and side dishes to try out for this holiday.

Cranberry sauce

Of course, we can not forget the iconic Thanksgiving cranberry sauce. Perhaps the most well-known Thanksgiving food may also be the easiest to make. Here is a recipe for very juicy and simple cranberry sauce to top your turkey with.

Ingredients:

• 12 ounces of cranberries
• 1 cup of sugar
• 2 tablespoons of water
• A pinch of salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Put medium saucepan over medium heat.
2. Add in sugar until it dissolves.
3. Once sugar dissolves add in the rest of the ingredients until mixture thickens.

Mashed potato casserole

For the cheese and potato lovers out there, look no further. The mashed potato casserole is claimed to be one of the best comfort foods around. Perhaps it is the creaminess, or maybe it is just the fact that this side dish can be premade and then heated up whenever you crave it.

Ingredients:

• 3 pounds of potatoes
• 7 tablespoons of butter
• ¾ cup of sour cream
• ¼ cup of milk
• ½ teaspoon of garlic powder
• ¾ teaspoon of salt
• 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese

Topping ingredients (optional and per personal preference):

• ¼ cup of panko
• 1 tablespoon of butter
• 2 tablespoons of chopped chives
• 5 bacon strips (cooked)
• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions:

1. Put chopped and peeled potatoes in a pot. Cover the potatoes with water.
2. Boil the potatoes for about 20 minutes or until they are soft.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
4. Drain the potatoes and then add them to a mixing bowl. Mix in butter, sour cream, milk, garlic powder and salt. You can mix with a potato creamer. If this is not available, use hands or any mixer.
5. Put smooth mixture onto a baking dish.
6. Cook the Panko bread crumbs and butter until they are toasted and sprinkle onto the potato mixture.
7. Put shredded cheese on the potatoes and then cook for 15 minutes until cheese melts.
8. Remove from oven and add in bacon, chives or whatever topping you desire! Some alternative toppings to include are butter, mushrooms, onions, broccoli, etc.

Caramel and apple cake

Looking for a sweet food that can still be a part of the Thanksgiving table? While pies are normally seen as part of the winter festivities, switching up the desserts is always an option. The caramel and apple cake is a simple way to deviate from the social pie norms and still fulfill a sweet tooth.

Ingredients:

• 1 box of vanilla cake mix
• 3 or more tablespoons of apple pie spice
• ½ cup of water
• ⅓ cup of vegetable oil
• 3 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
• 1 20-ounce can of apple pie filling
• 1 cup of caramel sauce
• An 8-ounce container of frozen whipped topping
• ⅔ cup of toffee bits (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Spray a nonstick cooking spray onto a 9 by 13 inch pan.
3. Beat the cake mix, apple pie spice, water, eggs and vanilla for a couple minutes with an electric mixer.
4. Add apple pie filling to the mixture.
5. Pour the batter into pan from step two.
6. Bake in oven for about 30 minutes.
7. Let cake cool for around ten minutes.
8. Top the cake with caramel sauce, whipped topping and toffee.
9. Leftovers last for up to three days in the refrigerator.