A Cozy Thanksgiving

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of ACME Markets. All opinions are 100% mine.

Planning ahead for a holiday can be daunting task. However, it can also be a lot of fun! Giving yourself time to plan and prep prior to the day helps you enjoy your family time as well. Regardless of the number of people you are having, or not making a special dinner should still be the centerpiece of the Thanksgiving holiday. Making a little extra for leftovers is never a bad idea either.

The first thing you always think of is the Turkey! If you do not plan on having a large group, maybe this is the year you can reimagine your turkey dinner! Perhaps, you consider a turkey breast or working with Turkey cutlets. You could opt to make turkey cutlets with a cranberry and rosemary cream sauce. Or maybe you go with more of a roast . Whichever you choose, you can find the perfect cut by consulting with your butcher at your local ACME Markets They are always so helpful and you can place a custom order a head of time to make things even easier. You can also order your entire Thanksgiving meal from the comfort of your own home through Order ahead. Maybe this is the year you can completely leave out the hustle and bustle and order your whole meal. Acme Market's Order Ahead option has made fresh in store side dishes, platters, and party trays so the only prep you need to do is pressing send on your order! You can also use Pick Up or Grocery Delivery. Or try going ahead of time during the times when you know your local store is quieter. Stock up on everything you need before the typical big rush! I shopped at ACME Markets in my local area, but you can also find quality Thanksgiving essentials at the Albertsons Companies family of stores, including Albertsons, Safeway, ACME Markets, Jewel-Osco, Vons, Randalls, Shaw’s Supermarket, Star Market, and Tom Thumb.

You may be one of those people who can skip the turkey and pile your plate up with sides. I am sure you wouldn't be alone in this. If you are having a smaller scale dinner try picking one starch and one green. Maybe have your family members vote days prior. Or try roasting a tray of root vegetables for a colorful array instead of focusing on just one. Is it time to give your family favorite a new spin? Maybe you try smashed potatoes instead of mashed. Or a Maple Miso Acorn Squash instead of your typical butternut. The recipe is super easy and I have included it below for you. Acme Markets always has a variety of fresh produce to choose from.

No Thanksgiving dinner is complete with out the dessert table and baked goods. Having good dinner rolls on the table are a must. Acme Market's has a great bakery section filled with delicious dinner rolls and breads. Of course, there is pumpkin or pecan pie. Take your pick, or just for both like we do in our house! Don't forget to pick up some ice cream for those who want an extra indulgence, 'tis the season! I also like to have ready made sugar cookie dough available for the kids. That way they can decorate cookies as a craft and then it doubles as dessert!

In terms of leftovers, there are two ways to approach them. The first is freezing certain items. Make sure you have freezer friendly containers and way to label them with the date. I use masking tape and a sharpie, it works just fine. The other thing you can do is maybe share with an elderly neighbor or a family who you know could use some extra. Giving to others is a great way to make your holiday even more memorable. There are also many different ways to repurpose your food. Maybe you are going to trim the next day and Thanksgiving nachos layered with chips, cheese, gravy, potatoes, and shredded turkey meat would be the perfect snack. Or maybe two nights later a turkey pot pie would be what you crave while watching Christmas movies! Be intentional and creative in the kitchen with your leftovers!

No matter how you chose to celebrate, plan to be present. Whether that means spending time in your kitchen with your family or cuddling on the couch because you pre-ordered. Thanksgiving is still a time to eat good and reflect on what there is to be thankful for, no matter what the circumstances.

Maple Miso Acorn Squash

1/4 cup olive oil

1 tbsp maple syrup

1 1/2 tsp white miso paste

2 tsp smoked paprika

1/2 tsp kosher salt

1/8 tsp pepper

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper

2. Cut the acorn squash into half moon shapes. Cut off the top and bottom of the acorn squash. Then cut in half. Be careful as acorn squash can be quite tough to cut through. Make sure you are using a sharp serrated knife. Once cut in half, scoop out the seeds and discard. Then lay one half, cut side down. Slice into half moon type rounds. About 1.4 inch thick.

3. In a medium sized mixing bowl, whisk together all of the ingredients. Break up the miso with the whisk. The mixture thickens as you whisk it. Place acorn squash slices in the bowl, then toss to coat.

4. Pour out the acorn squash onto the prepared baking sheet. Place in the oven at for about 20 minutes. until the squash is fork tender. Serve immediately.