How to Have A Hill Country Thanksgiving Meal!

By Ashlee Kirkland

Do you smell that? Its time for our tastesbuds’ favorite hoilday of the year, Thanksgiving! There are so many timeless traditional recipes for Thanksgiving, but how about trying something new this year? Here are some different Hill Country style recipes to bring to your table this year. Hope you’re hungry… enjoy!

Save the Oven Space – Throw the Turkey on the Grill

Photo and recipe courtesy of: “Christine” at allrecipes.com

12 pounds whole Turkey

1 tablespoon of vegetable oil

1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning

Salt and pepper to taste

First fire up an outdoor grill for indirect medium-high heat. While heating prepare turkey by rinsing and pat dry. Turn wings back to hold neck skin in place then turn legs to tucked position. Brush turkey with oil and then season turkey inside and out with Italian seasonings, salt, and pepper. Brush with melted butter while cooking to make turkey extra moist and skin extra golden. Once turkey is prepped and ready to go place it breast side up on the heated grill inside a large roasting pan. Grill 2 to 3 hours, to an internal temperature of 180 degrees F. Remove turkey from grill and let rest for 15 minutes before indulging.

Make Jalapeno Cornbread Instead of Boring Rolls

Photo: “Chrisholly8228” at allrecipes.com, Recipe by: “hotsauce” at allrecipes.com

2/3 cup of softened butter

2/3 cup of white sugar

2 cups cornmeal

1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour

4 ½ teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

3 large eggs

1 2/3 cups of milk

1 cup of chopped jalapeno

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and then grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Then beat margarine and sugar together in a large bowl until smooth. Combine cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and salt in another bowl. In a third bowl stir eggs and milk. Pour 1/3 of the milk mixture and 1/3 of the flour mixture alternately into margarine mixture; whisk until just mixed. Continue with the rest of the ingredients and finish up by mixing in the jalapenos. Then spread mixture evenly into your prepared baking dish. Bake in preheated oven for 22 to 26 minutes. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes before slicing.

Instead of Mashed Potatoes, Try Red Potato Salad

Photo: “Latinacook” at allrecipes.com, Recipe by: “Icancook” at allrecipes.com

10 cut up red potatoes

3 hardboiled eggs, chopped

½ stock of celery, chopped

¼ cup of green onion

3 slices cooked bacon, chopped

1 cup of mayo

Salt and pepper and olive oil to taste

First preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spread potato pieces onto a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Roast in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. Once potatoes are fork tender remove them from oven and let cool for at least 15 minutes. Place the roasted potatoes into a large salad bowl and combine with hardboiled eggs, celery, green onion, and bacon; stir in mayonnaise and season to taste with salt and black pepper. Then cover and refrigerate for 1 hour to let flavors marinate together.

Try Another Spin on Potatoes with Jalapeno Poppers

Photo and Recipe: “Idahoan” at allrecipes.com

1 (4 ounce) package of Idahoan four cheese potatoes

16 fresh jalapenos

32 slices of bacon

Prepare mashed potatoes by following the package directions then set aside to cool. Next cut the jalapenos lengthwise and remove the seeds and membrane. Once jalapenos are cleaned stuff them with 2 tablespoons each with the mashed potatoes and wrap with a bacon slice. Broil until bacon is cooked and crisp.

Pour Some Bourbon into the Classic Pecan Pie

Photo: “JMS3125” at allrecipes.com, Recipe by: “Kimberly1017” at allrecipes.com

½ cup of brown sugar

½ cup of white sugar

3 tablespoons of melted butter

½ a cup of light corn syrup

3 eggs beaten

2 tablespoons of bourbon

2 cups pecan halves

1 (9 inch) uncooked pie crust

First preheat an oven to 375 degrees. While oven is preheating mix the white sugar, brown sugar, and butter together in a bowl. Next stir in the corn syrup followed by the eggs and then the bourbon. Lastly stir in the pecans and pour mixture onto pie crust. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes then reduce the heat to 350 degrees F, continue to bake for another 25 minutes. Once the pie has set, let cool.

Creamed Corn Crockpot Style

Photo: “Molly” at allrecipes.com, Recipe by: “Dotte” at allrecipes.com

1 ¼ cup of frozen corn kernels

1 (8 ounce) package of cream cheese

½ cup of milk

½ cup of butter

1 tablespoon of white sugar

Salt and pepper to taste

In a slow cooker, combine corn, cream cheese, butter, milk, and sugar then season with salt and pepper. Cook on High for 2 to 4 hours, or on Low for 4 to 6 hours.

Why Have Regular Old Stuffing? Try Bacon-Jalapeno Texas-Style Stuffing!

Photo: Karl Juengel, Recipe by: Food Network Magazine

¼ pound diced bacon

2 tablespoons butter

1 diced onion

3 celery stalks

1 jalapeno

1 tablespoon thyme

¾ teaspoon chili powder

3 cups chicken broth

2 eggs

1 cup pepper jack cheese

8 cups toasted white bread cubes

6 cups crumbled cornbread

Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. On the stove top in a large skillet, sauté bacon in butter for 5 minutes then place bacon on paper towels drain excess grease. In the same skillet add onion, celery, jalapeno, thyme, chili powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook for 5 minutes then pour in chicken broth and let simmer.

In a large bowl mix the eggs, pepper jack cheese, and bacon. Once mixed then add toasted white bread crumbs and crumbled cornbread along with hot simmering mixture. Toss all ingredients together and spread into a buttered 9×13 inch baking dish. Drizzle turkey or butter drippings on top. Cover and bake for 30 minutes; then uncover and bake for an additional 20 minutes until golden brown.