A Few Recipes and a Thanksgiving Plea

It’s exactly a week until the big day. If you’re the person I aim to be, you already have your menu planned, your grocery lists made and a few trips to the store scheduled. If you are me, you’re only just now realizing that all of your grandiose ideas must now somehow come to fruition and land on an actual plate — meaning, you’re overwhelmed.

This year, my family is heading up to the city to spend Thanksgiving with my aunt, cousin and I. While our menu is still coming together, here are a few recipes that I think would be welcome at any Thanksgiving spread — and hopefully, if my cooking is deemed passable by my much more qualified mom and aunt, ours.

Starters:

Warm Cauliflower Salad with Chevre

Spinach Salad with Bacon and Goat Cheese

Sides:

Carrots with Sausage and Rosemary

Cumin-Scented Butternut Squash Couscous

Rosemary Roasted Potatoes

Cider-Braised Swiss Chard with Apples

And a little something something for the morning after:

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Maple Cream Cheese Filling

Buttermilk scones

Apple Yogurt Cake

Vanilla Orange Buttermilk Cake

As for that plea — I have to work all day next Thursday, so I’m looking for desserts/sides/appetizers that can be made in advance. I should be able to cook Wednesday night, but would prefer to start “building components” throughout next week. Please save me from a night spent frantically in the kitchen and send me your no-doubt fabulous ideas!