Thanksgiving is the time to spend with family and friends and giving thanks, but more importantly it is a time for food.

When one thinks of Thanksgiving they picture a nice, big, turkey, covered with gravy, with a side of mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and a nice big slice of pumpkin pie. But, Bear Facts put together a list of some alternative recipes to enjoy this Thanksgiving!

Drink-Pumpkin White Hot Chocolate:

Although hot chocolate may be a thanksgiving staple, this pumpkin white hot chocolate is perfect to help wash down your thanksgiving meal. This recipe is also a great way to spice up your normal hot chocolate! 

Ingredients:

• 3 cup Milk
• 1 cup Pumpkin Puree
• 1 tsp store bought Pumpkin Pie Spice or Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice
• 1 pinch Salt
• 1 tsp Vanilla
• 1 cup White Chocolate Chips
• Whipped cream (optional)

Procedure:
In a medium sized pan pour in your milk, pumpkin purée, pumpkin pie spice, salt, and the vanilla. Heat over a medium heat and whisk until the mixture begins to simmer.

Then add in your white chocolate chips and stir until they are melted. Lastly, pour into cups and top the drink off with whipped cream and a dash of pumpkin pie spice.

recipe by: https://cincyshopper.com/pumpkin-white-hot-chocolate/

Appetizer-Homemade Chips and Chipotle Guacamole: 

Before you get into the main meal, you may want  something light to kick it off. This guacamole recipe if perfect to get your tummy warmed up for the main course! 

Ingredients:

• 6 large flour tortillas, each cut into 6 wedges
• 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tsp. zest and 1 Tbsp. juice from 2 limes, divided
• 2 large fully ripe avocados
• 1/4 cup Renée’s Chipotle Caesar Dressing
• 2 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 Tbsp. finely chopped red onions
• 1/4 tsp. ground cumin

Procedure:
Heat your oven to 400°F and toss the tortilla wedges with oil in large bowl. Then, place them in a single layer on 2 parchment-covered baking sheets and sprinkle them with lime zest.

After, bake the wedges for 10 to 12 minutes or until they are crisp and golden brown. When the time is over, move then to wire rack and let them cool completely. 

Then, mash the avocados with dressing and lime juice until it is blended, but chunky. Stir in cilantro, onions and cumin and serve the guacamole with tortilla chips.

http://www.kraftcanada.com/recipes/easy-homemade-tortilla-chips-chipotle-guacamole-190190

Main course-Honey Garlic Salmon:

Instead of the Turkey this year, this salmon recipe gives you a fresh alternative to the usually thanksgiving dinner. With this recipe you can spice up your Thanksgiving! 

Ingredients: 

• 1 1/4 pounds salmon fillets
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
• lemon wedges (optional)

Procedure: 

First, heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium high heat and season the salmon with salt and pepper to taste. Place the salmon skin side up in the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes per side or until the fish is cooked through. 

Then, remove the salmon from the pan and place on a plate and cover with foil to keep warm. After, add the garlic to the pan and cook the fish for 30 seconds. Add the water, soy sauce and honey to the pan and bring it to a simmer. 

In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water and slowly pour the cornstarch mixture into the pan and whisk to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook for 1 minute or until sauce has just thickened. Return the salmon to the pan and spoon the sauce over the top. Lastly, sprinkle the fish with parsley and serve with lemon wedges if desired.

https://www.dinneratthezoo.com/honey-garlic-salmon/

Dessert-Pistachio Baklava:

When it comes to dessert, you can take a break from the pie with this tasty baklava recipe. You can even impress your friends and family with this tasty dish! 

Ingredients: 

• 1/2 cup butter (melted)
• 1 (16-ounce) package phyllo dough (thawed)
• 3/4 cup unsalted pistachio nuts (finely chopped)
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup honey
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice

Procedure:

Preheat the oven to 350 F and butter a 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan. In a bowl, combine pistachio nuts and butter and take eight sheets of phyllo dough and layer them in the pan, spreading each sheet with melted butter. Then spread about half of the nut mixture over the phyllo dough and cover it with a buttered sheet of phyllo dough. Layer five more sheets of phyllo dough, buttering each sheet. Then, add the remaining nut mixture and layer with the remaining sheets of phyllo dough, buttering each sheet. 

After, using a knife, cut the baklava into 1 1/2-inch diamonds and bake them for about 50 minutes or until they appear to be golden brown. About 30 minutes before Baklava is finished, combine sugar, honey, cinnamon, and lemon juice for glaze in a small saucepan and bring to a boil, making sure that the sugar is completely dissolved. Reduce the heat and allow the mixture to simmer for 5 minutes. When Baklava is finished cooking, drizzle syrup over top and let the dish cool before you serve.