Ten Favorite Deliciously Healthy Salads that are Perfect for Thanksgiving

All these deliciously healthy favorite salads would be perfect for Thanksgiving!

The annual food lover's countdown to Thanksgiving has officially begun!  I know there are people who would be happy with just turkey, stuffing, rolls, green bean casserole, and pumpkin pie every year for Thanksgiving dinner, but those people are probably not reading food blogs.  For those of you who love to try just one or two interesting new dishes every year, I've started sharing Thanksgiving suggestions on Facebook (are you following me there?)  I think every Thanksgiving dinner needs a special salad that's just a little bit unusual, so here are ten of my favorites.  (And if you're really in the mood to start planning the menu, take a look at all the Thanksgiving Recipes.)

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Low-Sugar and Whole-Wheat Pumpkin Banana Bread Recipe

This Low-Sugar and Whole-Wheat Pumpkin Banana Bread is hard to resist!

I'm not an expert baker, and when I decide to try to adapt a baking recipe for a low-sugar and whole-grain version, I usually expect it will take several tries to come up with a result that's a winner.  So I was happily surprised when this recipe for Low-Sugar and Whole-Wheat Pumpkin Banana Bread turned out perfectly the first time!  I loved this slightly-sweet pumpkin banana bread, and Jake also pronounced it to be "excellent."  (And he's not a big pumpkin fan, and doesn't always like my low-sugar experiments, so I consider that to be high praise.)

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Spicy Sweet Potato Fries Recipe

These Spicy Sweet Potato Fries are deliciously vegan for Meatless Monday!

(Updated with better photos and step-by-step instructions, November 2013.)  I try to post a meatless main dish every week for Meatless Monday, but some weeks it just doesn't work out.  Last week I tried out an idea for a meatless pasta dish, and it was definitely tasty.  Unfortunately, the photos were so unappetizing that the recipe still needs work.  Luckily, I did manage to get some good photos this week to update this favorite recipe for Spicy Sweet Potato Fries.  The first time I made this recipe, I took one bite and knew immediately I'd be making these sweet potato fries over and over.   My favorite sweet potatoes fries are not only meatless, but this recipe is deliciously vegan.  Who knows, this just might become your favorite way to cook sweet potatoes?

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South Beach Diet Phase One Recipes Round-Up for October 2013 (Low-Glycemic Recipes)

Kalyn's favorite Phase One Recipes for October 2013 were Greek Salad Spaghetti Squash Bowl,  Slow Cooker Chickpea Stew, Chicken Paprikash, and Turkey and Black Bean Mexican Cabbage Bowl.

It's time for the monthly Round-Up of South Beach Diet Phase One Recipes that I've posted during the previous month or spotted on other food blogs.  You can tell it's Fall by scrolling through these recipes; I spotted lots more soups and not many salads, and cauliflower seems to be Veggie of the Month for October.  I doubt many people start a diet in November, so I hope it doesn't seem cruel to draw attention to Phase One when everyone's thinking about Thanksgiving Recipes.  But in January when you're looking for food that's a bit lighter and lower in carbs, you might enjoy looking back through my Low-Glycemic Recipe Round-Ups like this one! (And for those who try to stick to a low-glycemic eating plan even during the holidays, more power to you!  I do my best, but it's hard this time of year.)

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Recipe for Shredded and Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Toasted Almonds and Parmesan

Roasted Brussels Sprouts are a wonderful side dish, so don't save them just for Thanksgiving.

(For Phase One Fridays I highlight Phase One recipes from the past that have been my personal favorites, and these Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Toasted Almonds and Parmesan are amazing.  And since today officially starts the Countdown to Thanksgiving 2013, I'm recommending this recipe as a Thanksgiving side dish.  But don't save them just for Thanksgiving, please try these for dinner soon!)

Now that roasted brussels sprouts have turned me into a brussels sprouts fan, I've been paying attention to how people cook the little guys, and lately I've noticed brussels sprouts being shredded into thin strips. When I looked for recipes, I found shredded pan-fried brussels sprouts, but not shredded and roasted ones, but since I love the leaves that fall off and get extra crispy when you're roasting brussels sprouts, I decided to try it and see how they turned out. I'd say it was a success, since I made these today and ate the entire bowl for lunch! I realize that some families have very determined brussels sprouts haters (and I'm looking at my sister Pam when I say that) but I'm adding this to my growing list of Thanksgiving Recipes as another option if people in your family are open-minded about brussels sprouts.

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Ground Turkey Soup Recipe with Rice, Kale, Mushrooms, and Butternut Squash

I loved the flavors in this Ground Turkey Soup with Rice, Kale, Mushrooms, and Butternut Squash.

For a while now I've been trying to develop a long-term relationship with ground turkey, which I think definitely has the potential to be a bit boring.  I think I'm getting to know ground turkey a little better though, because this year I've had a couple of recipe success stories using it, and this Ground Turkey Soup with Rice, Kale, Mushrooms, and Butternut Squash is definitely another winner.  If there's a secret to ground turkey success, it's to use a lot of other flavorful ingredients with the turkey, and in addition to mushrooms, butternut squash, and kale, this soup has plenty of dried herbs and a generous amount of balsamic vinegar stirred in at the end.  I loved the soup; hope everyone else who's developing an appreciation for ground turkey will enjoy it too.

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Chicken Paprikash Recipe (Paprika Chicken)

Here's my updated recipe for Chicken Paprikash, which is warm and comforting for fall!

(Updated with better photos, a better recipe, and step-by-step instructions October 2013.)  I've been updating photos on my oldest posts for over five years now, and there's something so satisfying about taking a favorite recipe that was hidden away in the archives and showing it off so current readers will want to try it.  Sometimes I decide I can improve the recipe as well, and with this favorite recipe for Chicken Paprikash I realized that now I'd prefer the recipe with less meat and more of the roasted red peppers that make this dish so flavorful.  Of course Chicken Paprikash is a traditional Hungarian dish that usually includes a roux made of flour and chicken fat or butter, but if you like chicken, onions, roasted red peppers, paprika, and sour cream, I bet you'll like my diet-friendly version just as well.

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