Thanksgiving Archives - Romantic Homes

By Kris Christensen / Photography by Courtney Allison

Courtney’s elegant outdoor Thanksgiving feast is an enchanting sight to behold

As we gather together today to honor traditions, make new memories and eat delicious food, we are reminded of how much we have to be grateful for. Thanksgiving could not be complete without the ritual of each person sharing their list of blessings in turn. When our opportunities to speak approach, we are by no means at a loss for words.

We will start with gratitude for the support and encouragement of the wonderful people who surround us and fill each day with such beautiful inspiration. Next, we will reference each exciting opportunity we’ve had to go somewhere we’ve never been and try something new that we’ve never done before. And how could we end before mentioning the joys and challenges that came with making a house feel like a home each season in 2017?

This year, we’re especially thankful for YOU! Thank you for inspiring us with your impeccable taste, thank you for joining us as we continue to explore and discover and thank you for so graciously inviting us into your homes to share this experience together. Happy Thanksgiving!

Sincerely,

Courtney, Margie and Kris

Kris Christensen, Thanksgiving

By Elise Portale / Photography by Henry De Kuyper

1 of 4

1
Pie Dough Cut Outs

All you need is a roll of frozen pie dough and your favorite cookie cutters to take a plain bakery pie from “blah” to “hurrah”!

Prep: 5 minutes
Bake: 10–15 minutes
Cool: 30 minutes

What you’ll need:

1–2 rounds pre-made pie dough
1 (9-inch) pumpkin pie
1 egg
Turbinado sugar (optional)

What you’ll do:
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
  Using fall-themed cookie cutters (such as maple leaves or pumpkins), cut out as many dough shapes as desired.
2. Arrange them on the pie to compose your own design.
3. In a small dish, beat the egg with 1 tablespoon of water until well mixed.
4. Using a pastry brush, brush the egg wash over the dough shapes. Then sprinkle turbinado sugar on the shapes, if desired.
5. Bake the pie on the top rack until the dough become golden brown.
2
Easy Meringue Topping

Think meringue is just for lemon meringue pies? Think again! This fluffy topping is a lighter-than-air alternative to whipped cream.

Prep: 5 minutes
Bake: 7–8 minutes

What you’ll need:

4 egg whites
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
Pinch of salt
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (9-inch) pumpkin pie

What you’ll do:
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. In a large mixing bowl, beat the egg whites until they start to foam. Add in the cream of tartar and salt. Continue beating until soft peaks form, about 1 minute.
3. Add in the sugar a tablespoon at a time, mixing on high until stiff peaks form. Add in the vanilla and mix for another 30 seconds.
4. Using a spatula, layer the meringue on the top of the pie, spreading right up to the crust. Pull the spatula upward to create peaks.
5. Bake until the peaks of the meringue turn light brown, 7–8 minutes. Watch carefully, as meringue burns quickly. Serve within 1 hour or refrigerate for up to 1 day.
3
Dark Chocolate Ganache Topping

The bitterness of ultra-dark chocolate cuts the sweetness of the pie, but you can always add a dollop of whipped cream to mellow things out again.

Prep: 2 minutes
Simmer: 5 minutes
Chill: 1 hour

What you’ll need:

8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1 cup heavy cream
1 (9-inch) pumpkin pie

What you’ll do:
1. In a medium mixing bowl, set aside the chocolate.
2. In a small saucepan, heat the cream over medium-low, stirring occasionally, until the cream starts to simmer. (Do not let the cream boil.) Immediately remove from the heat and pour the cream over the chocolate. Let sit for 2 minutes, then whisk until smooth and creamy.
3. Slowly pour the ganache over the top of the pie, smoothing with a spatula so that the ganache extends all the way to the crust.
Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.
4

Bourbon Caramel Topping

Maybe we’re biased, but bourbon caramel might just be the Best Pumpkin Pie Topping. Follow the link to find the recipe and two sprinkle options that give a classic pumpkin pie two completely different looks.

autumn, Dessert, Elise Portale, Fall, Pie, Pumpkin Pie, Recipe, Thanksgiving

By Elise Portale

Pumpkin pie with bourbon caramel topping and gold dragées. — Want to skip the bourbon and go for a classic caramel flavor? Swap it out with 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.

It’s pumpkin season! As you savor your pumpkin spice latte and make your pumpkin soup, don’t forget to top things off with the quintessential fall dessert: pumpkin pie. We could have kept it unadorned for a classic look, but instead, we opted for decadence with bourbon caramel topping. Even better? You’ve got options! This sauce is only one of four recipes for elevating a store-bought pie with home-made flavor!

Roasted pepitas give this decadent pie a rustic look and a hint of salty flavor — Roasted peptitas are an excellent alternative to gold dragées. Choose these for a hint of salt with your caramel and a more rustic look to the pie.

Pumpkin Pie with Bourbon Caramel Topping

What You’ll Need:

½ cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons (¼ stick) unsalted butter, cut into ½-inch pieces
¼–½ teaspoon Kosher salt (depending on salt preference)
1 cup heavy cream
¼ cup bourbon (optional)
Pumpkin pie, homemade or store bought
Gold dragées, for decoration or roasted pepitas

What You’ll Do:

In a large saucepan over medium, heat the sugar, butter and salt until the butter melts and the sugar darkens around the edges, 3–4 minutes.
Whisking constantly, slowly stream in the cream until well combined (some sugar will seize at first). Let the mixture simmer until it begins to thicken, about 10 minutes.
Whisk in the bourbon and simmer until the mixture is just below the soft-ball stage (200–225°F) on a candy thermometer, another 10 minutes. Remove the mixture from the heat and let it rest for 1 minute before pouring it on top of the pie, tilting to spread the caramel to the crust.
Let the caramel set for 5 minutes; then sprinkle on gold dragées or pepitas. Let pie chill for 1 hour before serving.

Dining, Elise Portale, Entertaining, Fall, Pie, pumpkin, Recipe, Thanksgiving

By Katie French / Photography by Jaimee Itagaki / Styling by Jaimee Itagaki

Nothing complements a fall afternoon quite like a warm mug of apple cider. Not only is it a comfort for the soul but for the body as well. This ancient drink is low in calories but high in antioxidants. Refrain from the urge to tear that packet of powdery mix. Just follow these simple steps to make your own, authentic cider.

Apple Cider Recipe — With its delicious flavor and rich aroma, it is no wonder hot apple cider is a welcoming addition to the season.

Ingredients:

1 gallon apple juice or apple cider
1/2 cup brown sugar
Cinnamon sticks
1 teaspoon whole cloves
1 teaspoon whole allspice
1/2 cup orange peel, cut into strips
1/2 cup lemon peel, cut into strips
Large stock pot or crock pot

Directions:

Pour one gallon of fresh cider or juice into pot or slow cooker.
Add a half cup of brown sugar.
Place cloves, allspice, orange and lemon peels, and cinnamon sticks on a square of cheesecloth and tie up. Add to the pot. (Coffee filters or a tea ball can be substituted for the cheesecloth).
In a crock pot: heat for 2 hours.
In a regular pot: heat the cider to a boil, stirring regularly. Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Remove the spices from the pot and serve.

Tips and twists:

For a different flavor, add cranberry juice.

For decoration, float orange slices in the pot or a whole apple, studded with cloves.

For kids: serve each mug with a cinnamon stick, kids love using them as straws.

For Adults: add a splash of rum or brandy to really spice things up.

autumn, Fall, Jaimee Itagaki, Katie French, Party, Recipe, Rustic, Thanksgiving

[Entertain]

Giving Thanks

4 Homemade Upgrades to Your Store Bought Pumpkin Pie

Pie Dough Cut Outs

What you’ll need:

What you’ll do:

Easy Meringue Topping

What you’ll need:

What you’ll do:

Dark Chocolate Ganache Topping

What you’ll need:

What you’ll do:

Bourbon Caramel Topping