From crackling cornbread to pumpkin scones, the very best Bonfire Night and Thanksgiving recipes
- Published
There's a smoky chill in the air and fruit stalls are awash with pumpkins and squashes, which can only mean one thing - winter is coming and before that, Halloween, Bonfire Night and Thanksgiving.
Forget Christmas; October-November time is when die-hard gourmands come into their own. These three occasions offer a triple whammy of opportunity for heartwarming and deliciously moreish seasonal treats.
For Halloween, you have pumpkin scones dripping with maple glaze and hot mulled cider. Bonfire brings with it bangers and creamy mash with caramelised onions and spicy toffee apple cake. And while we're not Americans, we'll definitely take the culinary delights that are cracklin' cornbread with pork rind and white chocolate whoopie pies as an excuse to jump on the Thanksgiving bandwagon.
From wild mushroom melts with gruyere cheese to pasta shells filled with smoked sausage and chocolate caramel pumpkins, come whet your appetite with our gallery of festive dishes for Halloween, Bonfire Night and Thanksgiving. Let the eating commence!
Bangers and mash
The ultimate bonfire night food, coat your sausages in garlic and a drizzle of olive oil and serve alongside creamy mashed potato, caramelised red onions and fried sage leaves.
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Butternut squash mac and cheese sliders
Could there be anymore delicious invention? These butternut squash sliders are oozing with gorgonzola and mozarella, plus baked macaroni for good measure.
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Cracklin' cornbread
Redolent of great Southern hospitality, cracklin' cornbread has all the magic of normal cornbread with pork rinds thrown in. Serve with a large melting knob of butter.
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Extra tasty sausage rolls
You can't do Bonfire Night without a tempting tray of sausage rolls. This version combines cheddar cheese with herbed sausages, chutney and mustard. Mm.
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Pecan strudel cups
Crispy bite-sized puffs of pumpkin puree with chopped pecans and a dollop of whipped cream on top. Count us in.
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Beetroot and feta tart
How could anyone resist a tart this photogenic? Perfect for cool autumn nights.
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Sweet potato mustard hot dogs
Sweet potato mustard is whipped up from bourbon, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar and paprika among other things - making it the perfect punchy garnish for hot dogs.
Source: spicysouthernkitchen.com/Pinterest
Hot apple cider
Gather ye apples and cinnamon sticks for this deliciously warming hot cider formula. Jam jars are optional but definitely picturesque.
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Bacon butternut squash risotto
A creamy, life-affirming dish with chunks of bacon, Parmesan cheese and fresh chopped sage.
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Wild mushroom melts with gruyere cheese
A wonderfully satisfying and photogenic snack, these crostini bites work well with fontina or raclette cheese as well as gruyere.
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Mini Shepherd's Pie Pots
They're cute and undeniably guzzle-able. Mini shepherd's pie pots are a crowd-pleaser like no other.
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Root beer pulled pork sandwiches
The ultimate pulled pork roll - moist and flavourful with infusions of root beer.
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Spiced toffee apple cake
With a handful of toffees, dates and small red apples in the mix, this bonfire night cake is a whole lot easier to eat than toffee apples - but every inch as good.
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Cheesy scalloped potato gratin
A staple for any Thanksgiving table, you can't go wrong with luscious cheesy potato gratin as an autumnal side dish. We could eat it forever.
Source: thecomfortofcooking.com/Pinterest
Sweet corn spoonbread
A US classic, we defy you not to love sweet corn spoonbread at first bite. It's mushy, filling and very easy to make.
Source: southernbite.com/Pinterest
Four cheese and smoked sausage pasta
Seriously now, is there any greater pleasure in life than cheese-stuffed pasta shells? Mozzarella, ricotta, mascarpone, parmesan and smoked sausage roll into one glorious dish here.
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Pumpkin Crème Brûlée
The idea of a pumpkin-flavoured crème brûlée is both chic and comforting and this version is actually vegan, made using non-dairy milk.
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Mexican hot chocolate
A spiced up alcoholic version of your favourite childhood drink, this hot chocolate with a kick features tequila and cayenne pepper.
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Farmer's market cornbread
Make the most of your local farmer's market with this plentiful skillet cornbread made using sweetcorn, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers and sheep's cheese.
Source: bojongourmet.com/Pinterest
Egg and ham stuffed jacket potatoes
You can't go wrong with a good old jacket potato, especially one that's stuffed with cheese, ham and baked egg. Dig in!
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Pumpkin scones with pumpkin maple glaze
Cinnamon, spice and all things nice go into making these gorgeously spicy scones, finished with a drizzling of maple glaze pumpkin puree.
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Homity pie
Homity pie is the king of stomach-pleasing autumn meals - a crusty flan of potato-cheesy-oniony goodness.
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Spicy potato wedges with lime dipping sauce
A sharing dish like no other, delight your guests with these "I just can't stop eating" spicy potato wedges with chilled lime, coconut and paprika dip.
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Chocolate caramel filled pumpkins
Deliciously moreish little pumpkins made with orange colouring, dulce de leche and pumpkin oil.
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Sweet potato and feta tartlets
Simply heap sweet potato and feta on puff pastry pieces and add soured cream and parsley - presto, you have yourself a mouthwatering appetiser.
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Five ingredient steak hash
It's a doddle to make and this warming steak hash dish is bound to bring a glow to hungry stomachs.
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White chocolate brownie whoopie pies
The very definition of indulgent, these whoopie pies are created with heavy whipping cream, white chocolate and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Yum.
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