Image by: DESSART//

Whether if it is the time we spend with our loved ones, the abundance of great food, the season of giving, or simply getting in the holiday spirit, but Thanksgiving Day no matter when you celebrate it holds such an incredible meaning. For Americans, the fourth Thursday in November, is when we celebrate this sentimental holiday. We all have our own traditions for this holiday. My family’s traditions tend to vary each Thanksgiving from attending the parade to planning our Black Friday shopping.

It is also the season of giving and the City University of New York (CUNY) has a program dedicated in aiding the less fortunate by way of book drives, food drives, and toy drives that benefit families to receive support in items they cannot readily afford on the daily basis. CUNY Cares is hosting a toy drive that will donate new toys to thousands of New Yorkers who are currently relying on the city’s homeless shelters to still have the chance to enjoy the holidays.

Thanksgiving is also surrounded by the limitless amount of excellent tasting food that encouraging the gathering of our friends, family, and loved ones. Here are some recipes that are guaranteed to impress your guests this Thanksgiving:

Baked Apple Roses

Image by: DilettaManfredi

Ingredients: (yields six roses)

-4 apples, cored and halved (leave the skin on)

-Juice from 1/2 lemon

-3 Tbsp fruit preserves (apricot, raspberry, etc.)

-2 Tbsp water (plus more for apple soak)

-1 sheet of puff pastry

-Cinnamon, to taste

Instructions:

– Preheat Oven to 375 degrees

– Put apple slices in microwave safe bowl. Fill bowl with water and juice from half a lemon. Use enough water to make sure apple slices are covered by water. Microwave for 3 minutes. This will soften the apple slices and make them more pliable for rolling up.

– Next grab a sheet of puff pastry. Flour your board and roll out the puff pastry enough to make 6 strips at 3 inches wide.

– In a bowl mix your favorite fruit preserves with a couple tablespoons of water. Then spoon out the preserves in the center of the strip of puff pastry.

– Next place the apple slices long ways halfway on the strip. Keep adding slices until you reach the end. Then fold the puff pastry over the bottom of the apple slices.

– Roll up the puff pastry and place in a greased muffin tin.

Image by: Ksenia Bobrova

– Bake the apple roses for 35-45 minutes.

– Pull out of oven and let cool for 5 minutes.

Recipe adapted from TipHero

Pumpkin Maple Soufflés

Image by: Smorgasbite

Ingredients: (yields four soufflés)

4 eggs, separated

3/4 cup canned pumpkin purée

3 tablespoons pure maple syrup, plus more for drizzling

Pinch ground nutmeg

Salt

Directions:

1. Adjust oven rack to center position and preheat oven to 375°F. In medium bowl, whisk together yolks, pumpkin, syrup, nutmeg, and pinch of salt until well combined.
2. In large clean bowl, whisk egg whites to soft peaks. Transfer heaping spoonful of whipped egg whites to the yolk mixture. Stir vigorously to incorporate. Then, pour the yolk mixture gently into whites, and fold gently with rubber spatula until just incorporated.
3. Pour soufflé batter into six 6-ounce ramekins on small rimmed baking sheet. Place in oven, and immediately reduce temperature to 350°F. Bake until puffed up and golden, 25 to 30 minutes. Serve immediately, with extra warm maple syrup on side.

Recipe adapted from SeriousEats

Despite the wonderful food that can be made through the holidays such as the recipes above, the holidays are meaningful for some many reasons. But the most important, and particularly my favorite, part of the holidays is showing appreciation for your loved ones or close friends who are thoroughly cherished for simply being in your life. We all have a special person or persons, if you are lucky, who are the driving force to motivate your spirit, support your dreams, and love you for who you truly are. With that being said, I am wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday.

What’s your favorite Thanksgiving Day tradition?