What Should I Bring to A Friendsgiving?

You receive an invitation to a “Friendsgiving”.  Your friend’s invitation says, “bring a side” to our feast. What a side?  Help!  Don’t fret, Shannon Smith shares an easy recipe that is sure to send compliments your way and quite possibly another invite.

Harvest Salad

1 head of Romaine lettuce, washed and chopped

1 apple, sliced thinly

1 butternut squash

1/4 cup olive oil for drizzling over squash

1 pomegranate

3 ounces goat cheese

1/2 cup toasted pecans

1/2 cup olive oil

1/4 cup maple syrup

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Slice butternut squash in half lengthwise.  Peel both halves and remove seeds and membrane with a spoon and knife.  Slice squash thinly into 1” pieces.  Place pieces on baking sheet.  Drizzle with olive oil and salt and pepper.  Roast in oven for 35-40 minutes, or until golden and starting to crisp.  Let cool.

Squeeze pomegranate, pierce with skewer and allow juice to fall into a glass (Drink the juice, it’s good for you).  Slice pomegranate in half.  Using a wooden spoon, hammer the outside of each half, allowing seeds to fall into a bowl.  I prefer to do this in the sink to prevent and huge mess.  Reserve 1/2 cup of seeds.

For dressing:  combine olive oil, maple syrup, cider vinegar, and 1/4 tsp. each of salt and pepper.  Shake to combine.

In 1 large bowl, add lettuce, apple, pom seeds, 1 cup of squash slices, pecans and torn pieces of goat cheese.  Add dressing and toss.

serves 6-8

Thanks to Shannon for sharing her “go-to” Friendsgiving dish.  Be sure to follow us on Instagram @creativelivingshow where you will find additional ideas and recipes for “Friendsgiving” and watch Creative Living on Cox Cable’s YurView channel. Check your guide for the channel number in your city. Tune in Sundays at 8:30 pm, Mondays at 7:30 pm, Wednesdays at 11 pm, and Thursdays at 8 pm. Creative Living imagine what you can do!

Check out Shannon’s inspiration when we challenged her to show us a creative “Friendsgiving” entertaining space.