Thanksgiving is the perfect time for family, gratitude, and loads of delicious food! As a nutritionist for kids, I'm all about making sure everyone gets to join the feast. So, here's a guide to creating a spread that’s tasty, allergen-friendly, and totally kid-approved. These recipes are gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free for those kiddos with special diets like autism or who are just a bit selective about what they eat.

Appetizers:

Veggie Sticks with Hummus

Ingredients:
- Carrot sticks, cucumber, bell pepper strips
- Homemade hummus (chickpeas, garlic, olive oil)
Method:
- Cut the veggies into kid-friendly sticks.
- Blend chickpeas, garlic, and olive oil for a creamy hummus.
- Serve and watch the little ones enjoy their colorful, nutritious munchies.

Bubbies Pickles -Fermented—super great source of probiotics for digestive health—kids love them!

Veggie Fries with Avocado Dip

Ingredients:
- Assorted vegetable fries (zucchini, sweet potato, and carrot)
- Homemade avocado dip (avocado, lime, cilantro)
Method:
- Bake or air-fry vegetable fries until crispy.
- Blend avocado with lime and cilantro for a creamy dip.

Turkey and Cranberry Roll-Ups

Ingredients:
- Sliced turkey, cranberry sauce, lettuce leaves
Method:
- Layer turkey slices with cranberry sauce and lettuce, then roll them up.

Main Course:

Herb-Roasted Turkey (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

Ingredients:
- Turkey, fresh herbs, olive oil
Method:
- Rub the turkey with olive oil and herbs.
- Roast until golden brown and thoroughly cooked.

Side Dishes:

Mashed Potatoes (Dairy-Free)

Ingredients:
- Potatoes, vegetable broth, garlic powder
Method:
- Boil and mash potatoes, adding vegetable broth and Primal Kitchen Mayonnaise for creaminess.
- Add garlic, salt and pepper
Creamy, fluffy, and dairy-free mashed potatoes to complement the turkey.

Kid-Friendly Sweet Potato Mash

Ingredients:

2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 tablespoons coconut oil or dairy-free butter
1-2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey (adjust to taste)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
A pinch of salt

Instructions:

Prepare the Sweet Potatoes:
- Peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into evenly sized cubes for even cooking.
Boil the Sweet Potatoes:
- Place the sweet potato cubes in a pot of water and bring it to a boil. Cook until the sweet potatoes are tender, which usually takes around 15-20 minutes.
Mash the Sweet Potatoes:
- Drain the cooked sweet potatoes and transfer them to a mixing bowl. Use a potato masher or fork to mash the sweet potatoes until they reach your desired consistency.
Add Flavor:
- Add the coconut oil or dairy-free butter to the mashed sweet potatoes and continue mashing to incorporate it well.
- Mix in the maple syrup or honey, adjusting the sweetness to your child's taste.
- Sprinkle in the cinnamon for a warm, comforting flavor (if using) and a pinch of salt

Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Stuffing

Ingredients:

1 loaf of gluten-free bread, cut into cubes (allow the bread cubes to dry out for a day or toast them in the oven for a few minutes)
2 tablespoons olive oil or dairy-free butter
1 onion, finely chopped
2-3 stalks of celery, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried sage
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
Salt and pepper to taste
2 to 2 1/2 cups vegetable or chicken broth (gluten-free)

Instructions:

Prepare the Bread:
- Cut the gluten-free bread into cubes and leave them out to dry for a day to make them slightly stale. If needed, toast them in the oven at a low temperature until they are slightly crisp.
Preheat and Sauté:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large skillet or pan, heat the olive oil or dairy-free butter over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and celery, sautéing until they are soft and translucent, for about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and continue cooking for another minute.
Season the Mixture:
- Stir in the dried sage, thyme, rosemary, parsley, salt, and pepper. Cook for an additional minute to allow the flavors to meld.
Combine Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the sautéed vegetable mixture with the dried bread cubes.
- Gradually pour in the vegetable or chicken broth, mixing well. Add enough broth to moisten the bread, but not make it overly soggy. The amount needed can vary based on the bread used.
Bake:
- Transfer the mixture to a baking dish.
- Cover with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the top is slightly crispy

Dairy-Free Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

Ingredients:

1 small butternut squash, peeled and cubed
12 oz macaroni or pasta of your choice (gluten-free if needed)
1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or any dairy-free milk)
1/2 cup nutritional yeast
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
Chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)

Instructions:

Prepare the Squash:
- Boil or steam the butternut squash until it's very tender. This will take about 15-20 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Cook the Pasta:
- Cook the macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Make the Sauce:
- In a blender or food processor, combine the cooked butternut squash, almond milk, nutritional yeast, garlic, Dijon mustard, paprika, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy.
Combine and Cook:
- In a large pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Pour in the butternut squash sauce and stir until heated through.
- Add the cooked pasta to the pan, stirring to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce.

Desserts:

Pumpkin Pie (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

Ingredients:
- Gluten-free pie crust, pumpkin puree, coconut milk
Method:
- Mix pumpkin puree with coconut milk, pour into the crust, and bake.
- A delectable, allergy-friendly pumpkin pie to end the meal on a sweet note.

Fruit Kabobs with Dairy-Free Chocolate Dip

Ingredients:
- Assorted fruits, dairy-free chocolate
Method:
- Skewer fruit chunks onto sticks for colorful kabobs.
- Melt dairy-free chocolate for a delightful dipping sauce.
A fun and healthy dessert option that kids will adore.

Apple Crisp with Dairy-Free Vanilla Ice Cream

Ingredients:
- Baked apple slices, cinnamon, gluten-free oat crumble
- Dairy-free vanilla ice cream
Method:
- Bake apple slices with a cinnamon-infused oat crumble.
- Serve with a scoop of dairy-free vanilla ice cream for a comforting treat.

Mixed Berry Smoothie Popsicles

Ingredients:
- Mixed berries, dairy-free yogurt, honey
Method:
- Blend berries and yogurt, sweeten with honey, and pour into popsicle molds.

Nourishing Thanksgiving: Clean, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, and Soy-Free Feast for the Family