Crowd-Pleasing Thanksgiving Appetizer Recipes

BRIGHTON, Mich - Now that we are only days away from Thanksgiving, it seems appropriate that we start thinking about food, food, and more food! Of course we are all looking forward to the stuffing, the mashed potatoes, and the juicy turkey, but what about those delicious hors d'oeuvres? 

We know that the focus is on the hearty feast, but that's no excuse to leave your guests hungry until it is time for the main course! These easy and delectable Crowd-Pleasing Thanksgiving Appetizer Recipes serve double duty! Not only will they satisfy your guests until it is time for turkey, but they are so simple that they will allow you to have plenty of time to tend to your main entrees! 

Crowd-Pleasing Thanksgiving Appetizer Recipes

Crostini with Herbed Cream Cheese Spread

Bacon Jalapeño Deviled Eggs

Dilly Vegetable Dip

 

Caramelized Onion, Mushroom, Apple & Gruyere Bites 

Pumpkin Hummus 

Whipped Feta and Tomato Crostini

Looking for some more holiday inspiration? Our Pinterest page is filled with dozens of great recipes, DIY and craft projects, and holiday decorating tips! 

At Brighton Ford, we pride ourselves on providing our customers with an impressive inventory that is stocked with the latest and greatest Ford vehicles! We are located at 8240 Grand River Ave. just north of I-96 in Brighton. We are a family owned and operated business that strives for customer satisfaction. For more information on Brighton Ford visit BrightonFord.com or give us a call at (800) 836-7417.

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Classic Thanksgiving Side Dishes

BRIGHTON, Mich.- No Thanksgiving feast is complete without those few Classic Thanksgiving Side Dishes! Every family has their own holiday traditions, but you're pretty much guaranteed to spot the top Thanksgiving Classic Side Dishes on almost every table: mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and green bean casserole!

Here are some Classic Thanksgiving Side Dish Tips to ensure a tasty holiday feast:

Mashed Potatoes: For Classic Thanksgiving Mashed potatoes use whole russet potatoes, mashed with 1/2 to 1 stick of butter, 1 cup hot milk and salt and pepper. To put your own twist on the potatoes you can add or adjust the recipe using sour cream, yogurt, spices or herbs!

Stuffing: To make a classic stuffing, melt the butter, stir in diced celery and onions, add in sage, thyme, salt and pepper, and then pour in the turkey or chicken broth and simmer. In a separate bowl, mix the eggs and parsley and add the stale bread cubes last. Mix it all together, dump into a baking dish and baken until golden! Just like the potatoes, make it your own by adding apples, cranberries, walnuts or sausage!

Cranberry Sauce: This sweet side dish starts out with some fresh cranberries and sugar. From there you can add in your twist: orange juice, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, orange zest, or brown sugar. Then cook, stirring until the cranberries pop!

Green Bean Casserole: You only need one dish for this simple side! Mix together the green beans, french fried onions, dash of pepper, splash of milk and some cream of mushroom soup, and then just pop it in the oven for less than 30 minutes! Top if off with some more onions for a crunch and you're done.

As with any of your Thanksgiving recipes, don't be scared to add in your own special spice or family twist. Refresh your memory on How To Safely Thaw A Turkey and check out our How To Tips For Cooking A Turkey. Brighton Ford wishes you a very special Thanksgiving! We're thankful to be a part of this community!

Get to your Thanksgiving destination safely with our Brake Shop Discounts and Tire Discounts. Brighton Ford is located at 8240 Grand River Ave. just north of I-96 in Brighton. We are a family owned and operated business that strives on customer satisfaction.  For more information on Brighton Ford visit BrightonFord.com or give us a call at (800)-836-8206.

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How To Tips For Cooking A Turkey

BRIGHTON, Mich.- We're one day closer to the big Thanksgiving feast, which means it's time to make sure we know what we're doing in the kitchen. Yesterday, in the 1st Part of our Thanksgiving Series we explained How To Safely Thaw A Turkey. Today, we have gathered up 5 Tips For Cooking A Turkey perfectly to refresh your memory before the big day!

1. DON'T STUFF THE TURKEY- Not only is this a bad idea, but it can be unsafe. It is unlikely that the stuffing will cook evenly inside the turkey, and by the time the stuffing reaches a safe temperature, parts of your turkey will be over cooked. If you're going for the look, just spoon the stuffing into the turkey cavity before you serve it.

2. SEASON THE WHOLE TURKEY- The key here is generosity, inside, outside, and under the skin. There's a lot of meat on a turkey, so don't go light. Use butter or oil under the skin and on the outside to keep the turkey moist and juicy. And don't forget to season, even inside the cavity.

3. PROPERLY PREPARE- Tuck, tie, and cover to ensure a pretty bird that's cooked to perfection. Pull the wing tips forward and tuck them under the breasts so they don't burn and your turkey sits straight. Tie the legs together with kitchen string or floss to keep a beautiful shape and even cook, and then cover the breasts loosely with a piece of foil for 75% of the cooking time to keep the turkey moist.

4. LOW AND SLOW- Set your oven to 325 Degrees Fahrenheit and allow 15-20 minutes per pound. Add about a 1/2 inch of water or stock to your roasting pan along with some carrots, celery and onions to keep the oven moist and aromatic. Just make sure that the thickest part of the thigh meat reaches 165 Degrees Fahrenheit!

5. LET IT REST- Allow your turkey about 20 minutes to rest loosely covered with foil, once you remove it from the oven so that the juices can redistribute. Don't worry it won't get cold, it will actually stay hot for over 40 minutes!

Now that you've got the basics with these How To Tips For Cooking A Turkey, feel free to add in your special touch or secret spice! Stay tuned for the 3rd Part of our Thanksgiving Series: side dishes! Get to your Thanksgiving destination safely with our Brake Shop Discounts and Tire Discounts. Brighton Ford is located at 8240 Grand River Ave. just north of I-96 in Brighton. We are a family owned and operated business that strives on customer satisfaction.  For more information on Brighton Ford visit BrightonFord.com or give us a call at (800)-836-8206.

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How To Safely Thaw A Turkey

BRIGHTON, Mich.- Thanksgiving is just one week away, which means you're probably making your grocery list and preparing for the big feast: turkey and all the fixings. So, we decided to present you with a 3-Part Series of Posts to help you cook up a delicious Thanksgiving Dinner! We all know that the most important part of your Thanksgiving feast is the Turkey, which is why the first part of this series is: How To Safely Thaw A Turkey!

The first step in preparing your Thanksgiving dinner is to make sure you begin thawing the turkey well in advance of the big day. The tricky part is making sure that the turkey stays safe from bacteria during the thaw. Bacteria that may have been present before freezing, can begin to multiply rapidly if the turkey is not thawed properly. The safest way to thaw a turkey is in the refrigerator. But, you must allow a full 24 hours of thawing time for each 4-5 pounds of turkey, so plan ahead! Once the turkey is thawed it can be safely stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Another way to safely thaw your turkey is cold water thawing which requires less time; only 30 minutes per pound. All you have to do is wrap your thanksgiving turkey in a leak-proof plastic bag and then submerge it into cold water. However, make sure to change the water every 30 minutes and then cook the turkey as soon as it is thawed.

It is important to know How To Safely Thaw A Turkey to keep bacteria at bay and to ensure all of your family and friends can enjoy your delicious meal. Check back for the next part of this series on how to cook your turkey once it is thawed! And if you haven't even thought about decorating for your Thanksgiving gathering yet, check out our blog posts Holiday Decor Ideas and DIY Tips For A Festive Fall.

If you find yourself in need of a vehicle this season, Brighton Ford sells Used Cars near Hartland, MI and is also a Top Ford Dealer near Washtenaw County. Save money this holiday season with our Brake Shop Discounts and Tire Discounts. Brighton Ford is located at 8240 Grand River Ave. just north of I-96 in Brighton. We are a family owned and operated business that strives on customer satisfaction.  For more information on Brighton Ford visit BrightonFord.com or give us a call at (800)-836-8206.

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Holiday Decor Ideas

BRIGHTON, Mich.- We're a week into November and Thanksgiving is right around the corner! Then before you know it Christmas will be here! That means that it's time for some Holiday Decor Ideas that you can use ASAP! This year your Metro Detroit Ford Dealer is all about keeping it simple. You can still have beautiful holiday decorations without having to spend a week decorating! Check out our festive Holiday Decor Ideas that take no time at all:

- Next time you're at the store, grab some indian corn or cinnamon sticks and tie them around your candles or vases!

- Grab some pinecones, ornaments, and a vase. Mix and match the pinecones and ornaments or you can fill the vase with just ornaments or pinecones.

- Get out your ornaments and use some colorful ribbon to hang them from the chandelier over your table as a centerpiece.

- Add some accent greenery throughout the house and you're DONE! How easy was that?

For more great seasonal decoration ideas, check out our As The Seasons Change Pinboard on Pinterest! And if you're proactive about making sure your vehicle is ready for the change in weather, stop by Brighton Ford for some Tire Rotation Coupons and Tire Discounts! Brighton Ford is located at 8240 Grand River Ave. just north of I-96 in Brighton. We are a family owned and operated business that strives on customer satisfaction.  For more information on Brighton Ford visit BrightonFord.com or give us a call at (800)-836-8206.

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