As the air turns crisp and the holidays draw near, there’s nothing quite like gathering around the table with comforting dishes that celebrate the season.
This collection of fall-inspired recipes brings together timeless favorites—a savory roast chicken, a creamy sweet potato gratin, and festive Thanksgiving sugar cookies, all crafted to make holiday hosting as seamless as it is delicious.
With Hestan Culinary’s premium tools by your side, each recipe offers a chance to enjoy the flavors of fall while creating cherished moments with family and friends. Let’s make this holiday season one to savor!
Savory Roasted Chicken
Serving Size: 4-6 | Category: Side Dish | Prep Time: 15 min | Cook Time: 55 min | Total Time: 1 hr 10 min
Bring the warmth of home-cooked flavors to your table with this beautifully roasted chicken. Perfectly seasoned and roasted to a crisp golden brown, this dish is made easy with the Hestan Culinary 14.5 inch Classic Clad Roaster with Rack—your secret to even roasting and effortless cleanup.
Ingredients:
- 5-6 lb whole chicken
- 2 tbsp Cobram Estate Olive Oil
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1/2 tbsp black pepper
- 1/2 tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp rosemary
- 1 lemon, quartered
- 1 head of garlic, halved
- Fresh herbs (such as rosemary and thyme) for garnish
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
- In a small bowl, mix olive oil, salt, pepper, paprika, thyme, and rosemary. Rub the mixture all over the chicken, including under the skin.
- Place the lemon quarters and garlic inside the chicken cavity.
- Place the chicken in the Hestan Classic Clad Roaster on the rack, breast side up.
- Roast for about 1.5 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the skin is golden.
- Remove from oven, let rest for 10 minutes, and garnish with fresh herbs before serving.
Creamy Sweet Potato Gratin
Serving Size: 4-6 | Category: Side Dish | Prep Time: 15 min | Cook Time: 55 min | Total Time: 1 hr 10 min
Layers of thinly sliced sweet potatoes baked to perfection in a rich, creamy sauce. Perfect for a cozy fall meal or as an indulgent side for Thanksgiving, this gratin is a true crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup grated Gruyère cheese
- Fresh thyme for garnish
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a small bowl, combine heavy cream, milk, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Arrange half of the sweet potato slices in a baking dish. Pour half of the cream mixture over the potatoes and sprinkle with half of the cheese.
- Layer the remaining sweet potatoes on top, followed by the rest of the cream mixture and cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, until potatoes are tender and the top is golden.
- Garnish with fresh thyme before serving.
Thanksgiving Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing
Serving Size: 4-6 | Category: Side Dish | Prep Time: 15 min | Cook Time: 55 min | Total Time: 1 hr 10 min
Celebrate the season with these delightful Thanksgiving-themed sugar cookies. Using Hestan’s OvenBond Half Sheet Pan and Mixing Bowls, you’ll have all the tools to create and decorate these charming cookies with ease.
for the cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, mixing until combined.
- In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms.
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use seasonal cookie cutters (pumpkins, pie slices, etc.) to cut out shapes.
- Place cookies on the Hestan OvenBond Half Sheet Pan and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes or until edges are golden.
- Let cookies cool completely before icing.
for the Icing
Ingredients:
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp meringue powder
- 5-6 tbsp water
- Food coloring in autumn shades (orange, green, brown, etc.)
Instructions:
- In a mixing bowl, combine powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water. Mix until smooth, adjusting water as needed for desired consistency.
- Divide icing into bowls and tint with food coloring.
- Decorate cookies with a piping bag or small spatula for a festive Thanksgiving touch.
As you dive into these delicious fall recipes, remember that the magic of holiday cooking is as much about creating memories as it is about the food on the table.
Whether it’s the warmth of roasted chicken, the creamy layers of sweet potato gratin, or the festive fun of decorating sugar cookies, these dishes are sure to bring loved ones together. Save these recipes on Pinterest to keep them handy for all your fall gatherings, and let each dish add a touch of flavor and warmth to your holiday season.
Happy cooking and happy hosting!
