I am always thinking of new recipes and menus, especially around the holidays. It's fun to try new foods and new flavor combinations, even when it seems like every combination has already been discovered! 

But while I read every food magazine and watch all the shows, it was when I was eating a croissant that the idea for this menu came to me. You never know when inspiration is going to strike!

A French themed menu seemed appropriate.

And while this menu is certainly not traditional, it has the flavors of a European feast. 

The turkey is glazed with a combination of thyme, orange, balsamic vinegar, and honey. The stuffing (inspired by the croissants) is made of toasted croissants, with cream, bacon, and chestnuts, that classic old-fashioned nut.

The salad is a variation on one of my classic favorites, Divinity Frozen Fruit Salad. And the side dishes are simple and delicious too.

Enjoy this menu with family and friends. Happy Thanksgiving!

Stylish Thanksgiving Menu

• Brie with Cherry Chutney
  What could be more French than Brie cheese? This wonderful recipe covers soft and melting Brie with a spicy and thick cherry chutney. Serve with water crackers and toasted French bread slices for the perfect appetizer.
• Balsamic and Honey Glazed Roast Turkey
  The glaze on this turkey is so good I can eat it with a spoon! But don't - it makes the perfectly bronzed, golden turkey with the best flavor. I love the accents of orange and thyme in this easy recipe.

• Croissant and Chestnut Turkey Stuffing
  The combination of croissants and chestnuts in this stuffing recipe is sublime. Bacon, onions, garlic, and red bell peppers are added for flavor, and cream and chicken stock are added to make the moist stuffing rich.
• Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
  It always helps to cook at least one side dish in the crockpot for Thanksgiving dinner; that's one less thing you have to think about! These potatoes are super creamy and very delicious.

• My Mother's Turkey Gravy
  This gravy is simply the best. The drippings provide the base for this velvety and well seasoned gravy that is perfect over creamy mashed potatoes and tender turkey.
• Frozen Divinity Salad
  This recipe is my twist on a classic old-fashioned salad I loved when I was young. It's sweet, salty, creamy, and chewy, filled with dates and pineapple.
• Roasted Asparagus
  You need something fresh and light and green with this rich menu. Roasted asparagus is perfect.
• Pear and Greens Salad
  A fresh green salad is another perfect side dish. This one is gorgeous, with fresh pears, walnuts, and blue cheese.
• Old-Fashioned Pecan Pie
  And finally, this pecan pie is the perfect finish to this stylish meal. This recipe doesn't use corn syrup, so the pie is velvety smooth and creamy, and stuffed to the brim with pecans.