Dishing on our thanksgiving faves

As the crisp autumn air fills our lungs and the leaves transform into a vibrant tapestry of reds, oranges, and yellows, we find ourselves eagerly anticipating the arrival of Thanksgiving. It is a time when families gather around a table adorned with a cornucopia of delectable dishes, each one carrying a story and a cherished memory. In this blog, we invite you to join us on a mouthwatering journey as we unveil the favorite Thanksgiving recipes of our beloved Malia family. Prepare to be transported to a world of culinary delights that will surely inspire your own holiday feast.

From thanksgiving dinner to Sunday dinners there were always homemade hot rolls at my grandmas house. There are over 40 of us so that is a lot of rolls, but each time she made them with just the right amount of love! Since her passing, I’m so thankful to have the family recipe and reminisce.

My favorite Thanksgiving dish is my grandpas homemade noodles!
Once I was older, my grandpa started teaching me how to make them and now we make them together every year! They’re so fun to make. I feel honored that he passed on the tradition to me and I am excited to continue passing the tradition on!

As most of you know, I worked as a Speech Pathologist in nursing homes for over 20 years. Serving and loving on my patients was a highlight of my life! Each person and their family was such a blessing to me. But, every now and then, I would meet someone who connected in a special way. Helen was a spitfire and always kept us on our toes. She was so funny and stayed positive amidst her difficult situation. Fast forward to the holidays…she was beside herself that I didn’t love cranberry salad.  She said “that’s only because you’ve never tasted mine!” She insisted that her daughters get me her special cranberry salad recipe and that I make some for both of us. We enjoyed it together, and she was right! It was absolutely delicious! I make it every year for my family in memory of Helen. So, if you don’t love cranberry salad, it’s because you haven’t tasted Helen’s! ENJOY!

I love my mom’s mashed potatoes because they are the epitome of comfort and nostalgia. Every bite reminds me of family gatherings and holiday dinners, bringing back some of my best memories. She always makes them perfectly and the love she pours into each batch makes her mashed potatoes a cherished tradition that brings our family together, making them the best I’ve ever had.

I love sweet potato casserole! It combines the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. The creamy and smooth texture of the sweet potatoes, topped with gooey marshmallows and crunchy pecans, creates a delightful contrast in every bite. It’s a comforting and indulgent dish that adds a touch of nostalgia to the holiday feast.

These frosted pumpkin cookies are my favorite Thanksgiving recipe. The soft and moist pumpkin cookies, generously frosted with a creamy and sweet glaze, are a treat that embodies the warm and cozy flavors of fall. The combination of pumpkin, spices, and the frosting makes these cookies a perfect addition to the Thanksgiving dessert table.

I learned this recipe from my husband’s grandma! I’ve always been a fan of deviled eggs, but I used to make them overly complicated with numerous ingredients. However, her recipe simplified everything, adding just one secret ingredient that transformed the dish into the best deviled eggs I’ve ever! Now, I’m excited to pass on this delicious recipe and the joy it brings to anyone who loves this classic dish as much as I do.

It’s my favorite because I love potatoes and cheese and it has just enough crunch on top to give it a different consistency than regular mashed potatoes. All the flavors together are creamy and delicious!

Growing up, one of my favorite steps of the jelly making process was picking the berries! Us kids would eat them just as fast as we tried to fill our “buckets” up. If you dropped your bucket full of berries you had better hoped to God mom didn’t see! Once we were done picking, mom would set us on the countertop to watch the cooking process and that’s how we learned. My brother and I loved to sit back and wait for the jelly jars to pop meaning they were “set”. We didn’t complain if some didn’t set, because that meant black raspberry syrup over vanilla ice cream for dessert! During the holidays, we gave jars of jam as gifts to family, friends, and neighbors. It was by far one of the biggest show stopping treats at the thanksgiving dinner table! 

My cherished Thanksgiving dish is turkey, as it has become a tradition for me to capture the moment of biting into a turkey leg every year.
This began in 2016 and has been a yearly tradition ever since. Our preparation involves a delightful overnight brine with a blend of spices and liquid, followed by deep-frying for a mouthwatering result!


We enjoyed digging out the family recipe books and sharing our Thanksgiving traditions with you all! We hope these recipes inspire you to change up your menu and maybe give one or two a try. If you try one of these delicious recipes share a picture of the dish to social media and use the hashtag #maliacorecipe to be featured on our story!


Our books are filling up for the weeks before the upcoming holiday so make sure you have your appointments booked! Go to the BOOK NOW tab on our website to secure your appointment today and ensure that the dishes aren’t the only thing that looks good this Thanksgiving!

See you at the salon!

XOXO – Malia & Co.

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