Thanksgiving Dinner With Native Veggies Stir Fry And Noodles

America has evolved rather a lot since the time of the Pilgrims, and Asian food is part of most peoples' lives. Squash, baby corn, and bell peppers are all just crying out to be used in a stir fry! You will need baby carrots cut in half, bell peppers cut into think strips, squash chopped into small cubes, green onions and green beans.

Don't forget to add generous amounts of garlic and chopped fresh ginger. Stir fry your veggies in sesame oil. You can, of course, add fried tofu into the stir fry. Don't stir fry veggies and tofu together in the same wok, because the tofu will go soggy as the veggies release moisture.

I love hoisin sauce with stir fries (though you should always check if yours has fish sauce in it; sometimes they do). Pour about half of a jar of hoisin sauce into a bowl, and give it more of a tang by squeezing some fresh lime juice, some dark soy sauce, and some honey into it. Thinly chopped chilly peppers are a great idea for those who like it spicier and sesame seeds for some crunch. Add the noodles of your choice, pour the sauce over the veggies, and you're done. This isn't only delicious, but also surprisingly quick and easy.

Pumpkin Lasagna

If you are looking for that hearty fall dish that everyone knows will be satisfying just by looking at it, pumpkin lasagna will be a great choice for your Thanksgiving meal. You'll need pumpkin purée, either canned or home-made, chopped mushrooms, baby spinach, and onions. In case you've never made lasagna before, I'll just warn you that the mushrooms and onions do need to be fried in advance, and you cook the lasagna sheets as well, unless they are no-cook. Spinach leaves can go in the oven raw.

Add cream (dairy-based or soy, depending on your needs, or your guests') to your pumpkin purée to make the dish even better, and don't forget to sprinkle some dried sage leaves, sea salt and pepper on after you create each layer. If you are a vegan, skip the cheese. If not, Parmesan cheese on top will make your lasagna extra delicious.

Veggie Side Dish Suggestions

You've got plenty of options for great side dishes. Some you may like to try out are:

• Baby carrots roasted in olive oil, and sprinkled with cumin, coriander and mint make a wonderful, modern side dish. Add lime and honey to make this extra special.

• Roasted tomato slices with grated cheese and oregano on top.

• Use canned sweet corn, cherry tomatoes, basil and olive oil to create a light salad with a distinct Thanksgiving feel.

• Home-made bread, from cornflour, will add a rustic touch to anything. You need something to go with that? Pumpkin soup is your best bet, of course, though this is more of a starter.

Pumpkin Ice Cream

Looking for an quick but lovely Thanksgiving desert? Pumpkin pie is just a little too predictable, isn't it? My kids absolutely love pumpkin ice cream at the moment. You may like it too, because it's really, really easy to make. You'll simply need to buy vanilla ice cream, let it soften a little, and add puréed pumpkin, cinnamon or pumpkin pie spices, into the mix. Grate black chocolate on top, and you are done! Refreeze before you serve, of course.