Grilling Up a Thanksgiving Feast at Wilderness Presidential Resort: 5 Delicious Recipes

Introduction

Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and feasting. While traditional Thanksgiving dinners are typically cooked indoors, there's something magical about taking your Thanksgiving celebration to the great outdoors. Wilderness Presidential Resort provides the perfect backdrop for a unique and memorable Thanksgiving, where you can grill up delectable meals on an outdoor grill or even cook them over a campfire. In this blog post, we'll explore five mouthwatering Thanksgiving recipes that make the most of locally sourced ingredients from nearby farms like Millers. Whether you're lakeside, fireside, or in the comfort of your camp cabin's fully equipped kitchen, these recipes will elevate your Thanksgiving experience.

Preparing for the Ultimate Thanksgiving Feast

Before we dive into the recipes, let's get acquainted with the preparations required for grilling up a fantastic Thanksgiving feast at Wilderness Presidential Resort.

Locally Sourced Ingredients

Wilderness Presidential Resort is surrounded by the beauty of nature and local farms like Millers. Take advantage of the fresh, local ingredients available to you. Millers offers everything from whole chickens and turkeys to tomatoes and sweet corn, providing you with the perfect foundation for your Thanksgiving meal.

Lakeside Campfires and Grill-Equipped Cabins

Wilderness Presidential Resort offers lakeside campfire pits and cabins equipped with grills. You can choose to cook your Thanksgiving meal under the open sky, surrounded by the beauty of the resort, or use the grills in the comfort of your cabin. If the weather doesn't cooperate, you also have the option to use your cabin's fully equipped kitchen as a plan B.

Recipe 1: Grilled Herb-Rubbed Whole Chicken

Kick off your outdoor Thanksgiving feast with a succulent Grilled Herb-Rubbed Whole Chicken.

Ingredients

1 whole chicken from Millers Farm
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, minced
1 tablespoon fresh thyme, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
2. In a small bowl, mix olive oil, rosemary, thyme, garlic, salt, and pepper.
3. Rub the herb mixture all over the chicken, both inside and out.
4. Place the chicken on the grill, breast side up, and grill for approximately 1 hour, turning occasionally until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
5. Remove from the grill, let it rest for a few minutes, and then carve your flavorful grilled chicken.

Recipe 2: Campfire Sweet Corn with Herb Butter

Thanksgiving isn't complete without sweet corn, and cooking it over a campfire adds a smoky twist to a classic dish.

Ingredients

4 ears of fresh sweet corn from Millers Farm
4 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Soak the corn in water for 30 minutes.
2. While the corn is soaking, combine the butter, parsley, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
3. Place each ear of corn on a piece of aluminum foil and spread the herb butter mixture over each one.
4. Wrap the corn tightly in the foil.
5. Cook the wrapped corn on the campfire's grill grate for about 15-20 minutes, turning occasionally until the corn is tender and has a nice char.

Recipe 3: Grilled Tomato and Mozzarella Salad

Add a fresh and flavorful salad to your Thanksgiving spread with Grilled Tomato and Mozzarella Salad.

Ingredients

4 large tomatoes from Millers Farm
1 cup fresh mozzarella balls
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat the grill to medium heat.
2. Slice the tomatoes and grill them for 1-2 minutes per side until grill marks appear.
3. In a large bowl, combine the grilled tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and fresh basil leaves.
4. In a small bowl, mix balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Drizzle the dressing over the salad.
5. Toss to combine and serve your delicious Grilled Tomato and Mozzarella Salad.

Recipe 4: Campfire Roasted Turkey Breast

If you're not in the mood for a whole turkey, try Campfire Roasted Turkey Breast for a scaled-down Thanksgiving feast.

Ingredients

1 turkey breast from Millers Farm
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh sage, minced
1 tablespoon fresh thyme, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat the campfire for roasting. You should have a medium-high flame.
2. In a small bowl, mix olive oil, sage, thyme, garlic, salt, and pepper.
3. Rub the herb mixture all over the turkey breast.
4. Place the turkey breast on a rotisserie or use a grill grate over the campfire.
5. Roast the turkey breast for about 1.5 to 2 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
6. Allow it to rest for a few minutes before slicing.

Recipe 5: Grilled Pumpkin Pie

Dessert is an essential part of Thanksgiving, and Grilled Pumpkin Pie is a creative twist on a classic favorite.

Ingredients

1 pre-made or homemade pie crust
1 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup fresh local milk
2 eggs
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Preheat the grill to 350°F (177°C) for indirect grilling.
2. In a large bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, sweetened condensed milk, fresh milk, eggs, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt.
3. Pour the mixture into the pre-made or homemade pie crust.
4. Place the pie on the grill grates away from direct heat. Grill for 40-45 minutes or until the center is set.
5. Let the pie cool and refrigerate before serving.

Conclusion

Thanksgiving is a time to create special memories with loved ones, and cooking a delicious outdoor feast can make the day even more memorable. Wilderness Presidential Resort, with its local farm-fresh ingredients and versatile cooking options, provides an ideal setting for a unique Thanksgiving celebration. Whether you choose to cook over a campfire, on an outdoor grill, or in your cabin's kitchen, these five recipes using locally sourced ingredients from farms like Millers Farm Market will elevate your Thanksgiving experience. Enjoy the beauty of nature and the bounty of the season as you savor every mouthwatering bite of your Thanksgiving feast.