{"id":4418,"date":"2019-11-03T04:35:48","date_gmt":"2019-11-03T04:35:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lakesatcenterra.com\/?p=4418"},"modified":"2025-07-28T22:42:39","modified_gmt":"2025-07-28T22:42:39","slug":"whats-on-the-menu-holiday-season-hacks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.centerra.com\/the-lakes\/news\/whats-on-the-menu-holiday-season-hacks\/","title":{"rendered":"WHAT\u2019S ON THE MENU \u2013 HOLIDAY SEASON HACKS\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

We\u2019re not quite sure how it happened so quickly, but Thanksgiving is on the horizon! For a food-focused holiday, it\u2019s a lot of pressure for those in the kitchen. Luckily, we\u2019ve gathered up some of our favorite tips and tricks to help you serve up a holiday that\u2019s memorable for all the right reasons.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

T<\/em><\/span>hanksgiving Food Inspiration<\/em>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Turkey may be the Thanksgiving staple, but what about the other supporting dishes? From salads to potatoes to the all-important dessert<\/span>s<\/span>, you may be wondering\u00a0<\/span>how to make the perfect Thanksgiving dinner<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

H<\/span>ere at The Lakes, we think you should start\u00a0<\/span>with<\/span>\u00a0the main dish and\u00a0<\/span>create side dishes from there.<\/span>\u00a0Decide on a turkey or other protein that will be the star of the show, along with some classic side dishes like mashed potatoes and gravy or green<\/span>–<\/span>bean casserole.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Now comes the fun! Mix things up with festive dishes \u2013 some of our favorites are salads that incorporate cranberries and pumpkin\u00a0<\/span>seeds,<\/span>\u00a0or dinner rolls shaped like pumpkins. We\u2019re sure that fun touches like this will have your guests smiling!\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re in need of some recipes or inspiration, be sure to visit our\u00a0<\/span>It\u2019s Turkey Time<\/span><\/a>\u00a0Pinterest board. From appetizers to dessert, we\u2019ve got you covered!\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ditch the Dishes<\/em>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking to skip some cooking over the holiday week, we don\u2019t blame you. Let someone else do the work and take your family to one of the many<\/span>\u00a0restaurant<\/span>\u00a0options located near The Lakes.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Centerra is home to restaurants that fit every palate.\u00a0<\/span>Biaggi\u2019s<\/span><\/a>\u00a0offers hand-crafted Italian fare fit for a crowd.\u00a0<\/span>Bent F<\/span>o<\/span>rk<\/span><\/a>\u00a0is a locally owned\u00a0<\/span>restaurant with traditional<\/span>\u00a0dishes sure to satisfy. With group-sized servings,\u00a0<\/span>P.F. Chang\u2019s<\/span><\/a>\u00a0brings plenty of flavor to scratch-made dishes. One of the newest offerings at Centerra is\u00a0<\/span>Pinocchio\u2019s Incredible Italia<\/span>n<\/span><\/a>, where they serve classic Italian favorites including a delicious dessert menu.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>If you\u2019re looking for other options,\u00a0<\/span>Old Chicago<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Rock Bottom Brewery<\/span><\/a>\u00a0have traditional American fare paired with delicious local brews.\u00a0<\/span>Each of these locations also offers takeout, the perfect solution for hosting without the hassle. You may just find\u00a0<\/span>something new to eat for Thanksgiving<\/span>\u00a0and start a great tradition!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoping to venture a bit farther outside your door?\u00a0<\/span>Downtown Loveland<\/span><\/a>\u00a0is a great option for local dining. Whether it\u2019s a full dinner, drinks or dessert you\u2019ll find hand-crafted options that\u00a0<\/span>are fun to explore.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t Forget the Decor<\/em>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We love taking the opportunity to turn a meal into an event. You can draw inspiration from the colors here at the Lakes \u2013 the warm hues of the changing leaves, the dark blue of the water and the white of the snow (that will hopefully hold off for the holiday) \u2013 to create a scene that will have your guests talking. These colors can be incorporated through napkins, tablecloths, placemats or fun floral arrangements!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Another fun idea is replacing a traditional table runner with butcher paper. You can leave\u00a0<\/span>festive messages or indicate where everyone will sit \u2013 as a bonus, your smaller guests can even do some decorating as a fun activity while they\u2019re at the table!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t toss your pumpkins just yet! Gourds are great along a table to add festive colors while larger pumpkins can be used to hold flowers or even food (if you\u2019re feeling bold).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Cookie<\/p>\n

Fast Finger Food\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Say that three times fast! November isn\u2019t just for Thanksgiving, it\u2019s also a time to gather together to root on your favorite football team. That means serving up snacks that are tasty, but not too time intensive so you won\u2019t miss a thing.\u00a0<\/span>Easy game day snacks<\/span>\u00a0will leave everyone satisfied, even if the final score doesn\u2019t.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019ve rounded up some of our favorite recipes on our \u2018<\/span>Game Day Snacks<\/span><\/a>\u2019 board on Pinterest. From simple dips to filling sliders, we hope this helps you feed your crowd!\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At the end of the day, it doesn\u2019t matter what\u2019s on the table as much as who\u2019s around it. From all of us at The Lakes, we hope you have a wonderful holiday!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Festive Food-Focused Gatherings<\/em>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A good meal gets better when it\u2019s shared with good neighbors and friends. Winter WonderLAKES kicked off in November and is filled with\u00a0<\/span>holiday themed<\/span>\u00a0gatherings that allow the opportunity to spend time with neighbors and friends\u00a0<\/span>and enjoy classic<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>holiday foods<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Learn more about this year\u2019s holiday\u00a0<\/span>gatherings below<\/span>. Y<\/span>ou can find<\/span>\u00a0a full list of\u00a0<\/span>The Lakes\u2019 seasonal\u00a0<\/span>events\u00a0<\/span>in your resident newsletter<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n