Food Sites Offer Thanksgiving Ideas With A Latin Twist

By Michael Lopez

C'mon, we all get pretty bored with the same old stuffing and cranberry sauce. That's why this Thanksgiving we thought it would be fun to explore some spicier options for la cocina. Several Hispanic chefs and food sites have offered their own unique take on turkey day and we thought it would be fun to share the ideas with you.

One of our favorite Latina cooking queens happens to be Marcela Valladolid. The host of The Food Network's Mexican Made Easy (and one of our Hispanic Heritage Month Coolturistas), Marcela shares dozens of Spanish-style recipes on her site. One we found to be particularly festive was for Turkey Picadillo Sloppy Joes. A textured mix of ground turkey, jalapeños, garlic cloves, and tomato puree, it'll definitely bring a unique twist to any family dinner table.

The trendy ladies' site She Knows also has some great Mexican-flavored Thanksgiving ideas. Unconventional meal suggestions include Chile Cheese Casserole (made with green chiles and Monterey Jack), Brussels Sprouts and chorizo (covered in queso fresco, yum!), and Pumpkin Fiesta Rice (with just a touch of black pepper).

Fox News Latino mixed in suggestions from their readers. Though the ingredients list wasn't present, just the ideas alone sounded fantastic. There are posts about Pumpkin Margaritas, Pumpkin Flan, and turkeys glazed in guava!

If you're thinking of having an "adults only" party, make sure to Google the recipe for Ponche Crema. Also known as Latino eggnog, it's a special rum concoction that's got a quite a kick and can keep your turkey day festivities flowing long after the sun goes down!

And for all you leftover lovers, Latino food bloggers have shot out a ton of creative ideas. One of our favorites is Turkey Tortilla Soup. Not only will it put your extra carvings to good use, it's a great way to stay warm during the cold November nights. All it requires are turkey slices, broth, shredded cheese, and a hint of taco seasoning.

What are your favorite Latino Thanksgiving recipes? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, Cultura, Food, Food Network, Fox News Latino, Holidays, Marcela Valladolid, Mexican Made Easy, She Knows, Thanksgiving