If you are hosting Thanksgiving at your place this year, and are hoping to curate a dinner party that is unique and Montana-inspired, you've come to the right place! Here at Montana Gift Corral, we'll take every opportunity to loop a little bit of Montana into everything we do; from gifting to cooking, and more! To wow your guests this Thanksgiving, check out these delicious recipes from cocktails, to appetizers, side dishes, main dishes, and of course, dessert. We've reworked them a little bit using products that are made right here in the Big Sky State. Enjoy! 

Huckleberry Chai Tea Martini

In our opinion, every good dinner party starts out with a delicious craft cocktail. One recipe that always seems to go over well with a large group is a good ol' martini. Plus, you can easily customize a martini for each season, during the fall/winter, a chai martini is our go-to! 

For this recipe, we were inspired by the Chai Tea Latte Martini from The Frugal Foodie Mama. This recipe is simple, only requiring a few ingredients, and is oh-so delicious. Swapping out the chai tea concentrate for our Huckleberry Chai Tea Mix from Huckleberry Haven, you'll get that Montana-inspired kick you're looking for. Plus, you can always opt for a Montana-made vodka if you want to take it up a notch!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 Cup Prepared Huckleberry Chai Tea Mix from Huckleberry Haven
• 1.5 oz Whipped Cream or Vanilla Flavored Vodka
• 1/4 Cup Half & Half
• Brown Sugar and Cinnamon for the Rim
• Whipped cream for Topping

Directions:

1. Combine the brown sugar and cinnamon in a small dish and mix well. Spread the mixture onto a plate. Wet the rim of a martini glass, then dip and twist it into the sugar blend to coat. Set the glass aside.
2. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the prepared huckleberry chai tea mix, vodka, and half-and-half. Secure the lid and shake vigorously until everything is well combined. Strain the mixture into the prepared martini glass.
3. For an extra special touch, top with whipped cream and a dash of cinnamon.

Montana-Inspired Charcuterie Board

Thanksgiving cooking usually takes a while, so while the turkey is in the oven, make sure you have some appetizers to snack on. For an easy and beloved hors d'oeuvres, opt for a charcuterie board or meat and cheese tray! 

To give it that Treasures State flair, you can cut up some made-in-Montana salami or jerky and create a beautiful arrangement with your favorite small bites; think cheese, nuts, jam, etc. 

When it comes to Montana-made meats, we've got you covered with our assortment from Chalet Market! We would specifically recommend our Buffalo Salami or Buffalo Jerky. They're both super flavorful! 

Ingredients:

• Meats: Chalet Market Buffalo Salami, Chalet Market Buffalo Jerky
• Cheeses: Your favorites, such as sharp cheddar, gouda, or brie
• Crackers: A variety of plain and seeded crackers
• Fruits: Fresh grapes, apple slices, or dried apricots
• Nuts: Almonds, walnuts, or pecans
• Spreads: Montana-made jam or honey

Directions:

1. Prepare the Meats: Slice the Buffalo Salami into thin rounds and arrange them neatly on a large platter. Add the Buffalo Jerky in small bundles.
2. Arrange the Cheeses: Slice your chosen cheeses into bite-sized portions and fan them out next to the meats.
3. Add Crackers: Create sections of crackers around the platter.
4. Incorporate Fruits: Fill gaps with fresh or dried fruits.
5. Scatter Nuts: Add a handful of nuts to the board for crunch.
6. Include Spreads: Place small bowls of jam or honey on the board with mini spoons or knives for serving.

Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower with a Spicy Pepper Drizzle

While your main dish should definitely be the star of the show, don't forget to put some effort into delicious side dishes! For any easy and yummy side dish, we were inspired by the Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower by What's Gaby Cooking.

This recipe is finger licking good, featuring perfectly roasted cauliflower with caramelized flavors and the perfect mix of spices to boot. You can make it even better with a drizzle of our Fresno Hot Sauce by Beehive Brothers. This sauce is crafted here in Montana using locally source peppers, and adds just the right kick to any dish! 

Ingredients:

• 2 Heads of Cauliflower, Cut into Florets
• 1 Small Onion, Thinly Sliced
• 4 Sprigs of Fresh Thyme
• 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• Kosher Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper, To Taste
• ½ Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
• Fresno Hot Sauce by Beehive Brothers, To Taste

Ingredients:

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F.
2. On a large, rimmed baking sheet, combine the cauliflower florets, sliced onion, and thyme. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss everything together to coat evenly.
3. Roast in the oven for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cauliflower is golden brown around the edges.
4. About 10 minutes before the cauliflower is done, sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the vegetables. Toss to mix, and continue roasting until the cauliflower is tender and the cheese is melted.
5. Drizzle with Fresno Hot Sauce to taste.

Wild Huckleberry Glazed Turkey

It's no surprise that on Thanksgiving, your turkey should be cooked to perfection. That being said, there's no need to stick by any certain guidelines, you can customize this well-known dish in so many ways! 

For this recipe, we were loving the Glazed Turkey by Running to the Kitchen. Originally, the creator used a tart cherry cranberry glaze, which sounds delicious. But if you're going for something a little closer to home, consider a huckleberry glaze using our Huckleberry Jam by Huckleberry Haven. This will give your turkey a perfect slightly tart slightly sweet flavor! 

Ingredients:

• 12-14 lb. Turkey, Rinsed, Dried, and Giblets Removed
• 3 Tablespoons Butter, Room Temperature
• Salt and Pepper, To Taste
• 4 Sprigs Rosemary, Plus Extra for Garnish
• 1 Lemon, Halved
• 2 Cups Chicken or Turkey Broth
• 12 Ounces Fresh Cranberries
• 1 Large Sweet Onion, Chopped
• Glaze: 1 Jar of Huckleberry Haven Huckleberry Jam

Directions:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (or 400°F for convection roast).
2. Prepare the Glaze: In a small saucepan, combine the huckleberry jam with 2 tablespoons of water. Heat over medium, stirring until smooth. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for about 10 minutes to thicken. Remove from heat and let cool.
3. Prepare the Turkey: Place the turkey breast-side up in a roasting pan. Gently smear the butter over the turkey, including under the skin on the breast. Generously season the outside and inside cavity with salt and pepper.
4. Stuff and Arrange: Fill the cavity with rosemary sprigs and lemon halves. Scatter the cranberries and chopped onion around the turkey in the roasting pan.
5. Add Liquid and Glaze: Mix ⅔ of the prepared huckleberry glaze with the broth and pour it into the bottom of the pan, avoiding the turkey.
6. Start Roasting: Cover the turkey loosely with foil and place it in the oven. Roast for 30 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350°F (or 325°F for convection). Baste the turkey with the pan juices.
7. Continue Roasting: Roast the turkey for about 3 hours, or approximately 15 minutes per pound, until the internal temperature reaches 160°F. Every 25 minutes, alternate between basting with the pan juices and brushing the turkey with the remaining glaze. For the final 25 minutes, remove the foil to allow the skin to crisp and turn golden brown.
8. Rest and Serve the Turkey: Once the turkey is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest, covered, for 20 minutes before carving. Serve the turkey with the cranberries, onions, and pan juices. Garnish with additional rosemary

Huckleberry Pie

Last, but certainly not least, we have dessert! You could always opt for a yummy apple or pumpkin pie (Costco has delicious ones), but if you really want to narrow in on that Montana-inspired flavor for your final Thanksgiving dish of the night, pick up our pre-made Huckleberry Pie Filling by Huckleberry Haven.

Crafted with care in Kalispell, Montana, this huckleberry filling is no small task. Each berry had to be handpicked in the Montana mountains since huckleberries can't be grown commercially. With bears as competitors, baking a huckleberry pie becomes a rare delight!

Ingredients:

• 1 Jar (20 oz) Huckleberry Haven Huckleberry Pie Filling
• 1 Package of Refrigerated Pie Crust (Or Homemade Crust, if Preferred)
• 1 Tablespoon of Unsalted Butter, Cut into Small Pieces
• 1 Egg, Beaten (For Egg Wash)
• 1 Tablespoon Sugar (Optional, For Sprinkling)

Directions:

1. Prepare the Crust: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Roll out one pie crust and press it into a 9-inch pie pan, trimming any excess. Prick the bottom lightly with a fork.
2. Fill the Pie: Pour the Huckleberry Haven Huckleberry Pie Filling into the prepared crust. Spread it evenly.
3. Add Butter: Dot the filling with small pieces of butter to enhance the flavor.
4. Top Crust: Roll out the second pie crust and lay it over the filling. Seal the edges by crimping them with a fork or your fingers. Cut a few small slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape. If desired, create a lattice design with the top crust for a decorative finish.
5. Egg Wash: Brush the top crust with beaten egg for a golden color. Sprinkle with sugar, if desired, for a touch of sweetness.
6. Bake: Place the pie on a baking sheet to catch any drips, and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
7. Cool: Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool for at least 2 hours to set before slicing.