The sound of football on TV, doorbells ringing, dogs barking, the smell of turkey roasting…it must be Thanksgiving! 

This uniquely American holiday is all about food, which can be a little intimidating if you’re hosting for the first time or if you need to adjust your favorite recipes to accommodate the food allergies of your guests (or yourself!). But don’t worry—Thanksgiving is also all about gratitude and spending time with folks you love, so take a deep breath because we have some tips for you!

First of all, remembering special moments of Thanksgivings past can help to remind you about what is really important. That one of a kind jiggle of the cranberry sauce sliding out of the can? Delightful. Grandma’s creamed spinach? Couldn’t eat enough. You can bring some of those fond memories to the table this year by doing your own spin—give that cranberry sauce center stage on a beautiful dish that reminds you of your mom. Or use a table cloth like Grandma’s. There are so many ways to make connections with your favorite moments and share them with your friends and family now.

Also, Thanksgiving is not a fussy holiday! If you are most comfortable with the classics, do them! If you want to change it up and make those cranberries from scratch, go for it! Many of the classics now present food allergy challenges and Sarah has created gluten and dairy free versions that are just as mouth watering and nostalgic as the originals, without the health risks. If you’re looking to go outside the box for a hearty harvest dish everyone can enjoy, check out her recipe for Roasted Acorn Squash with Poblano Pesto. There truly are no hard and fast rules here!

At Denver Cooking Classes, connection and creating memories with food is the goal and Thanksgiving is no exception. Whether sticking to old favorites, adjusting recipes to fit the needs of your guests, or prepare something completely new—just make sure you have fun doing it. Happy Thanksgiving!