Motive’s Thanksgiving Favorites

All over the world, enjoying food together presents a wonderful opportunity to share stories, engage our senses, and appreciate cultures and experiences different from our own. Sharing and devouring food together with your friends and family is always the biggest highlight of the festive season.

If you want to level up your Thanksgiving game, our team members have you covered. Whether you’re looking for a savory side or something sweet, allow us to let you in our favorites.

Mains and sides

Kare-Kare — A Filipino Twist

By Jathniel Salas, Senior Instructional Designer

Explore the delicious complexity of Filipino cuisine with Kare-Kare, a savory, peanut-butter-infused dish that will add an international flair to your Thanksgiving spread.

Ingredients:

• Pork belly
• Peanut butter
• Eggplant
• String beans
• Bagoong (shrimp paste)
• Garlic & onion

Directions:

• Pressure cook the pork; fry eggplant; steam vegetables.
• Sauté garlic, and onion, and add peanut butter and shrimp paste for the sauce.
• Combine all in a bowl.

Mama’s Macaroni Pie — A Cherished Family Recipe

By Rachel Hockema, Associate Business Operations Manager

Bringing a touch of family tradition to your table, this macaroni pie is a creamy, cheesy delight with generations of love baked in.

Ingredients:

• Elbow macaroni (1lb)
• Evaporated milk (12 oz can)
• Egg (1)
• Salted butter (4 tablespoons)
• Shredded cheese, sharp and mild cheddar mix (20 oz)
• Salt and pepper

Directions:

• Cook macaroni al dente; mix evaporated milk, egg, salt, and pepper.
• Layer macaroni, cheese, and butter in a greased dish; pour milk mixture over.
• Bake at 375°F — 25 minutes covered, then 5–10 minutes uncovered.

Paleo Sweet Potato Casserole — A Healthier, Flavorful Option

By Breana Tobias, Employer Branding and Communications Manager

This sweet potato casserole is a must-try with its smooth texture and crunchy pecan topping for those seeking a healthier or allergy-friendly option without sacrificing taste.

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs Sweet potatoes
• ¾ cup Almond milk ( unsweetened)
• 2 Eggs
• ½ cup Almond flour
• 2 tsp Cinnamon
• ¾ cup Palm sugar
• 1 tsp Salt
• ⅝ cup Coconut oil
• 1 ½ Raw pecans

Instructions:

• Boil and mash sweet potatoes; mix with coconut oil, almond milk, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in eggs.
• For the topping: Combine pecans, sugar, flour, cinnamon, salt, and coconut oil.
• Spread sweet potato mix in a dish, top with pecan mixture, and bake for 30 minutes at 350°F.

Chicken Pasta Salad

By Sidra Kaukad, Software Engineer QA

This pasta salad combines all those tasty ingredients you can’t get enough of. It has protein, cheese, pasta, and loads of veggies. Even though it’s a side dish, it can also be made into a complete meal as it’s a dish that won’t leave you hungry.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups shell, rotini, or bowtie pasta
• 2 cups diced cucumber
• 1 cup corns
• 1 cup blanched carrots
• ¼ cup diced capsicum
• 1 cup avocado (optional)
• 1 cup Olives halved
• 2 cups cooked BBQ chicken chunks (or mini sausages sliced)
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• Salt and Pepper to taste
• 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 3 Tbsp Mayonnaise
• 4 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1/2 Tsp lemon zest
• 1 ½. Tbsp mustard paste
• ½ Tsp dried oregano
• A handful of fresh parsley

Instructions:

Dressing

• In a small cup or bowl add the Mayo + mustard sauce and whisk together.
• Add in the salt, pepper, oregano, and lemon zest and give a rough mix.
• Add the lemon juice and apple cider little by little- keep whisking until your desired consistency.

Salad

• Dice all veggies roughly the same size. Pat them dry to remove any access liquids.
• In a large bowl add veggies, BBQ chicken, and the cheese- give it a light mix.
• Add the pasta to your bowl, pour over your dressing, and mix thoroughly.
• Throw in a bunch of roughly chopped fresh parsley and you’re ready to serve.

Calico Beans

By Meagan Harris, People Operations Analyst

This recipe has been a family favorite for over 20 years in Meagan’s family! They have this dish at almost every family gathering as it comes highly requested. It’s sweet, tangy, colorful, and savory.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb. bacon (cooked & crumbled)
• 1/2 lb. lean ground beef
• 1 c. chopped onion
• 1/2 c. brown sugar
• 1 tbs. molasses (dark syrup)
• 1 tbs. cider vinegar
• 1 tbs. mustard
• 1/2 c. ketchup
• 1–15 oz. black beans (rinsed & drained)
• 1–15 oz. can butter or great northern beans (undrained)
• 1–15 oz. can dark red kidney beans (undrained)
• 1–15 oz. can pork & beans (undrained)

Instructions:

• Brown beef and onions; drain
• Add remaining ingredients. Stir well. Pour into baking dish
• Bake for 30 minutes @ 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

El Dorado Beef Casserole

By Brian Iannessa, Senior Internal Communications Manager

This beefy, cheesy, Tex-Mex classic will have you going in for seconds and thirds!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 t. minced onion
• ½ t. garlic salt
• 2 8 oz. cans tomato juice
• 1 cup sliced olives
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1 small can chili salsa
• 1 bag Doritos
• 1 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese

Instructions:

• Brown meat, onion, and garlic salt.
• Add in tomato juice and olives.
• Let simmer for a few minutes.
• Mix in cheeses and salsa in a separate bowl.
• In a casserole dish, layer in the following order: layer of Doritos; layer of meat; layer of cheese mix, layer of extra grated cheese. Repeat layers.
• Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes.

Wolf’s Yams

By Kelly Gonzalez, Director, Employee Experience, DE&I

This candied yam casserole is a highly requested side dish for the holidays. Feel free to cut the butter and sugar for a slightly less rich occasion or double the topping if you have a sweet tooth.

Ingredients:

• 5. Large yams (garnett)
• ½ cup. Butter (soft)
• ½ cup. sugar
• 2. eggs (beaten)
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1/3 cup. milk

Topping

• ½ cup Whipping cream
• 1 cup. Brown sugar
• 1/3 cup Melted butter
• 1 cup Whole pecans

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Skin and cut up the yams and boil until soft.
• Mash and mix with the rest of the casserole ingredients.
• Pour yam mix into a 9 x 13 casserole dish.

Topping

• Simmer cream and add brown sugar.
• Stir for 25 min (caramelize).
• After it thickens, remove from heat and add butter and pecans.
• Spread over the casserole and bake for 30 minutes until bubbly.

Slow Cooker Acorn Squash

By Heather Thomas, L&D Senior Program Manager

We love this recipe because you throw it in a slow cooker and move on! This one’s for people who don’t compromise on flavor but want to regain time with friends and family.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup water
• 1 acorn squash
• 1/8 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp. nutmeg
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp. butter

Instructions:

• Add the 1/2 cup water to a large oval slow cooker.
• Cut the squash in half down the middle.
• Place the acorn squash in the slow cooker flesh up.
• Sprinkle over the cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar evenly onto the squash.
• Add 1 tablespoon of sliced of butter in the middle of each acorn squash half.
• Cover and cook on high for 3.5 hours without opening the lid while it cooks.

Serve and enjoy!

For people with a sweet tooth, double the butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar!

Vanilla Bourbon Cranberry Sauce

By Ari Skallerud, IT Support Engineer

This fresh and zesty cranberry sauce will liven up any plate, and Ari swears by it. We wouldn’t mind a big helping of it on ours, please!

Ingredients:

• 24oz Cranberries
• 1/2 cup Water
• 1/2 cup Orange Juice
• 2 cup Sugar
• 1 1/2 cup Brown Sugar
• 1 cup Brown Sugar Bourbon
• 1/2 Zest of Orange
• 2 tbsp Vanilla Bean Paste
• 3 tsp Gelatine

Instructions:

• In a large pot, bring water, orange juice, sugar, and bourbon to a boil.
• Gently pour vanilla, cranberries, and orange zest into the pot.
• Simmer on medium heat for 30 minutes stirring occasionally.
• Add gelatine if you want a thicker consistency and to help set, if desired.
• Bring temp to low and simmer 20 more in or until desired thickness is reached
• Chill for 12–24 hours. Keep in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Desserts

Aunt Lora’s Banana Bread

By Kim McCune, Senior Director, Talent Management and Engagement

Kim loves the simplicity and care that goes into her Aunt Lora’s banana bread recipe. Making it takes her back to watching her bake — taking in the smell of ripe bananas and vanilla. Each slice is a blend of flavors and stands as a reminder of traditions in her family. This recipe is timeless.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups white sugar
• 4 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 3 cups flour
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp nutmeg
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup sour cream
• 4 medium bananas, mashed
• 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour (Pam baking spray works just fine) a 9x13 pan.
• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla and beat until fluffy.
• Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Mix into the sugar mixture until smooth.
• Fold in sour cream, bananas, and walnuts.
• Bake at 350 for approx. 45–50 minutes (keep an eye on it) until the tester in the center comes out clean.
• Let the loaf cool for approximately 5–10 minutes. Brush melted butter gently onto the surface of the cake, then sprinkle white sugar and cinnamon over the cake’s surface.

Cheesecake Flan

By Jeremy Monin, Software Engineer

From Jeremy’s college days to your Thanksgiving table, this dessert combines rich, creamy flavors in a perfectly balanced treat. It’s a family favorite, and something he loves making every year.

Ingredients:

• ¾ cup Granulated sugar
• 12 oz can Evaporated milk
• 14 oz can Condensed milk
• 8 oz soft cream cheese
• 5 Eggs
• 1 Tsp Vanilla extract

Instructions:

• Heat sugar on medium-low heat for caramel and pour into a round 2qt casserole dish.
• Place evaporated and condensed milk, cream cheese, egg, and vanilla in blender. Blend well and pour into casserole dish.
• Place the casserole in 13" x 9" baking dish, and fill that surrounding dish with 1" warm water.
• Bake at 350 F for 80–90 minutes; chill before serving
• Can be accompanied by fresh fruit.

Sweet Cheese Pie

By Carl Mitchell, Software Engineer, Embedded

Another family dish rooted in tradition, Carl’s grandmother made this cheesecake pie for Thanksgiving each year. His mom now bakes this every Thanksgiving, and its simplicity and richness will have you going in for many a slice. Be sure to give this one a try.

Ingredients:

Filling, bottom layer

• 8 oz Cream Cheese
• 1 cup Sugar
• 1 Egg

Filling, top layer

• 1 pint Sour Cream
• 2 tbsp Sugar
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract

Crust

• 1 1/4 cups Graham Cracker Crumbs
• 1/4 cup Sugar
• 1/3 cup Melted Butter

Instructions:

Make crust

• In a small bowl, stir together 1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs and 1/4 cup sugar. Add 1/3 cup melted butter. Toss until well combined.
• Spread mixture on the bottom and sides of a 9–10" pie plate. Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm.

Make filling, bottom layer

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Have all ingredients at room temperature.
• In a large bowl, mix the 8 oz cream cheese, 1 cup sugar, and 1 egg very well. The mix should be very smooth.
• Pour mix into graham cracker crust and bake for 20 minutes.
• Cool well on a rack. The oven will be needed at the same temperature for the next step, leave it on or pre-heat before that.

Make filling, top layer

• Mix the 1 pint sour cream, 2 tbsp sugar, and 1 tsp vanilla extract well.
• Once the bottom layer is cool, top it with this mix.
• Bake again at 350°F for 20 minutes.
• Cool and then refrigerate overnight.

Prepare to impress your guests and make this Thanksgiving one for the books with these elevated recipes. Wishing everyone a healthy and happy holiday season. Bon appétit!

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