GTKY: Thanksgiving Menus!

imrachellea · November 2015

In the season of the holiday, and the fact that FOOD is a hot topic for us, what are you planning for Thanksgiving? And share your favorite recipe if you have it! I could use some fresh ideas. I've been making the same menu for several years and while its DELICIOUS, I'm looking to shake things up!

imrachellea · November 2015

We are having Thanksgiving early this year (on Sunday actually!) since we'll be OOT in Disney

So the planning is in the "ready to go shopping" stage for me!

*Smoked turkey (DH's responsibility, but I did shoot him a honey brined and apple brined recipe today...!)

*Stuffing (still stuck on this one...not DH's favorite so we usually just do Stove Top but I'm craving stuffing in the WORST way, so I'm looking for a homemade version, perhaps a cornbread stuffing? Last year I did the bacon wrapped stuffing balls...)

*Smoked cheddar mashed baby reds

*Jiffy corn casserole

*Green bean casserole (with cream of chicken instead of yucky mushroom)

*Pumpkin pecan cheesecake (*link! https://ladywiththeredrocker.com/2011/11/22/pumpkin-pecan-cheesecake/)

ETA: I think I have found my stuffing recipe! Betty Crocker Crescent Cornbread Stuffing...mmm sounds delish! https://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/crescent-cornbread-dressing/de4dd455-f6f0-421b-b77c-e30334d1f498

ivyvines6 · November 2015

Ugh I wish I could link to everything I'm making this year! With my mobile version if I leave the page the app is on it logs me out...

Fiancé is making the turkey, since I've only had deep fried my entire life and he prefers the oven method. (I don't even like turkey, so whatever.)

I'm making Alton Brown's stuffing, I think it's celery, onion, green bell pepper, sourdough bread, and herbs? (Links would be helpful, I know) Which I'm going to take some of to make bacon wrapped stuffing, as an appetizer/snack.

Roasted Red Potatoes, Green Beans, Mushroom Caps, and Carrots, with Thyme, Basil, Parsley, and S&P

Giblet gravy (someone PLEASE post a recipe for this!)

Cranberry Sauce

Eggnogg Cheesecake (I will post the recipe when I get it out of storage, I promise!)

Also planning on a bottle of sweet Riesling with dinner.

Jacjacmarie · November 2015

Bacon wrapped stuffing balls!! That sounds awesome....

momofmanyinthemitten · November 2015

We're going to my family's thanksgiving this year, so 30-40 people and it's potluck. I will probably bring cranberries with green apples and raspberries. There's a huge spread that always includes turkey, ham, and brats/sauerkraut, in addition to the veggies and desserts. The only thing that will be different this year will be the absence of all nut products, as DS is allergic

imrachellea · November 2015

The bacon wrapped stuffing balls are AWESOME! Because they are already enhanced with the bacon, I don't bother with a fancy homemade version, I just make Stove Top from a box using the microwave directions. Then wrap each tablespoon sized ball in a half slice of uncooked bacon, secure with a toothpick, and bake at 350 until the bacon is crispy! I start checking them after 30 minutes. My recipe said only 15 minutes was needed, but they needed at least 45 in my oven!

imrachellea · November 2015

Does anyone have a good roasted root vegetable recipe? I have been really digging veggies lately (thank goodness, because I couldn't stomach them until around week 14!) and I would love a healthy addition to the table...

ivyvines6 · November 2015

imrachellea said:
The bacon wrapped stuffing balls are AWESOME! Because they are already enhanced with the bacon, I don't bother with a fancy homemade version, I just make Stove Top from a box using the microwave directions. Then wrap each tablespoon sized ball in a half slice of uncooked bacon, secure with a toothpick, and bake at 350 until the bacon is crispy! I start checking them after 30 minutes. My recipe said only 15 minutes was needed, but they needed at least 45 in my oven!

I know I'm weird, but I don't like most things out of a box, and stuffing from a box is just blech to me. My uncle used to make the most incredible Oyster Stuffing from scratch though, which probably contributes to me not liking the boxed kind.

imrachellea · November 2015

@Knottie9983816 Lol no worries, you can do it with whatever stuffing you like. I just like stuffing...ALL stuffing...and I just wanted to get this on the table ASAP and Stove Top was the easiest way to ensure that

AmadorRose · November 2015

I'm stealing these. Still trying to convince DH to let me host for the people I work with who don't have family here but I am DEFINITELY making eggnog cheesecake. Oh. My.

mrstrax · November 2015

Thanksgiving is just with SIL's family this year (both sets of Grandparents are visiting out of state siblings) and I'm so excited for the amount of leftovers that means there will be

And I get to split the cooking with SIL. Woot. Here's our list:

Turkey*

Green bean casserole*

Stuffing (Stove Top)

Macaroni Corn casserole

Some form of potato/sweet potato?

Gifta (DH's family traditional cranberry side. I think it's nasty personally)

Homemade Crescent Rolls*

Pecan Pie

Ree Drummond's Caramel Apple Pie* (https://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/scrumptous-and_i_do_mean_scrumptous-apple_pie/)

Drinks*: Apple cider, Octoberfest, DP, DP10, Whole Milk for kids

ivyvines6 · November 2015

OMG this is totally happening with leftovers!!! Might use same recipe with pumpkin and freeze

https://www.cookingchanneltv.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/turkey-and-cranberry-ravioli.html

Edit because who posts something to specifically share a link then forgets the link??? Ha-ha!

Jacjacmarie · November 2015

@iamrachellea I will def try those this year!

huskerfan246 · November 2015

Everyone is making me hungry! Unfortunately we are going to be displaced from our house and stuck living in a hotel during Thanksgiving due to our house renovation so no cooking for us. I will probably end up going to my extended family gathering which is a potluck and everyone brings a dish or two. When I go I usually take dessert, which this year will probably be Pecan Pie and Red Velvet Cheesecake (will have to prepare at my moms place).

@mrstrax what all is on your Macaroni Corn Casserole? That sounds really good.

allaire314 · November 2015

@iamrachellea Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake sounds amazing!!! The best of both worlds, YUM! =P~

Our menu consists of:

Turkey and Ham

Homemade stuffing

Sweet potato casserole

Broccoli casserole

Mashed potatoes and gravy

This amazing raspberry, orange cranberry jello awesomeness my mom makes ( because I hate canned cranberry nonsense)

And black olives... we always have a bowl of black olives on the table and it's perfect. My first non family Thanksgiving I cried when there were no black olives.

BrittnyS10 · November 2015

Last 2 years we had this stuffing for our holiday with DHs family, it was sooooo good: https://www.thetasteplace.com/2010/12/06/sourdough-parmesan-artichoke-stuffing/

I think I want to try making these spinach balls in the next week, and if I like them I might make them for thanksgiving with my family this year: https://www.thekitchenismyplayground.com/2011/07/spinach-balls.html?m=1

We also have turkey, mashed potatoes (really good when make with cream cheese), gravy, green bean casserole, usually some sort of yams or sweet potatoes, and I dont even remember what all else.

My family usually does a large appetizer course 1-2 hours before thanksgiving dinner. For this we have chips and veggies with dip, hawaiian sweet bread with spinach dip, fruit salad, cheese and crackers, cookies, etc.

And for dessert we have pie of course! My aunt makes a great pecan pie (drooling over here just thinking of it). And one of my SIL makes an old-fashioned cream pie that is ah-MAZE-ing! I'll see if I can find the recipe...

MrsCayEye · November 2015

We do thanksgiving dinner at DH's aunt's house at noon and then we eat dinner at my mom's at 6, so I usually just bring a side or two to contribute. I just saw this recipe for Cranberry Cornbread Casserole yesterday and made it with dinner last night and I will definitely be making it to bring to thanksgiving because it was so good/easy!

mrstrax · November 2015

huskerfan246 said:

Everyone is making me hungry! Unfortunately we are going to be displaced from our house and stuck living in a hotel during Thanksgiving due to our house renovation so no cooking for us. I will probably end up going to my extended family gathering which is a potluck and everyone brings a dish or two. When I go I usually take dessert, which this year will probably be Pecan Pie and Red Velvet Cheesecake (will have to prepare at my moms place). @mrstrax what all is on your Macaroni Corn Casserole? That sounds really good.

I'll ask my SIL for the recipe - it's one from their family that I don't I've stolen yet

)

randilea0110 · November 2015

We have 2 thanksgiving meals to attend this year. On Thanksgiving we will go to MIL and FIL's a couple hours away so we can't bring anything hot. I usually bring homemade cranberry sauce because MIL thinks that canned is good and it doesn't even compare to homemade. I also usually bring all of the fixings for a vegetable casserole that my mom has been making since I was a kid because she hates green bean casserole.

1 bag of california mix veggies (broccoli cauliflower and carrots)

1 can cream of mushroom soup

8 oz of sour cream

1 bag of co-jack cheese

1 small container of french's fried onions

Mix everything except 1/2 of the fried onions in a casserole dish. Bake at 350 for 45 min to 1 hour or until center is hot. Sprinkle the remaining onions on top and serve immediately because it cools very fast.

At my mom's house I will make whatever she asks me to. She pretty much hates help in the kitchen so I try to steer clear of it but ask about 100 times during the course of the day if she needs help with anything.

Ready4theParty · November 2015

The usual but I am putting in a request for my dad's homemade stuffing. I usually don't liike it but it sounds amazing right now

iamrandom · November 2015

imrachellea said:

Does anyone have a good roasted root vegetable recipe? I have been really digging veggies lately (thank goodness, because I couldn't stomach them until around week 14!) and I would love a healthy addition to the table...

No link, but here's my go-to:

Roasted root vegetables

3-4 pounds assorted root vegetables (Celery root, turnip, parsnip, yams, boniato, rutabaga)
2 large red onions cut into 8 wedges
1/2 cup olive oil
2 sprigs each sage and rosemary
1/4 cup chopped parsley
Salt and pepper
Brown sugar*
Vanilla extract*
Balsamic vinegar*

Preheat oven to 375.

Peel each root and cut into cubes, approximately 1 inch. Toss in a bowl with enough olive oil to coat everything evenly. Season with salt-and-pepper, tossing again into everything is equally distributed. Add starred ingredients to taste.

Add the sage and Rosemary and place in a baking dish and cover with foil. Bake for about 45 minutes until all the vegetables are tender. Sprinkle with the Parsley leaves, mix well, and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

AGK2015 · November 2015

We're not cooking (we never do), but the hostess for his big family get-together has made us responsible for bringing a salad. Um. Typically, when I feel like having a salad, it comes out of a bag, because I am tooooooo lazy to spend all that time chopping vegetables. Any suggestions, ladies?

BrittnyS10 · November 2015

@iamrandom that roasted root veggies recipe sounds awesome! Im so gonna have to make that!

Brandi81012 · November 2015

I am so HUNGRY now!

cmjenkies · November 2015

I'm not making anything - we go to family out of town and I usually just help with peeling potatoes and cutting celery, odds and ends. I do supply a bottle of wine for the evening wine and LRC party we go to every year.

iamrandom · November 2015

Menu:

- Rolls (my husband does these--it's his grandmother's recipe and they are to die for/really labor intensive, so they only get trotted out on Thanksgiving)

- Fried Turkey (we use an electric fryer, one of those Waring models from Williams Sonoma--highly recommended if this is something you're into)

- Sausage, Apple, Brie Stuffing (https://www.lifesambrosia.com/2012/11/sausage-apple-and-brie-stuffing-recipe.html)

- Candied Pecan Sweet Potato Casserole (https://lecremedelacrumb.com/2014/10/candied-pecan-sweet-potato-casserole.html)

- Mashed Potatoes (family recipe, but it's basically just potatoes, whole milk, and SO MUCH BUTTER)

- Cranberry Sauce (again, no link, but it's a cranberry sauce flavored with orange and mint--if anyone is interested let me know and I'll toss the recipe in this thread)

- Roasted Root Veggies (recipe above)

- Apple Pie (https://allrecipes.com/recipe/12106/apple-crunch-pie-i/)

We have a couple of people bringing other desserts, so we'll be good there. I still need another side or two, so I'm going to check out the recipes you guys posted!

iamrandom · November 2015

@brittnyS10It really is so delicious! A friend of mine passed along the recipe a couple of years ago and it's always a huge hit. Hope you like it!

mojomama6 · November 2015

We're headed to dinner with my extended family this year. Potluck, and I've been assigned pie. One pumpkin has been requested, and I'm not sure what else I'll take. I want pecan, but my recipe has (and needs) bourbon, so most of my religious family won't eat it.
Also, even though it's potluck, I'll be bringing most of a dinner for dd2,who is dairy allergic. My family just can't seem to handle this restriction, so I'll bring her turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, a veggie, and oh crap, something I forgot. My mom is making sure she has dressing and rolls (my mom does fine with no dairy, it's the rest of them).
And if I'm honest, I'll probably end up making my own dressing so I cam have leftovers, because my homemade cranberry cornbread dressing is way fancier than my mom's doctored boxed sage dressing.
Now I'm wishing we were hosting this year. I just want a whole Thanksgiving done my way...

ladylolly89 · November 2015

We are having two Thanksgivinh dinners, one with DH's family around noon and one with mine in the evening. My MIL usually does most of the cooking, and my SILs and I contribute sides. I'll either be doing potatoes or rolls this year. I really want to do potatoes because I always make rolls/bread for their family gatherings. Neither other SIL can make bread so I get stuck with it! I'll also bring a pie.

I'm doing a lot more of the planning/cooking for my family's meal.
We'll have:
-Stuffed roasted turkey breast with an herb rub/baste and DH's amazing homemade stuffing
-homemade cranberry sauce
-green bean casserole
-sweet potato pecan crunch casserole with marshmallows on top
-relish tray
-bread
-mashed potatoes and homemade turkey gravy
-pumpkin pie
-French silk pie
-some yummy red wine
-something bubbly and non-alcoholic for my 12-year-old siblings

mrstrax · November 2015

@huskerfan246 Here it is - definitely a recipe that tastes better NOT knowing how bad it is for you... but hey, corn right?

1 can corn (not drained)
1 can creamed corn
1/2 stick butter
1 cup macaroni
1 cup Velveeta cheese, cubed (~1/2 the log)
salt and pepper to taste

Mix together and pour into a sprayed casserole dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 60 minutes (first 30 minutes with cover on).

Monicagail1 · November 2015

We haven't entirely decided where thanksgiving will be this year. Despite my proclamation that I would not host this year, it will probably end up being at our house with about 12 guests. I hate having to clean my house and prepare, but I do like having complete control over the menu, lol.

Turkey
Stuffing (personally I love stove top, but my mother would drop dead on the spot if we had anything but homemade)
Mashed potatoes/gravy
Jiffy corn casserole
Green bean casserole
Sweet potato casserole with brown sugar topping (heaven)
Homemade rolls
Deviled eggs
Various salads and desserts

We always make way too much food. I swear, thanksgiving is my fave food holiday

imrachellea · November 2015

@AGK2015 Are they stuck on a salad that is primarily lettuce/greens based? I have an amazing Thai quinoa salad full of bright fresh veggies. We usually add chicken to make it a full meal, but without is a great side. Or you could do a salad of mixed dark greens (baby kale, arugula, etc), add chopped green apples, candied walnuts or pecans, dried cranberries, feta or gorgonzola cheese and a creamy poppyseed dressing. Ooooh man, now I want that! I've been craving some serious salad/raw veggies lately!!

K&Elizabeth · November 2015

@imrachellea squash isn't a root veggie, but I always do roasted acorn squash. I cut each squash in half and rub them down with olive oil. Roast at 400 until fork tender. I sprinkle on salt, pepper, brown sugar, and paprika then out a pat of butter in each. Heavenly

AmadorRose · November 2015

@mojomama6 correct me if I'm wrong but shouldn't the actual alcohol content cook out? My family has several functioning alcoholics and the rest are pretty heavy drinkers, so I'm not sure how it works with families whose religion doesn't allow imbibing.

mojomama6 · November 2015

@AmadorRose Yes, the actual alcohol cooks out. My family is LDS, and the prohibition on alcohol is open to a little bit of interpretation. Some, especially of the older generation, feel it's OK as long as it's cooked. My grandpa didn't even see a problem with rum-soaked fruitcake, which his mom made...but the family has now "lost" her recipe. And I have an aunt who doesn't see anything wrong with sampling the wine while one is cooking with it. I do that, too. Others, particularly the younger generation, or those whose families aren't members, are very strict about it and don't eat anything in which alcohol has been used at any point. Some won't if they know there's booze in the food, but also won't ask.,and don't get upset or anything if they find out later.
I guess that was a really long way to say, my dad will eat it, and my grandpa would have, but not anyone else aside from myself and my husband, and I'm quite sure at least two people would have rather a lot of nasty things to say if I brought it.

AmadorRose · November 2015

@mojomama6 the really important thing I'm getting out of this is more pie for the pregnant lady!

Honestly though, thank you for explaining. My family is Catholic and DH's is Hispanic so they're all pretty big drinkers, or were in their Hay day. DH doesn't really drink anymore because of some past troubles/family issues and I don't like much more than a beer or glass of wine with dinner, but where I'm from that's a cultural thing. Catholics feel that alcohol is fine in moderation and I don't have much exposure to the principles of other religions.

Knottie95545976 · November 2015

I'm craving so many things now.... my god.

huskerfan246 · November 2015

@mrstrax oh that sounds amazing. We have a deep freezer full of corn from our garden and always looking for new recipes to use it. Thanks for the recipe!

mojomama6 · November 2015

@AmadorRose Yes! You have convinced me to take pecan because more for me! Hahaha!
And I'm more than happy to try to explain this weird and sometimes confusing religion ☺

blonde_mama · November 2015

@mojomama6 I'm LDS as well! We don't drink alcohol but we cook with it once in while! Your pie sounds delish lol.

gingercatNJ · November 2015

AGK2015 said:

We're not cooking (we never do), but the hostess for his big family get-together has made us responsible for bringing a salad. Um. Typically, when I feel like having a salad, it comes out of a bag, because I am tooooooo lazy to spend all that time chopping vegetables. Any suggestions, ladies?

I do fruit/nut/cheese salads. For example, bagged baby spinach, dried cranberries, canned mandarin orange, chopped walnuts, crumbled goat cheese, and avocado. The only thing that needs cutting is the avocado, and everyone seems to love it!

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