Thanksgiving Menu

[DeniseM]

I made my grocery list yesterday and I thought I'd share my menu and ask other Tugger's what they are serving.

Relish Tray
Turkey & cranberry sauce
Traditional Dressing
Autum Harvest Salad
Sweet Potatoes with a vanilla glaze
Garlic Mashed Potatoes w/gravy
Dressed-up Green Bean Casserole
3 kinds of rolls
Pumpkin Pie (homemade)
Cranberry-Apple Cobbler (homemade)

 

[DebBrown]

Thanksgiving is such an easy meal because our family expects - or should I say DEMANDS - the traditional menu.

Having said that, I'd be interested in knowing your "Dressed-Up Green Bean Casserole" recipe. I am always obligated to make a green bean casserole and wonder how many people actually like it.

Deb

 

[ctreelmom]

Don't forget the cranberry sauce! I make a whole-berry one with Grand Marnier and buy the requisite can of the jellied kind.

What do you put in your stuffing? I like sausage, apples and onions.

 

[Fern Modena]

We'll have eleven people over. We always have a gathering of our "new family," friends who have no family nearby.

Jerry will do most of the cooking. I'll help, and do setup and cleanup with my sister Irene.

Here's the menu (all homemade except the turkey):

• Italian Wedding Soup (with homemade meatballs)
• Green Salad
• Smoked Turkey (from Memphis BBQ)
• Spiral Sliced Ham
• Dressing with Italian Sausage
• Mashed Potatoes with Turkey Gravy on the side
• Croissants
• Cranberry, Pear and Ginger Sauce
• Green Bean Casserole (brought by a guest)
• Apple/Squash Casserole (brought by a guest)
• Roasted Root Vegetables
• Sangria
• Lemoncello
• Pumpkin Roll
• Chocolate Eclairs
• Panetone Bread Pudding

Seems like a lot of food, no? We have a lot of side dishes because we like them, and two of our friends (who we also like!) are vegetarians.

Everyone who wants them gets leftovers to take home.

Fern

 

[pjrose]

Wow, so many different dishes - I like to keep it simple:

turkey
homemade stuffing (bread, celery, onion, apple, sage)
gravy
roasted sweet potatoes
steamed fresh green beans
salad (maybe)
cranberry/orange relish (recipe on the cranberry bag)
pumpkin pie and apple pie from the farmer's market

Lucky for us, we usually to a relatives' house, and lucky for them, they have a cook and bring in extra help for the day!

Sometimes we've been in a timeshare for Thanksgiving - then we get a boneless turkey breast, a package of stuffing and can of chicken broth to make it with, a jar or can of gravy, some yams or sweet potatoes, and a pie. Quick, easy, and no stress.

 

[mshatty]

I made my grocery list yesterday and I thought I'd share my menu and ask other Tugger's what they are serving.

Relish Tray
Turkey
Traditional Dressing
Autum Harvest Salad
Sweet Potatoes with a vanilla glaze
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Dressed-up Green Bean Casserole
3 kinds of rolls
Pumpkin Pie
Cranberry-Apple Cobbler

Ummmm, what time do we show up?

 

[luvsvacation22]

Don't forget the cranberry sauce! I make a whole-berry one with Grand Marnier and buy the requisite can of the jellied kind.

What do you put in your stuffing? I like sausage, apples and onions.

Your cranberry sauce sounds delicious! I make my stuffing with sausage, apples, (all the traditional stuff celery, sage, onions) and dried cranberries!

Our menu:
Brie baked in bread ( served with crackers)
Lumpia ( Filipino egg rolls, I learned how to make from friends)
bruschetta
Black Pearl or Early California olives

Roasted Turkey
cranberry, sausage and apple stuffing
mashed potatoes and gravy
rolls
cranberry-orange sauce
yam casserole
fresh green beans

Pumpkin Pie
homemade cheesecake
homemade apple Carmel pie

How do you make your cranberry sauce with Grand Marnier

 

[senorak]

Yummy! Our menu will consist of items from the catering menu of "Boston Market", plus a few "home cooked" items. (I am normally away for the Thanksgiving holiday, but due to a shortened school break this year, have decided to stay home.) My kids just want "to relax" and enjoy the day off----sleep in late, watch football, etc......and with most of my extended family either on vacation or having other plans, we have decided to "simplify" this year, and let Boston Market do the bulk of our cooking.

Deb

 

[hefleycatz]

Our menu includes:

**Deviled Eggs** lots
Turkey
Honeybaked Ham
Homemade Beef N Noodles
Mashed Potatos
Gravy
Relish/Veggie Tray with dip
2 kinds of stuffing - Oyster and Cornbread
Stuffed Mushrooms
GreenBean Casserole
Something cranberry (maybe with fresh crabapples added)always try to do something different
Sweet Potato casserole
Rolls
Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Pie and Pecan Pie
and probably a couple other things I haven't thought of

 

[Fitzriley]

I am also making the traditional turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce using recipe from the package, fresh green beans, sweet potatoes, creamed onions, but am adding a new recipe I found online this year:

Autumn Squash Casserole
Serves 8
1 stick (8 tablespoons) butter, melted
1 medium onion, chopped
5 pounds (about 2 or 3 medium) butternut
squash, peeled, cut into ½-inch pieces
1½ cups orange juice
½ cup maple syrup
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
Place butter, onion, squash, and orange juice in the slow cooker. Cook on Low for 6 to 10 hours, or on High for 3 to 4 hours. Add the maple syrup, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Using a potato masher, mash the ingredients until smooth; serve warm.


Would love that grand marnier cranberry recipe also.

Joan

 

[Twinkstarr]

If I was staying home, I would be bound to the traditional menu thanks to my stick in the mud sister.

Turkey(no butterball, but from a local turkey farm) high heat roasted(love Cook's Illustrated).

Homemade stuffing(yes, I start with cubing up a couple of loaves of bread). Stuffing is cooked separate.

MP-plain

Gravy-though I have been known to use William Sonoma's gravy base(SIM sister approved).

Green beans with sauteed mushrooms

Cranberry-jello(use the cranberry-orange relish, rasberries, 7up) the darn recipe is way older than me.

Homemade pumpkin pies, no pillsbury roll out crust it doesn't fit in my deep pie pans.


I would also love to see that GM cranberry recipe.

 

[kjsgrammy]

I am also making the traditional turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce using recipe from the package, fresh green beans, sweet potatoes, creamed onions, but am adding a new recipe I found online this year:

Autumn Squash Casserole
Serves 8
1 stick (8 tablespoons) butter, melted
1 medium onion, chopped
5 pounds (about 2 or 3 medium) butternut
squash, peeled, cut into ½-inch pieces
1½ cups orange juice
½ cup maple syrup
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
Place butter, onion, squash, and orange juice in the slow cooker. Cook on Low for 6 to 10 hours, or on High for 3 to 4 hours. Add the maple syrup, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Using a potato masher, mash the ingredients until smooth; serve warm.


Would love that grand marnier cranberry recipe also.

Joan

Joan: This recipe sounds great - although I think I'm going to try it with sweet potatoes instead of squash. LOVE the idea of using the slow cooker instead of having to make room in the oven for another dish. Thanks for sharing.

 

[kjsgrammy]

Does anyone have a recipe for a broccoli/cauliflower/peanut salad that has a somewhat sweet dressing (though very light)? We get this at our local Sugar and Spice (Amish restaurant) and they won't share the recipe. I tried searching recipe websites but can't seem to locate anything like it. Feel free to PM me if you care to share your recipe. Thanks!

 

[Kay H]

Sounds like grren bean casserole is the veggie most served for tday.

 

[lprstn]

I am not staying home for Turkey day... cause I am going to DISNEY!!!!! To be served Thanksgiving Dinner @ the Swan and Dolphin with Disney Characters...

Although I am having a Holiday Party in early December...This is my menu for about 20 people

- Stuffed cornish hens (stuffed with wild rice)
- Candid meatballs
- Fried Chicken Wings
- Beef Roast
- Potatoe Salad
- Collard Greens
- Macaroni/Cheese
- steamed carrots and corn
- Chocolate Cake
- Banana Pudding (light version)
- Peach Cobbler
- Deviled Eggs
- Eggnog
- Holiday spiced cider

and other people are bringing dishes also...whew...

 

[MULTIZ321]

KJS,

Don't know if this is what you want but they're worth a gander -

Cauliflower and Broccoli Salad with Peanut-Chili Dressing

Broccoli Peanut Salad

Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad Recipe with Thai Peanut Sauce

Richard

 

[Ubil]

Homemade Butter

Something that has become a tradition at our house at Thanksgiving - homemade butter.

All it is is heavy cream, a little salt, and shake it in a jar until the butter separates. Everyone takes a turn shaking, but if we have a new guest they usually do most of it.

 

[Emily]

Something that has become a tradition at our house at Thanksgiving - homemade butter.

All it is is heavy cream, a little salt, and shake it in a jar until the butter separates. Everyone takes a turn shaking, but if we have a new guest they usually do most of it.

I let the kids make butter Christmas and Thanksgiving - have been doing this for years. I have a small jar churn but they now do it with the kitchen aid mixer.

 

[Gerie]

No green bean casserole.

Turkey
Stuffing (John's special recipe)
Cranberries from the can (all the kids will eat)
Mashed potatoes
Candied Yams (John again)
Mashed turnip
Cauliflower
Brussels Sprouts
Creamed onions

Homemade Pumpkin Pie
Homemade Apple Pie (I use the Pillsbury crust, but buy two packages and re-roll using one and a half crusts each for top and bottom)
Coconut Custard Pie
Home made whipped cream

No bread/rolls with dinner, but a good fresh bakery bread for the sandwiches afterward.

Tell about your ideal leftover Thanksgiving dinner sandwich!

 

[Darlene]

There are only 5 of us so I try not to cook large quantities, but we'll have -

Relish Tray
Deviled eggs
Turkey Breast
Gravy
Stuffing - Cornbread with sausage this year
Mashed Potatoes from golden potatoes
Homemade Orange - Cranberry relish with pecans
Steamed peas and carrots
Ambrosia
Homemade rolls
pumpkin pie
Sparkling apple juice
eggnog

 

[swift]

My family also demands the traditional dinner.

Turkey- from Willie Birds Turkey Farm
Cornbread Stuffing- I will start making the corn bread this weekend so it will all dry out. No meat but added cream corn, spices, celery and onion.
Sweet Potatoes
Mashed Potatoes
Brussels Sprouts- my kids actually love these
Sweet Carrots
Cranberry Sauce
Cucumber Salad

Pumpkin Pie
Banana Cream Pie

 

[pjrose]

Brussels Sprouts- my kids actually love these

I LOVE brussels sprouts - but only the very tiny ones, barely steamed so they're still bright, and with a bit of butter and perhaps some seasoned salt. Many years ago we grew them in our garden; my then 4-5 year old ate nothing else except those super-fresh brussels sprouts for his Thanksgiving dinner. Now at 18 he won't touch them

 

[DeniseM]

Thanksgiving is such an easy meal because our family expects - or should I say DEMANDS - the traditional menu.

Having said that, I'd be interested in knowing your "Dressed-Up Green Bean Casserole" recipe. I am always obligated to make a green bean casserole and wonder how many people actually like it.

Deb

I add a Lg. jar of diced pimento, or a diced red bell pepper, a Lg. can of water chestnuts, slivered, and some slivered almonds, and shredded cheese sprinkled on top, to the basic recipe.

 

[Cathy in Boston]

Everyone's menus sound good. My MIL is taking us to Vegas for Thanksgiving....so here's our menu....

http://www.rosemarysrestaurant.com/pdfs/thanksgivingmenu_2008.pdf

 

[ctreelmom]

Cranberry Sauce with Grand Marnier

I don't have an actual recipe, but here goes:

I put one bag of cranberries in a sauce pan with one cup (double check the cranberry bag for the amount of sugar--I'm pretty sure it's a cup--use less if you want a more tart flavor). Keep stirring so the sugar doesn't burn. Sometimes I add a splash of water to help dissolve the sugar, sometimes not. When the skin on the berries starts to burst and the sugar mixes with the juice I add the Grand Marnier--again I don't measure, just pour until it feels right --maybe an ounce or so. Stir it in well. Let the alcohol cook off then taste and add more if you want. If you want to get fancy-fancy, you can grate a little fresh orange zest into it as well. Let it cook over low heat until, well, it's done. I put it in a quart-size mason jar and chill overnight, but you can make it Thanksgiving morning. Enjoy!