HELP! Thanksgiving side dish!

[Steamboat Marti]

We're new to our area and some friends have invited us over for Thanksgiving dinner (we're thrilled). When we've gone there before, she always tells us not to bring anything. (she hasn't even tasted my cooking, so she can't hate it yet! ). We do bring a bottle of wine, or something, but this is Thanksgiving. I'd like to bring a couple of side dishes for them to try something new. Can any of you great DISers help me out?? And be explicit in the directions, I'm really anal and want to do a great job!!

 

[Zandy595]

My mom made Paula Deen's Tomato Pie last year and it was a big hit.

One bit of advice, try out any new recipe before you take it to Thankgiving dinner.

 

[piratesmate]

This is always a hit:

Corn Pudding

2 c grated corn
2 eggs
1 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1 Tbl sugar
2 Tbl butter
1 Tbl flour
1 c milk

The original says "fresh corn preferred" but I always use frozen & use the blender to "grate". I only grate until it is sort of like creamed corn - not totally mush. It screws up the baking time if you don't defrost the corn first though. (I know, I've tried it!) Doubling the recipe also extends the baking time - if you use one dish.

Grate corn & add salt, sugar, pepper, flour & melted butter. Add beaten eggs & milk. Pour into a greased baking dish & bake at 350 for 35 minutes. Serves 6.

It is done when the center is "set" - like any custard - & a knife comes out clean.

- - - - - - - - - -
We also really like this as a side:

Broccoli Cranberry Salad

4 c broccoli, chopped small (I use mainly the tops)
¼ c diced celery
8 oz Craisins ® (original recipe called for raisins, but Craisins are better)
¼ c shelled sunflower seeds
8 slices bacon

Dressing:
1 c mayonnaise
¼ c sugar
¼ c vinegar

In a large bowl, combine broccoli, craisins/raisins, sunflower seeds, celery & bacon. Pour dressing over and toss. Keep refrigerated

- - - - - - - - - - -
This is another good side. It's served cold.

Wild Rice and Apricot Salad

6 oz wild rice
4 oz dried apricots, chopped
2 oz almonds, sliced or slivered
6 oz yogurt, plain or vanilla
3 oz raisins or Craisins ®
2 Tbl parsley

Make rice according to directions, using no seasonings or butter. Cool slightly & toss with remaining ingredients. Chill & serve cold.

 

[Queenie]

Hijacking! Can anyone tell me exactly what constitutes a "proper" Thanksgiving dinner? From many episodes of Friends I'm led to believe that turkey, cranberrys and yams are traditional, is there anything else? What is the normal dessert - pumpkin pie?

 

[Zandy595]

Hijacking! Can anyone tell me exactly what constitutes a "proper" Thanksgiving dinner? From many episodes of Friends I'm led to believe that turkey, cranberrys and yams are traditional, is there anything else? What is the normal dessert - pumpkin pie?

I would say a typical Thanksgiving dinner would have:
Turkey
Stuffing
Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
Cranberry Sauce
Vegetable, like Candied Yams, Squash, and/or Green Bean Casserole
Pumpkin Pie

Of course everyone's family has their favorites. We always have Scalloped Oysters and several different kinds of pie (I hate pumpkin) along with all of the above.

 

[piratesmate]

I never heard of having mashed potatoes with the meal until I met DH. Their entire meal was meat, starch & sweets! LOL

My family has Pennsylvania Dutch origins & for us traditional is:
turkey & giblet gravey
filling/stuffing/dressing/whatever you call it LOL
cranberries
candied yams
green bean casserole
corn pudding
scalloped oysters
dinner rolls
relish tray (carrots, celery, radishes, gherkins & olives)

And for dessert it was always pumpkin pie & mincemeat pie. Mince is by far my favorite!

 

[ksjayhawks]

Not to be a downer, but . . she may have her menu planned out already. Instead of just bringing something, why not approach her again and tell her that you really want to bring a side and what would she like that to be. If she says you don't need to bring anything, bring some wine or great candy and enjoy!

 

[Steamboat Marti]

Not to be a downer, but . . she may have her menu planned out already. Instead of just bringing something, why not approach her again and tell her that you really want to bring a side and what would she like that to be. If she says you don't need to bring anything, bring some wine or great candy and enjoy!

I hadn't thought of that -- these people are friends enough of us that I can ask her and I'll really get the truth. Not the typical "don't bring anything" and then when you get there "I can't believe they didn't bring anything!!!"

I know we'll bring wine, maybe flowers too. It seems like you never have enough flowers!

 

[goofymom/pop]

maybe she would love it if you offered to do the desserts. Like pumpkin roll, or pumpkin pie. And maybe some type of new fall type coffee to go with it.

I am not that creative when it comes to Thanksgiving side dishes we always have

Turkey
Mashed Potatoes w/gravy
stuffing with sausage (my kids can't get enough)
cranberry sauce
brocoli with cheese sauce or green bean casserole
brown and serve rolls
candied Yams (hubbies fav...yuck!)
and of course I love love love my Moms pumpkin pie...oh boy!

 

[MazdaUK]

If you take flowers can I suggest you get a bunch that comes in a container (maybe choose a container and ask your florist to fill it) or else take a plant of some sort, so your hostess is not struggling to arrange flowers as well as dish up dinner.

I agree very nice candy would be a good option, or some really good cookies (maybe you could bake some) which people could eat with coffe but which could equally be enjoyed by your hosts later or the next day.

 

[Goingforbroke]

This is a no-fail recipe that I make every Thanksgiving. Everyone loves it and it is sooo easy to make. You can't go wrong with this one!
Corn State Broccoli Bake

1 package (8oz.) Chicken in a Biskit crackers, crushed
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 package (10oz.) frozen chopped broccoli, thawed
1 can (15 1/4 oz.) whole kernel corn, drained
1 can (14 3/4 oz.) cream-style corn

Combine cracker crumbs and butter; reserve 1/2 cup for topping. In a bowl, combine broccoli, both cans of corn and remaining crumbs. Transfer to a greased 2 qt. baking dish. Sprinkle with reserved crumbs. Bake, uncovered at 375 for 25 - 30 minutes or until lightly browned. Yield: 6-8 servings.

I usually double this recipe for a large crowd.
Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[my3princes]

This is not a traditional Thanksgiving Dessert, but my extended family always ask me to make it for Thanksgiving and every other occasion come to think of it and I have never once had any left. It is a hot fudge sundae cake. I usually make 2 at a time. I bake one box of brownie mix split between two large springform pans. Once cool I pu a layer of vanilla ice cream on each brownie "crust". I buy the 1/2 box type and open them up fully, use a knife and slice it into 1/2 - 3/4 inch slices. I then put a layer of hot fudge to completely cover the ice cream. I also get a can of rasberry pie filling and split the can between the 2 cakes. After the rasberry pie filling which is optional I freeze the cakes. After a few hours I pull them back out and add another layer of vanilla ice cream, another layer of hot fudge and top them with homemade whipped cream. I cover them with seran wrap and freeze them. I usually make them a day before I need them that way they are really frozen, but not frost burnt. When I serve them I take them out for about 5 minutes then pop open the springform pan and slice just like a cake. They are delicious.

Ingredients:
2 1/2 gallon containers of vanilla ice cream
1 can rasberry pie filling
2 jars Hershey's hot fudge topping
1 box brownie mix
1 pint heavy whipping cream

Very easy and sooooo delicious

Deb

 

[Glynis]

My family always bring a tray of olives, pickles, carrot sticks, celery, radishes, etc. along with a dip as an appetizer when we are asked. It seems to go over really well, especially with the little ones who love to put olives on their fingers.

 

[becky7953]

My vote is for a dessert yum yum!

 

[kelleigh1]

I agree with ksjayhawks.

Every year, I make Thanksgiving dinner. The guest list is just my parents and my IL's. They always ask if they can bring anything and my answer is always No. And in this case No means No!

I'm sure some people will think this is rude and/or selfish...but I want to be able to make dinner...from start to finish. This is my one chance each year to really cook and I don't want anyone bringing anything. It just bothers me. The last two years, my father has brought pumpkin pie. Store bought. I bothers me because I make just about everything from scratch and a store bought pie almost signifies to me that he doesn't trust my cooking.

It would and does upset me when someone brings something after I ask them not to. While I wouldn't mention it to the guest, inside I'd be hurt. Silly, I know, but I just want to be the chef that day. And you know what they say...too many cooks spoil the pot.

 

[Zandy595]

I'm just the opposite. I'll take all the help I can get. I really enjoy cooking and my family likes everything I make, but for a huge meal like Thanksgiving I welcome the help. I guess it's the way I've been brought up too. We usually rotate holiday dinners so everyone gets a chance to do the turkey, ham or whatever meat they decide to make. The person who has it at their house only does the meat, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy. The rest of the family brings everything else.

 

[JoenAdamnErinnSam]

For me it is not so much that I have to do everything myself, but I've thrown so many parties/events/holidays that I trusted someone TO bring something, and they don't show up when its needed (show up 2 minutes before dinner is on the table) to them bringing a store bought something that was inedible..like the pumpkin pie. I know-I'm a control freak when it comes to this stuff-but everybody leaves full and happy my way. This year I have to work on Thanksgiving..so I suggested going out this year-my boys were devastated at first til I asked if THEY wanted to cook, cause I cannot trust this to my Mom and sister..They agreed..we are going out.