I need menu suggestions for Thanksgiving.

[punkin]

I will have 9 people definitely and possibly 2 more. Two of the ones definitely coming are vegetarian (not vegan). I just bought a Turkey (13 lb). Here's my idea so far (any suggestions, additions, subtractions are welcome):

Turkey (cornbread stuffing in the bird with chicken broth)
stuffing outside the bird w/ vegetable broth
devilled eggs (DD18 requested)
string bean casserole (BIL's girlfriend requested)
homemade pumpkin pie (and a whole bunch of store bought)

I need more ideas for appetizers and side dishes. Help.

 

[madcam]

How about one or any of these:

pecan crusted sweet potato casserole
garlic or boursin cheese mashed potatos
roasted basalmic veggies (asparagus, julienned sweet potatos, brussel sprouts etc.)
roasted corn on the cob
butternut squash (saute'd, baked or roasted)

 

[madcam]

For apps:

baked brie topped with brown sugar and pecans wrapped in puff pastry (very easy and AMAZING)

spinach artichoke dip

hot chicken enchilada dip

spicy crawfish dip

fresh fruit with french cream

loaded baked potato dip



For dessert:

Pecan Pie

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Ok....this list is gonna get long. How about ANY desserts!! They are ALL good!!!

 

[punkin]

oooohh sounds nice.

OK, I think roasted veggies with balsamic, pecan crusted sweet potato, and pecan pie.

My family is not big on dips, so that's out. I need some side dish with protein for the vegetarians. Maybe a 3 bean salad.

 

[madcam]

The pecan crusted sweet potatos are delish! My kids gobble that up. Most of the recipes I have found call for about a cup of sugar to be mixed in (and then more brown sugar for the topping). I find that this is too sweet for my family so I always do half a cup or less depending on how much I am making...I start with less and add more until it is the desired sweetness. So just make sure that you are aware of how much sugar you are using so it doesn't end up too sweet for your family. Also, roasting real sweet potatos in the oven makes all the difference to me for this dish. i won't touch the canned kind but I did use the Orida Steam and Mash once and while it was good, the real thing is better!!

 

[barkley]

it might sound odd with the existing menu, but the one item our vegetarian family members (lots of in-laws) always request and appreciate at our holiday get together are dh's bbq baked beans. they also like a bbq "meatball" that sil makes from "crumbles" (soy product that looks/tastes like browned ground beef).

it provides them with a protean that they view as their entree in the meal.


if you can find a copy of one of the "apple a day" vegetarian cookbooks they list all kinds of vegetarian holiday menu items.

 

[punkin]

I made Tofurkey one year and the vegetarians wouldn't eat it.

Oh, how about succotash? It's vegetarian and high in protein and very Thanksgivingy.

 

[barkley]

just a reminder-if you want to cook the vegetarians any of your tried and true recipies that normaly call for bacon, just substitute "bacos". they taste the same in recipies and are totaly vegetarian (we use them in dh's baked beans for the in-laws).

 

[Anna114]

Here's what I tend to do when I need suggestions.... www.allrecipes.com You can look up foods by a main ingredient. What I really like is people rate the recipes and give suggestions to change the recipe. The site has never let me down.

 

[lynxstch]

and your vegetarians will love it!
You won't need to save space in the oven..cause this one is made in the microwave!

Swiss Scalloped Corn

3 slices bacon, cooked, cooled, and crumbled
2 (16 oz) cans whole kernel corn (drained)
1C shredded swiss cheese
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/8 tsp pepper
1 1/2 tab. flour
1 egg
1 (5 1/2 oz) can evaporated milk
1/4 c dry bread crumbs (can use either plain or flavored)
1 tab. melted butter
dash paprika

In bowl..beat egg and evap. milk together
In separate bowl..mix together corn, cheese, onion powder, pepper and flour
Add the egg/milk mixture to it and mix well.
Place in (microwavable) casserole. Top with bread crumbs. Sprinkle with bacon and paprika, Top with melted butter
Cook 10-1 minutes on MED high...Let stand 5 Minutes

you can halve the recipe if there are only a few people..but around here they like the leftovers even better!
Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[krcit]

I make a really great clam dip but I just saw you don't like dips. It tastes like a baked clam. let me know if you want the recipe anyway.

 

[MulanUSAF]

Appetizers:
-Cheese Puffs (get frozen puff pastry sheets, cut into squares, fold into little triangles with your favorite cheese inside, brush with beaten egg, bake and serve)
-Wonton Yummies (spray wonton wraps with Pam, place in muffin pan and bake until crispy; then add your favorite toppings like pimento spread, spinach artichoke dip or seafood salad

Sides:
Squash casserole
Sweet potato oven fries
Edamame (boiled salted soybeans in pods)
Fried apples and onions
Corn souffle
Creamed spinach

Dessert:
Melted chocolate fondue with fruit and cookies
Carrot spice cake

 

[pumba]

My son in law is a vegetarian..so each Thanksgiving, I do the traditional turkey with stuffing inside the cavity......I put some of my stuffing in aluminum foil that was sprayed with pam....and I put it on top of the bird in the roasting pan......that way its not getting "involved" with the bird..
I make a gravy with no meat by products....so I have veggie broth in a can, and I thicken it with either flour or cornstarch..add poultry seasoning for flavor and some Gravy Master for color and a wee bit more taste........he always says it is great....so I believe him..
I also either do a baked potato for him with salsa on top of it or long grain wild rice ...
He will be having a "roast" that is tofu made......we are all carnivores in my family but I want him to have a meal too..
Veggies are no problem.....I always do four or five different types of veggies so that we all have a choice and he has them all....
Brocolli, carrots, corn, squash, and sometimes I do a big tossed salad......

Dessert for him is an apple pie......he goes away full like the rest of us piggies.......

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU

Forgot to add our vegetarian is also lactose intolerant so no milk or cheeses for him either....

 

[punkin]

I am salivating over all the yummy things posted. I think I will try a few of them. I would like the clam dip recipe. I like dips. DH's family is a bit germaphobic so they prefer no dips. If I don't make it this thanksgiving, I could try it another time.

 

[hambirg]

We were vegetarians for years. Some of the things that we always liked

a veggie tray with hummus
vegetarian stuffing (which it looks like you already thought of )

If they eat eggs quiche is always nice. Allrecipes has a really good spinach and mushroom one.

A big green salad

Spinach, creamed or some kind of casserole

If you really want to offer a turkey substitute, I would just ask the veggies to bring their own. There are many different kinds and people have their favorites.

You might want to offer some kind of grain pilaf dish. Rice and lentils, etc.

One more thing. . .please think about having a small amount of veggie gravy. They sell little powder packet kinds or jars. I used to make mine with Imagine No-chicken Broth.

Don't feel like you have to do a lot. My SIL simply used to offer a big veggie try as an app. And then made larger portions of the veggies as well as a big green salad.

 

[TheBigBadWolf]

My family's favorite holiday side dish:

Auburn Plantation Sweet Potato Casserole

3 cups sweet potatoes, mashed
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup milk

Topping:
1/3 cup melted butter
1 cup light brown sugar
1/3 cup flour
1 cup chopped pecans

Bake sweet potatoes, and mash. Mix sugar, butter, eggs, vanilla and mil, with sweet potatoes. Put in 9 X 13 baking dish. For topping: Mix ingredients together and sprinkle on top of potato mixture. Bake at 350* for 25 minutes. Serves 10-12.

 

[punkin]

One more thing. . .please think about having a small amount of veggie gravy. They sell little powder packet kinds or jars. I used to make mine with Imagine No-chicken Broth.

I didn't think of this. Where is it in the store? Next to the regular gravy products?

 

[hambirg]

I didn't think of this. Where is it in the store? Next to the regular gravy products?

You can check there. I shop at Fred Meyer's which has a big health food section and that's where it is. It will either be on the regular aisle or in the health food/special organics section.

One more thing. . I said have a little bit. . .rethinking that. . make sure you make enough. . lol.

 

[punkin]

You can check there. I shop at Fred Meyer's which has a big health food section and that's where it is. It will either be on the regular aisle or in the health food/special organics section.

One more thing. . I said have a little bit. . .rethinking that. . make sure you make enough. . lol.

Thanks.

 

[krcit]

Clam dip.


I can't find my exact recipe but I remember it.
1/2 stick melted butter
1 can of minced clams

1/2 of small onion-finely chopped

1/4 cup parmesan cheese(I use Locatelli pecorino romano)

1 tsp garlic powder-maybe a bit less

1 tsp oregano

1 sleeve of Ritz crackers crushed

Mix everything together including the juice from clams. I put it in a ramikin and bake for about 40 minutes..until it is brown and bubbly. I squeeze lemon juice over it and serve with Ritz carckers and lemon wedges. I put a knife in the dip so there is no 'double dipping'