OT: Thanksgiving Dinner

[marshallandcartersmo]

When I cook Thanksgiving dinner, it's pretty basic. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, cranberry sauce (everyone likes the gel stuff in the can, hehe), spaghetti squash, dinner rolls, salad. My grandma usually makes sweet potatoes with marshmallows on top. For dessert, we have cheesecake, pudding cake, pumpkin pie, apple pie (my other grandma usually makes it with diet sugar, bleh).

I went down south last year for thanksgiving at a friends place and they had a lot of different stuff I had never seen at thanksgiving. Macaroni & Cheese, green bean cassarole, corn bread, ham, they had stuffing, but it was weird, I don't know what it was made out of, maybe it was more like filling (mashed potatoes with the stuffing mixed in).

This year it is just DH and I and he has requested meatloaf ("the biggest one I can make") in the crockpot. So we are having meatloaf, mashed potatoes, corn, bread, salad. Our dessert will be a BJ's cheesecake and pumpkin pie (I don't know how to bake pies).

Please post how to make a meatloaf in the crockpot!!!

 

[earthfaries]

Does anyone know how to cook a whole duck? I have to make one but don't want to mess it up at $4.00 a pound at our local health food store
TIA

 

[dbarker]

If I am having a crowd over:

Turkey (bake the day before and reheat in the oven...saves time and stress)
Ham (bake the day before and reheat in the oven...saves time and stress)
Cornbread Dressing (mix the day before...bake T-day)
Sweet Potato Casserole (do everything except bake the day before...bake T-day)
Mashed Potatoes
Corn
Green Bean Casserole
Fruit Salad (a little like ambrosia, but w/ more kinds of fruit)
Yeast rolls (frozen...thaw the day before in fridge...let rise in a warm spot)
Pumpkin pie (made the day before)
Pecan pie (made the day before)
Apple pie (made the day before)
Banana Pudding

 

[2TxAgs]

The pies are a big deal with my DHs family. We make 7-8 pumpkin pies over the couple days before T'giving - we have 'em for breakfast, brunch, dinner - any time we can. With lots of Cool Whip of course! My SIL makes a yummy sour cream apple pie.

We'll probably have 15 at our tables...all the usuals mentioned previously, with a stuffing recipe handed down from my hubbies grandfather. I don't care for it (too much sage), but I'm in DEEP TROUBLE if I suggest an alternative! My DH makes his famous cheesecake as well as a jello dessert that is to die for (jello, nuts, cream cheese, pineapple....) Someone brings Grannie's homemade rolls - dozens of them, to eat with dinner and then with leftover turkey for breakfast, lunch, etc. with the extra pumpkin pies!

I guess it's time to start stocking up so the grocery bill gets spread out over a few weeks!

Happy Holidays to everyone...

TxAg

 

[jennifer293]

OP here:

Thanks everyone for all the great suggestions!! I will go with some of the normal fixin's and then get DH's mamaw to make the dressing (She makes the best). I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and don't get so full you make yourself sick because we have BLACK FRIDAY the next morning!!! I CANNOT WAIT!!!

 

[Lisa_M]

Please post how to make a meatloaf in the crockpot!!!

1.5lb ground beef (I typically use 90% lean)
¼ cup chopped onions (I chop them small)
1 tsp. salt
¼ tsp. pepper
A little garlic powder
1 ½ -2 cups of Italian seasoned bread crumbs
1 egg
¼ cup of milk

~First, beat the egg and milk together in a bowl. In another bowl put the beef, everything else and dump the egg and milk over it. Mix it together really well and shape into a loaf that is at least an inch smaller than the inside of your crockpot.
~Then I chop up about 6-8 potatoes in cubes, toss them in the bottom of the crockpot, so they are cover the bottom, Toss some chopped onions over it. I usually add a little salt and pepper then. Then I put some baby carrots on top of the potatoes.
~ Put the loaf on top of the potatoes and carrots and then spread some ketchup on top of the meatloaf.
~Cover. Cook on high for 1 hour. Reduce heat to Low and cook 7-8 hours. Don’t lift the lid, just let it cook.

This is the size I make for just the two of us in my small crockpot. I think it’s a 4 qt. Our thanksgiving meatloaf will be made in my 6.5qt crock pot. With meatloaf, it's important it doesn't touch the sides, bottom or top of the crockpot. Then it burns a little and gets dried out.

DH says this is the best thing I make and said, "You can cook it for me every day for the rest of my life and I would never get sick of it." My guy likes his meatloaf... lol.

 

[Passions71203]

We are having 22 people this year at our house
Here is our menu

Turkey
Rolls
Cranberry Sauce/Stuff
Sweet Pot.
Devel. Eggs
Mashed Pot
Green Bean Cass.
Corn
Stuffing
Pumpkin Pies- 2
Taffy Apple Pie
---------------
Veggies and Dip
Assor. Sweet Breads
Mixed Nuts
And Candy

 

[Lisa_M]

We are having 22 people this year at our house
Here is our menu

Turkey
Rolls
Cranberry Sauce/Stuff
Sweet Pot.
Devel. Eggs
Mashed Pot
Green Bean Cass.
Corn
Stuffing
Pumpkin Pies- 2
Taffy Apple Pie
---------------
Veggies and Dip
Assor. Sweet Breads
Mixed Nuts
And Candy

Can you tell me how to make deviled eggs and also Taffy Apple Pie? I've never heard of it before.

ETA: I like your signature. I married a "nut" from OSU

 

[cruizie]

Kycha - I use to actually make them (recipe below) but now I just buy them. I lost my access to fresh peaches so buying them was easier.

Spiced Peaches
2 pounds firm ripe peaches
11 ounces white sugar
3 tablespoons and 1/2 teaspoon distilled white
vinegar 1/3 cup and 1 tablespoon water
2-1/2 whole cloves
1 teaspoon crushed cinnamon stick

1. Peel peaches & set aside. In a large pot over medium high heat, boil sugar, vinegar and water until the syrup is moderately thick.
2. Add cloves, cinnamon and peaches. Bring to boil stirring occasionally until the peaches can be pierced to the pit with a fork.
3. Fill sterilized canning jars with peaches. Continue boiling syrup until heavy and add to peaches to cover.
4. In a large stock pot, pour water half way to top with boiling water. Using a holder, carefully lower jars into pot. Leave a 2-inch space between jars. Add more boiling water to cover them, about 2 inches above the tops. Bring to a boil and cover, processing for 35 minutes. Remove jars from pot. Put jars on a wood or cloth surface, several inches apart and allow to cool. Jars will be sealed

 

[Passions71203]

Can you tell me how to make deviled eggs and also Taffy Apple Pie? I've never heard of it before.

ETA: I like your signature. I married a "nut" from OSU

The Taffy Apple Pie is not homemade (Its from Market Day, lets hope it tastes good!) And the eggs - (I don't really have the mesurements of anything, I just eye ball it HTH)
eggs
paprika
Mayo
Yellow Mustard
Place eggs in a pot of salted water. Bring the water to a boil, and let eggs cook in boiling water until they are hard boiled, approximately 10 to 15 minutes. Drain eggs, and let cool.
Cut eggs in half, lengthwise. Remove the egg yolks and mash them together in a small mixing bowl. Mix in the paprika, mayonnaise, and mustard. Spoon mixture into the egg shells, cool and serve.

PS. We have a lot of OSU Nuts in this family!

 

[Maggimus]

You all have my stomach making all kinds of noises!

We will have 11 or 12

Turkey (Probably Deep Fried)
Ham
Mashed Potatoes
Broccoli Casserole
Sweet Potato Casserole
Peas
Macaroni & Cheese (for the kids)
Baked Beans
Gravy
Deviled Eggs
Cranberry Sauce (jellied)
Sister Shubert Rolls

Pumpkin Pie
Pecan Pie
Pumpkin/Sweet Potato Roll

We always have a ton of leftovers so everyone takes a bunch home.


MaggieW:
(by the way- im a Maggie and was a W before I got married- lol) how do you make your butter into a turkey? Do you have something special you use? Id love to do that!

 

[cruizie]

sorry wrong board

 

[mousefanmichelle]

I am going to be making my first ever t-day dinner for my family of 5. I am so intimidated by it - I have never made any kind of bird other than boneless skinless chix breasts!!! I think we are going to deep fry the turkey (cross my fingers I don't start myself on fire!) I don't know anything about stuffing either - does anyone have a good receipe out there they would want to share? My mom is gone and I don't have her as my back-up person if you know what I mean.

The rest of my meal will look like this:
Potatoes
Sweet potatoes with brown sugar sauce
Green beans in garlic and olive oil
Broccoli
dinner rolls
tossed salad
apple crumb pie
pumpkin pie
cranberry sauce (in the can with ridges and all!!)

Have a happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Michelle

 

[OKWAnneMarie]

My husband and I have hosted every major (and most minor) holidays for over 20 years. Thanksgiving is my favorite. We usually have anywhere from 10 - 18 people.

Our menu:

Appetizer:

Italian Antipasta platter (lettuce, tomato, roasted peppers, stuffed peppers, olives, artichoke hearts, provelone, prosuitti, reggianno parmeggiano, salami, capicola, fresh mozzerella, etc.) Served with Italian bread and olive oil & vinegar.

Entree:

Turkey (Murray's organic, last year was 24 lbs.) I cook it upside down for the first 3 hours and then we flip it. It's not easy, but my hubby and I have it down pat. Then we cook it for another 2-3 hours. We put lemons & parsley inside the turkey. We put butter & sage underneath the skin of the breast. We cook the stuffing separately.

Stuffing (my grandmother's recipe, old bread, milk, eggs, sauteed celery & onion, cooked Italian sausage, hot suppasata or cappicola, cooked bacon, garlic, fresh nutmeg, parsley & grated cheese). My husband also makes a
2nd stuffing, a different one every year.

Sweet potatos with butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and marshmallows.

Brussel sprouts (cut in half and roasted in the oven with garlic and olive oil). I can't make enough of these, everyone loves them.

String beans with sauteed onions and tomatos

Cranberry sauce (not canned, I make this fresh. I used to buy the canned also, but no one ate it).

Stuffed mushrooms and marinated mushroom stems. I stuff the mushrooms with a mixture of breadcrumbs, olive oil, garlic, parsley, etc. I take the stems and boil them until they are tender, then I marinate them in a mixture of olive oil, fresh lemon juice, white vinegar, garlic, salt & pepper.

Also, whatever fresh veggie that lookes good.

Dessert:

A big bowl of fresh fruit.

Assorted nuts and different types of chocolates.

We ALWAYS have a pumpkin pie with whipped cream.

Other desserts may include pecan pie, Italian pastries, Italian cookies, Italian cheesecake, fruit tarts, tiramisu, etc.

 

[OKWAnneMarie]

I am going to be making my first ever t-day dinner for my family of 5. I am so intimidated by it - I have never made any kind of bird other than boneless skinless chix breasts!!! I think we are going to deep fry the turkey (cross my fingers I don't start myself on fire!) I don't know anything about stuffing either - does anyone have a good receipe out there they would want to share? My mom is gone and I don't have her as my back-up person if you know what I mean.

The rest of my meal will look like this:
Potatoes
Sweet potatoes with brown sugar sauce
Green beans in garlic and olive oil
Broccoli
dinner rolls
tossed salad
apple crumb pie
pumpkin pie
cranberry sauce (in the can with ridges and all!!)

Have a happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Michelle

Please be careful frying. It's not that hard to cook one in the oven.

Here's my old Italian Grandma Pia's stuffing recipe:

Fill a very large bowl with old, stale bread, cut into cubes.

Add plenty of minced garlic, parsley, nutmeg, pepper and grated cheese.

Add sauteed celery (about 5 stalks) and one large sauteed onion.

Cut up 6 to 8 cooked pieces of Italian sausage and add it.

Cut up about 4 or 5 slices of salami, cappicola OR suppasata, add it.

Add about 6 slices of bacon (cut up).

Add 1 to 2 quarts of heavy whipping cream and 3 eggs.

Mix together gently and put in buttered dish/tray. Put some butter on top and cook at 350 degrees until brown and bubbly (about one hour).

It doesn't sound good, but it is delicious.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

 

[0hmyheck]

All I can say is Good Luck, that is a lot of people

 

[Maggimus]

A lot of people prefer the taste of a deep fried turkey over one that is onion cooked.

For those of you who do your's in the oven (we do them both ways-- just depends on what we are in the mood for).. what do you inject yours with? ANy secret recipe?

We inject with apple butter and italian dressing. Sounds weird-- but the flavors play off of one another and it is SO good!

 

[OKWAnneMarie]

A lot of people prefer the taste of a deep fried turkey over one that is onion cooked.

For those of you who do your's in the oven (we do them both ways-- just depends on what we are in the mood for).. what do you inject yours with? ANy secret recipe?

We inject with apple butter and italian dressing. Sounds weird-- but the flavors play off of one another and it is SO good!

I always wanted to taste a fried turkey. It looks YUMMY! But, I would never attempt it myself. I always hear of someone getting burned because they didn't do it properly.

I don't inject my turkey, I stuff it with cut up lemons and parsley and I put butter and sage underneath the skin of the breast. Also, cooking it upside down for a while makes the breast very juicy and tasty. The apple butter and Italian dressing sounds good to me!

 

[mousefanmichelle]

Please be careful frying. It's not that hard to cook one in the oven.

Here's my old Italian Grandma Pia's stuffing recipe:

Fill a very large bowl with old, stale bread, cut into cubes.

Add plenty of minced garlic, parsley, nutmeg, pepper and grated cheese.

Add sauteed celery (about 5 stalks) and one large sauteed onion.

Cut up 6 to 8 cooked pieces of Italian sausage and add it.

Cut up about 4 or 5 slices of salami, cappicola OR suppasata, add it.

Add about 6 slices of bacon (cut up).

Add 1 to 2 quarts of heavy whipping cream and 3 eggs.

Mix together gently and put in buttered dish/tray. Put some butter on top and cook at 350 degrees until brown and bubbly (about one hour).

It doesn't sound good, but it is delicious.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Thanks for the receipe - it sounds wonderful to me!!

I don't know about the frying but I've gotten some good ideas as far as making sure the oil doesn't over flow to start a fire. I really don't have a choice on how to cook the bird cuz the oven in our cabin is too small to put a roaster in - so fryer it is!

 

[WendyisDarling]

Question for all of you who cook for a big crowd for Thanksgiving...what do you do for dinnerware?

I've cooked Thanksgiving dinner for my family of 4 several times, but this year everyone is coming to my house. Total number of people should be 12. I will have plenty of help around the kitchen (probably too much). Anyway, I'm trying to figure out what to do about dinnerware. I have nice china, but only 8 place settings (same goes for the good silver). My everyday dishes are Fiestaware (which I love), but my mix and match brightly colored dishes won't cut it for this crowd. DH has suggested I just get more china (I'm not thrilled about spending the extra money). I also don't really want to use the china because it can't go in the dishwasher. (I'm not one of those who never uses the good china because I'm saving it, I don't use it because I don't want to handwash it. )

So, those of you with large guest lists what do you do? Do you have a lot of china? I was thinking of going to Pier One or Pottery Barn and buying a dozen plain white dinner plates and dessert plates. I could put those in the dishwasher!