So what's on the menu for Thanksgiving? Looking for something new or different to add to the menu.

[HM]

jello?
Roasted root vegetables?
broccoli casserole?

 

[Snowflakey]

My day looks like this:

To Start:

cheese/pepperoni/crackers
Spinach dip in a bread bowl
chips and pretzels to dip
Fruit platter

For Dinner:

Turkey & gravy
Homemade sausage stuffing
Mashed potatoes
Sweet potato casserole - so darn good!
Homemade cranberry sauce - love it!
Fresh green beans
Macaroni & Cheese
Jello mold
pickles & olives
Homemade Rolls
Assorted sweet breads - pumpkin, cranberry, banana

Desserts:

Apple Pie
Pecan Pie
Pumpkin Pie
Peanut Butter Pie
Coconut Poke Cake

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

 

[Moomduck1]

My family loves this sweet potato banana casserole:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/...-potatoes-and-bananas-with-honey-recipe2.html

If my vegetarian daughter is coming, I do a pumpkin lasagna with spinach that's really good.

 

[tiggerluver12]

Before you fry that bird, inject it with a marinade. Here in Texas they have them where the turkeys are sold. We use the butter/garlic marinade - it comes with a huge syringe. Makes the bird so much more flavorful.

Also, don't use acorn squash - it has 0 flavor. Us a butternut squash instead. I am bringing as a side dish this year of an assortment of root vegetables that I will roast in the oven: cut up butternut squash, purple potatoes, beets and turnips. You can grill them too - just drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper and go low and slow until they are tender.

 

[dcfromva]

S

Apple pie - or something close to apple pie, maybe a tart or something
*** Looking for something different.

I know this looks like a lot for just 6 people, but I cook so that there are some leftovers, not a lot. And I send stuff home.

My family loves Apple Pie Bites. I use a recipe from Beth Moncel's Budget Bytes cookbook:
Here is a link to the recipe
https://books.google.com/books?id=7bgZbJEh3gYC&pg=PT248&lpg=PT248&dq=beth+moncel+apple+pie+bites&source=bl&ots=JvuPoXNoML&sig=7k59HwfTa7UbTeCMrkRo_hqmorI&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CCAQ6AEwAGoVChMI0d-MtLHyyAIVA3E-Ch3PCwxB#v=onepage&q=beth moncel apple pie bites&f=false

They go really fast! I use the Allready Pie Crusts from the dairy case instead of making my own crust --so they are really easy to make.

 

[LovesTimone]

The Pioneer Woman's Butternut Squash Macaroni and Cheese would make a great side.

- sounds interesting, but with a picky family I might forget to tell them about the squash.


I've played a lot with making my baked brie over the last few years. My current method is

1. 2 rolls of seamless crescent dough pressed together to form one big sheet,
2. Spread a small jar of raspberry jam over that.
3. Unwrap wedge of brie, plop into center of dough.
4. Fold edges of dough so all of brie is fully covered.
5. Flip over so edges are on bottom and place on greased cookie sheet.
6. Get a half of stick of butter so it's almost melted.
7. Spread over brie packet.
8. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes give or take.
9. Let sit about 10 minutes before serving

Looks like a lot more steps when it's typed out. [/QUOTE]

Great suggestion, this would really spruce up my cheese and cracker platter.

I always bring the appetizers, so below are my suggestions -

-Veggie Tray
-Sausage balls (for some reason these have become somewhat of a Thanksgiving tradition)
Are the sausage balls like meat balls just made with sausage? do you make a dip or make a sauce for them?

 

[LovesTimone]

Op here,

No sweet potato casserole for my family, they just really don't go for it. Also no jello ring or mold it, they will not eat it and it will go to waste.

I was thinking for a salad maybe a tomato and mozzarella salad, it really doesn't scream thanksgiving, but it's tasty and lighter options to mix in with all the heavy food. What do you think?

 

[LovesTimone]

I make "Stuffin' Muffins" every year. Basically, it is stuffing cooked in muffin tins (no paper cups, just oil the tins). They are individual servings and you get the perfect amount of crispiness along the outside and not that mushy middle that no one really likes.

-
I never thought about doing this... what a wonderful idea and it would be something different for sure.

My family loves Apple Pie Bites. I use a recipe from Beth Moncel's Budget Bytes cookbook:
Here is a link to the recipe
https://books.google.com/books?id=7bgZbJEh3gYC&pg=PT248&lpg=PT248&dq=beth+moncel+apple+pie+bites&source=bl&ots=JvuPoXNoML&sig=7k59HwfTa7UbTeCMrkRo_hqmorI&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CCAQ6AEwAGoVChMI0d-MtLHyyAIVA3E-Ch3PCwxB#v=onepage&q=beth moncel apple pie bites&f=false

They go really fast! I use the Allready Pie Crusts from the dairy case instead of making my own crust --so they are really easy to make.

- Thanks for the link, looks easy and yummy.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Op here,

No sweet potato casserole for my family, they just really don't go for it. Also no jello ring or mold it, they will not eat it and it will go to waste.

I was thinking for a salad maybe a tomato and mozzarella salad, it really doesn't scream thanksgiving, but it's tasty and lighter options to mix in with all the heavy food. What do you think?

I'd lean against tomato/mozza if you're not in a warm enough area (if tomatoes have fallen out of season, they just won't be as good). To keep it lighter with a salad, I'd go with a spinach fruit salad - I'd do something like this one, but I might cheat and use a store-bought vinaigrette and just top with pecans if I didn't have time...http://aggieskitchen.com/2013/10/11/autumn-spinach-salad-with-pecan-vinaigrette/

In fact, this may be my 1 veg this year...not too hard if I've pre-roasted and candied the pecans (maybe with maple syrup called for in the dressing) and bought an apple-cider vinaigrette off the shelf!

 

[LovesTimone]

I'd lean against tomato/mozza if you're not in a warm enough area (if tomatoes have fallen out of season, they just won't be as good). To keep it lighter with a salad, I'd go with a spinach fruit salad - I'd do something like this one, but I might cheat and use a store-bought vinaigrette and just top with pecans if I didn't have time...http://aggieskitchen.com/2013/10/11/autumn-spinach-salad-with-pecan-vinaigrette/

In fact, this may be my 1 veg this year...not too hard if I've pre-roasted and candied the pecans (maybe with maple syrup called for in the dressing) and bought an apple-cider vinaigrette off the shelf!

I live in Florida, basically in Mickeys backyard. So tomatoes are normally available year around, But I like this suggestion, Will be checking it out.

 

[shoney]

My Mom always makes:
Turkey
Mashed Potatoes
Mashed Turnips
Baked Sweet Potatoes topped with coconut/pecan/brown sugar struesal
Cauliflower and Cheese Sauce
Brussel Sprouts and bacon
Stuffing
Creamed pearl onions
Cranberry Sauce (we only like canned...she used to make homemade when my grandfather was alive)
Corn (my IL's insist on plain corn or it wouldn't be there)

Those are the staples of the dinner...there may be an addition or 2 depending on the year.

She stopped making salad because no one was eating it.

We go light on apps on Thanksgiving....

a large cheese plate with various cheeses, grapes, cured meats
Grilled veggies...like asparagus and
Fresh, crispy bread
Deviled eggs (my husband always makes these for Thanksgiving)
Maybe a few other little things thrown in.

 

[NJlauren]

I'd love to get your recipe for the baked brie, that sounds great!

A warning I don't usually measure for this recipe I eyeball it. So I'm going to tell you what I do and post a link of a similar recipie I found.

I use 2/3 shallots, garlic maybe 2 gloves ish, oil, some salt and pepper, white wine about half a cup, a Brie a round one, 8inch and I use pastry puff.

I sauté the shallots and garlic with salt and pepper (not a ton just to bring out the flavor) in some oil till they are pretty cooked (maybe 10 minutes?)I add the white wine and simmer. I don't caramelize or add sugar as the link I'm going to post suggest.

I let it cool while its cooling I cut the top brine off the Brie and put it in the center of the pastry puff. I use a round Pyrex pie pan, it's the perfect size, then I scoop the shallot mixture on top of the Brie and close up the pastry puff.

I bake at 350 for about 30 minutes. If the pastry puff doesn't look cooked through or if I cut it open and the cheese isn't as melted as I would like I add 5 more minutes.

Link is below, to a similar recipe Enjoy!

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/baked-brie-with-caramelized-onions-1008

 

[NJlauren]

Loving reading somethings other people make that I can't try this year!!!

Op here,

No sweet potato casserole for my family, they just really don't go for it. Also no jello ring or mold it, they will not eat it and it will go to waste.

I was thinking for a salad maybe a tomato and mozzarella salad, it really doesn't scream thanksgiving, but it's tasty and lighter options to mix in with all the heavy food. What do you think?

Love tomato and mozzarella salad! Always a hit.... But I'm in jersey so it's a hit 365 days a year!

 

[debster812]

I've been making this dressing for ~ 10 years or so, and I have family members who start texting me about 2 weeks before Thanksgiving asking me "You're making your mushroom stuffing, right?"

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/savory-mushroom-dressing-recipe.html

 

[focusondisney]

I do a roasted vegetable side dish to bring to our family's dinner: I mix broccoli, cauliflower, carrots & brussel sprouts with Wegman's basting oil (basically just olive oil with garlic & spices). Roast til crispy & carmelized. Yummy!

 

[disneychrista]

Appetizer - Jalapeno Popper Dip

1 - 12oz package of Whipped Cream Cheese
1/4 Cup Mayo
3 oz Diced (canned) Green Chilies
2 oz Diced (canned) Jalapeno
3/4 Cup Shredded Jack Cheese

Stir all ingredients together. Microwave 2 - 3 minutes.

Serve with Tortilla Chips.

 

[Pesky]

It's likely just us for Thanksgiving (which is nice and mellow -- we're really looking forward to it!). So here's what I'm thinking:

Appetizer:
smoked trout spread or lobster salad on ritz crackers

Main meal:
Alton Brown's brined turkey -- it turns out so pretty and delicious. It's Saturday Evening Post pretty!
Stuffing -- I am still in search of a great recipe. I usually do a sausage stuffing.
Mashed potatoes and lots of gravy. DH likes a bit of turkey with his gravy!
Sweet potato casserole -- DS is in LOVE with this dish. It does taste a lot like pecan pie so I love it too!
Roasted brussel sprouts with pine nuts
Peas (DD's request)
Homemade raspberry-orange-cranberry sauce. Such a waste because we hardly eat much but it's super good and I love it with the turkey! Basically follow the directions on the bag of fresh cranberries, reducing the sugar and water a bit. Add some orange juice, fresh diced orange zest, and a few raspberries at the end. Add the raspberries one by one and keep tasting because you go crazy with them and they will overwhelm your sauce.

Dessert:
As it is just us, might do something as simple as a small ice cream cake and a plate of cheeses. You should consider some cheeses and fresh fruit. Gorgonzola spread on sliced apples or pears is amazing. We usually do a nice smoked cheese like a smoked gouda and maybe a cheddar or parrano that the kids gobble up. Sometimes a bit of stilton as my DH loves that with port. That with some nuts is a lovely savory alternative to sweets and certainly easy enough to fix up ahead of time!

For your griller, try grilled asparagus. Super easy -- trim as desired, coat with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, onto the grill and voila! I've also done a warm brussel sprout salad that was FANTASTIC. Toasted pine nuts, sliced brussel sprouts, craisins and this amazing dressing -- saute the brussel sprouts in a big pan with a bit of olive oil. Meantime, whip up a dressing with EVOO, black truffle oil, bourbon, salt and pepper. get the warm brussel sprouts, mix with pine nuts and craisins, toss with the dressing and plate. People were grabbing extra helpings! I tasted it at a fancy restaurant and my MIL convinced the chef to give over the recipe.

 

[hmdavid]

I have made this salad at Christmas, but think it would also go well with Thanksgiving dinner. It is so good! http://allrecipes.com/recipe/13482/...ch result&referringContentType=search results

 

[ten6mom]

I make "Stuffin' Muffins" every year. Basically, it is stuffing cooked in muffin tins (no paper cups, just oil the tins). They are individual servings and you get the perfect amount of crispiness along the outside and not that mushy middle that no one really likes.

Do you used boxed stuffing like Stove Top? Mix it up and bake? For about how long?

 

[ten6mom]

The other great recipe was Awesome Sausage, Apple & Cranberry Stuffing from allrecipes. It has a 5-star rating with over 2000 reviews.

I think this is the one I tried last year, and I agree, it was a big hit!