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

[LovesTimone]

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



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

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I am going to go with the tomato and mozzarella salad, can put it together pretty quick.

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

This looks perfect for my group, and doesn't make a huge amount which I like. I am going to be try the stuffin muffin method, really going to jazz up the dressing...

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/winter-fruit-salad-with-lemon-poppyseed-dressing/?internalSource=search result&referringContentType=search results

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Oh I love this kind of salad, sounds refreshing and light. I will add it to my salad list and will be trying in this week. I do have one question, my mom has some dietary issues and can not have the poppy seeds, any suggestion on a replacement dressing?

 

[hmdavid]

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I am going to go with the tomato and mozzarella salad, can put it together pretty quick.



This looks perfect for my group, and doesn't make a huge amount which I like. I am going to be try the stuffin muffin method, really going to jazz up the dressing...

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Oh I love this kind of salad, sounds refreshing and light. I will add it to my salad list and will be trying in this week. I do have one question, my mom has some dietary issues and can not have the poppy seeds, any suggestion on a replacement dressing?

Maybe a raspberry vinaigrette? The poppy seed dressing is slightly sweet, so I think that would be a good substitute.

 

[kool_kat]

My latest recipe that everyone loves is corn pudding. Everytime we have a meal I get requested to make it. Other than the long cook time, it is so easy to make.

1 (17 oz) can of whole corn drained
1 (17 oz) can of cream corn
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup margarine, melted
1 (8.5 oz) box of Jiffy corn muffin mix
2 eggs

Heat oven to 300. Mix all ingredients and pour into 2 quart casserole. Bake for 1 hour 40 minutes.
For family dinners, I double the recipe and put it in a 9x13...bake time doesn't really change.

 

[amylevan]

We have a weird combination of foods, taking the favorites from various family members' traditions:

Turkey
Stuffing (Bell's seasoning recipe)
Potato Filling (Pennsylvania dutch combination of mashed potatoes and stuffing)
Scalloped Oysters
Mashed Potatoes
Candied Sweet Potatoes
Baked Apples
Steamed Green Beans
Rolls
Gravy
Pumpkin Pie

I used to make a salad, but with all the other foods, it rarely was eaten, so I don't anymore.

 

[Cadiewampus]

Beef Tenderloin, pork butt, standing rib roast or maybe pizza and chicken wings. Its got so I can not stand to sit down and eat the traditional holiday food anymore.

 

[mrsabbott]

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

Yes. Mix together with melted butter and warm water, stir lightly and press into muffin tins, giving it a "muffin" shape. One box makes about 6 muffins. I make 2 boxes but may make 3 or 4 this year because they are so popular. I bake at 350 but, honestly.. I haven't timed it. I just look to see if it is slightly browned on top.

 

[mrsabbott]

I did roasted brussel sprouts with garlic and balsamic vinegar last year. They were really good. My husband is not a fan of casseroles at all, so I am always looking for alternatives to stuff like broccoli and green bean casseroles that are traditionally served.

We have a turkey (for the meat eating relatives), tofurky (for the rest of us) roasted with carrots, onions, and sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffin' muffins, roasted brussel sprouts, mac n' cheese, buttered corn or sautéed green beans, croissant rolls (from a can, have had these every year since I was a kid), and sweet potato pie for dessert.

 

[worm761]

I host Thanksgiving. We aren't close to family. My husband works for the Navy so most of our friends are sailors and also far from home. So we host them and anyone they know that has no place else to go. I never know how many I'll have so I make a ton of food. Last year there were 23 of us.

Apps:
meatballs in jelly sauce (chili sauce and either grape jelly or cranberry)
Jalapeno chicken dip
Lil smokies in BBQ
meat and cheese tray
assorted crackers
deviled eggs
baguette and salsa/cream cheese spread

Main meal:
roast turkey
fried turkey
homemade mashed potatoes
homemade turkey gravy
homemade stuffing http://www.skinnytaste.com/2010/11/moms-stuffing-lightened-up.html
Ruth Chris sweet potatoes
corn souffle
cranberry sauce
green bean casserole
mac and cheese
2 kinds of homemade rolls

Dessert:
mini pumpkin pies
marshmallow salad
and this year I will be making mini Dutch apple pies

I think that's everything.

 

[wilkeliza]

It is always a mix at our place because when we do family Thanksgiving everyone brings a dish or two. You pick, main, side, or dessert and bring whatever you want from that category. The host is usually in charge of the turkey.

Starters/Apps:

Vegetables and various dips.
Cheese platter
Cured Meats

Entree:

Turkey
Fo-turkey
Chicken for kids

Sides:
Mashed Potatoes
Stuffing (with and without nuts)
Green bean casserole
Broccoli casserole
Corn
Biscuits


Dessert:

Cheese cake (variety)
Pies (variety)

 

[roobug]

I love Thanksgiving and reading all these suggestions!

We were in the same situation a few years ago--wanted to try something new and hit upon two recipes that became family "musts". The first was Emeril's Brined Turkey Breast. It was such a hit that I wrote out the quotes from our family on the printed recipe ("best meat I've ever had" haha) People who don't like turkey seem to like it and our son now requests it for his June birthday, so we cook it twice a year. The problem is the exact online version of the recipe is not to be found any longer--there is a similar one--but thankfully we printed out the recipe at the time and have made several copies so as to never lose it. I'd be happy to share with you if you are interested.

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

Could you please post the brine recipe? Thanks!

 

[sunshinemelody]

This is awesome! Holidays in our house are pretty big. We host about 25 people every year and it's no easy feat, but mm, so yummy. *rubs tummy* I actually love Thanksgiving more than Christmas. That should go into the unpopular opinion thread!

In any case, I'll let you know what we did last year (from what I remember).

We don't eat turkey during our Thanksgiving (people in my family are picky, so we just do without), but we brine a chicken for about 2-3 days before we pop that bad boy into the oven. Everything listed is homemade sans the ham as we buy that from Honeybaked Hams.

2015

Appetizers
Corn Cream Croquettes
Crackers, Cheese and Guava (guys, this stuff is amazing together + it's guava paste)
Grape Jelly & BBQ Meatballs (!!)

Salads
Roasted Butternut Squash and Barley Salad (total hit!)
Tossed Salad

Entrée
Hawaiian Sweet Rolls
Honeybaked Ham
Brined Chicken
Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Rice and Peas
Mannish Water (Jamaican goat soup)
Oxtail
Assorted veggies

Desserts
Brown Sugar and Spice Cookies
Pumpkin and Apple Pie
Variety of Ice Cream

Unfortunately, I don't remember it all, but I know that if I found our menu that I'd be pretty close, although, we had a ton more appetizers that I can't remember. I just remember stars in my eyes and a really full belly.

--

2016

Appetizers
Not entirely sure, but I'll update!

Entrée
Roast Beef
Honeybaked Ham
Brined Chicken

Desserts
Assortment of cherry, pumpkin and a cheesecake, I assume

 

[powellrj]

We are really mixing it up this year. Mom is in a locked dementia home and dad is in assisted living in the same building, so we are taking dinner into them. I live almost 3 hours away so there is no way mom or dad could make the trip.

Lasagna, salad, bread and pie! DSIL is local so she is making the lasagna and bread and I am making the salad and pies. Dad doesn't have an oven just a microwave, but his apartment is huge so we should have plenty of room.

I am really going to miss the regular thanksgiving meal, so I may make one later at home for us.

 

[NKHarris329]

For 'fried' turkey get one of these... http://smile.amazon.com/Char-Broil-...8&qid=1446586399&sr=8-7&keywords=turkey+fryer

IMO it ends up just as good without the worry about a pot of burning hot oil.

For recipes... Roast Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Vinegar Glaze, Grandma's Green Bean Casserole (http://allrecipes.com/recipe/13717/grandmas-green-bean-casserole/), loaded smashed potatoes, and a big turkey injected with a marinade.

 

[traviesojmt]

We stick to a pretty traditional menu:

Turkey and Ham
Mashed potatoes (I love Thanksgivning. I go full fat on my mashed postaoes. I make them with butter, cream cheese and sour cream)
Gravy
Deviled eggs
Broccoli casserole
Sweet potato casserole
Dressing/stuffing
Baked Mac and cheese
Possibly roasted asparagus
Rolls
Homemade cranberry sauce

Pumpkin pie
Something chocolate, unsure what yet
I need to figure out another dessert or two.

Appetizers will depend on how many end up coming. No real thoughts on that yet.

 

[Narnia_girl]

Could you please post the brine recipe? Thanks!

Sure, here you go...

Emeril Lagasse's Brined Turkey Breast

1 cup lemon juice
3/4 cup fresh orange juice
1 cup Kosher salt
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup chopped yellow onion
2 oranges, cut in half
3 cinnamon sticks
2 Tablespoons whole cloves
2 Tablespoons whole allspice berries
1 cup Brandy

One 6 to 6.5 lb. whole turkey breast

1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
1 Tablespoon Emeril's Original Essence (You can find online recipes for this if you don't want to buy it, or just use an all purpose seasoning spice mix.)

Instructions
1. To make the brining liquid, combine all the ingredients, except Emeril's Essence and vegetable oil, with 1 gallon of water in a large non-reactive container and stir to dissolve the sugar and salt.

2. Put the turkey in a large colander and rinse under cold running water. Add the turkey breast to the brine. Cover, and refrigerate, turning occasionally, for at least 12 hours and up to 24 hours.
If don't have a large non-reactive container put the turkey breast in a large heavy-duty plastic garbage bag. Make the marinade in a large bowl and pour the marinade into the bag. Put the bag inside a large container or roasting pan in case it should leak or drip. (We scrub out one of our large refrigerator drawers and just use that--it works perfectly.)

3. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

4. Remove the turkey from the brine (discard the brine) and put it breast side up in a large heavy roasting pan. Pat the turkey dry with paper towels. Rub the turkey with the vegetable oil, and sprinkle on both sides with the Essence.

5. Roast until deep golden brown and an instant read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the breast reads 160 degrees, about 1.5 hours. Transfer to a platter and let stand for 15 minutes before carving.

(Note, sometimes the instructions that come with the turkey have a different oven temp. or time to cook so we just watch the turkey and check the internal temp. to determine when it's done.)

I actually love Thanksgiving more than Christmas. That should go into the unpopular opinion thread!

Me too! I love Christmas, but I LOVE Thanksgiving. Family together and good food.

 

[2manypets]

My DSIL & I put on Thanksgiving for 25 - 40 people, some who just come in after their meals to nibble. The following is just my portion to make. My DSIL makes ham and several more sides and desserts.

APPIES:
deviled eggs
veggie tray
cheese & sausage tray
brie with triscuits
proscutto wrapped mozz
w/ritz

MAIN'S
4 - 5 fried turkey
giblet gravy
cranberry sauce
sausage stuffing

SIDES
green bean casserole
sweet potato casserole
corn casserole
pea salad
dinner rolls

DESSERTS
pumpkin pie
apple pie

 

[tink9702]

Some other ideas for you:

Twice Baked Potatoes: http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2011/10/twice-baked-potato-casserole.html
pretzel bites with cheese sauce
Indian Pudding

 

[MomToOne]

Beef Tenderloin, pork butt, standing rib roast or maybe pizza and chicken wings. Its got so I can not stand to sit down and eat the traditional holiday food anymore.

Neither DD15 or I are fans of turkey, so we are in search of an alternate meal as well. In past years, we've just done a day full of appetizers. But we've both grown bored with that. So we are thinking some sort of seafood possibly this year. (Well, I'd rather just go out but DD really still wants to eat in, just something different) DD would like salmon of some sort, but I'm not a big salmon fan. So far the only idea that has a possible thumbs up from both of us are mussels, but I am concerned about getting them fresh - I'm not sure I would make it to the fish shop the afternoon before, and I don't want them any older than that. And what would I do if they were sold out when I got there?

Anyone have any other turkey-alternative ideas out there? We eat pasta on a regular basis, so I'd like to avoid that too. And it's just the 2 of us, so big cuts of meat like ham and rib roasts aren't practical either.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Neither DD15 or I are fans of turkey, so we are in search of an alternate meal as well. In past years, we've just done a day full of appetizers. But we've both grown bored with that. So we are thinking some sort of seafood possibly this year. (Well, I'd rather just go out but DD really still wants to eat in, just something different) DD would like salmon of some sort, but I'm not a big salmon fan. So far the only idea that has a possible thumbs up from both of us are mussels, but I am concerned about getting them fresh - I'm not sure I would make it to the fish shop the afternoon before, and I don't want them any older than that. And what would I do if they were sold out when I got there?

Anyone have any other turkey-alternative ideas out there? We eat pasta on a regular basis, so I'd like to avoid that too. And it's just the 2 of us, so big cuts of meat like ham and rib roasts aren't practical either.

I would go with crabcakes...you can get fresh crab the morning before and it will be fine for the day. It's also indulgent, but still light, and with just the 2 of you, you can make them 95% crab, 5% filling (my favorite way...

 

[tchrrx]

Appetizer:
Last year I made this amazing cranberry jalapeño dip. Usually we just have a veggie tray.
http://jamiecooksitup.net/2010/11/cranberry-cream-cheese-dip-hold-the-wood-chips/

Smoked turkey
Smoked ham
Dressing
Pineapple sauce for the ham
Turkey gravy (mix or store bought jar)
Homemade yeast rolls
Cheap brown and serve rolls (These are just for DH. He loves them and this is the only time I buy them.)
Butter shaped into turkeys using a mold DH bought (lol- I have no idea why.)
Sweet potato casserole
Green beans or corn
Broccoli and rice (Maybe. I usually assign this to MiL because it's something she can cook. Last year she bought a store bought casserole, dumped it in her own dish, and then added butter or something. She asked at least ten times if we liked it with her 'changes.')
Mashed potatoes (just a few)

Dessert
Pumpkin pie
Pecan pie
Chess pie (raisins and pecans)
At least two other pies and probably another dessert also