Thanksgiving Suggestions Please

[kayeandjim00]

I would love to make something to take to Thanksgiving Dinner at my IL's however MIL doesn't have a microwave and I know the oven will be very busy so no way to reheat anything that would need to be warm. I would need a cold dish but just can't think of anything that would go well with the traditional dinner that we don't already have. I handle all the desserts but would really like to bring some sort of side dish as well. Any suggestions for something that can be served cold and is yummy with a turkey dinner? Thanks in Advance!

 

[aimee11621]

Salad? Greens and veggies or Veggie platter with dippng??

Fruit salad? Our favorite is the hawaiian salad. I KNOW NOT VERY TRADITIONAL!!!

But we still love the Hawaiian salad (kids love it)



pm me if you like the simple receipe. (even an inexperienced cook like me can whip it up)

 

[pjlla]

I don't have a recipe suggestion, but maybe something you could make in a crockpot would be good.... it could be kept warm without the oven..............P

 

[piratesmate]

How about that spinach dip that usually gets served in a bread bowl? It goes great with veggies for nibbles beforehand. There are also some good crab dip recipes around that you serve with crackers.

If you want something to serve as a side, how about broccoli salad?

Broccoli Cranberry Salad

4 c broccoli flowerettes, chopped small
½ onion, diced (opt)
8 oz dried cranberries
¼ c shelled sunflower seeds
8 slices bacon
1 c mayonnaise
¼ c sugar
¼ c vinegar

In a large bowl, combine broccoli, cranberries, sunflower seeds and celery. Combine mayo, sugar & vinegar to make a dressing. Pour dressing over and toss. Keep refrigerated.

Have you thought about using a crockpot? If you really want to take a hot dish, making it in the crock could be the solution. I've made Crab Rangoon (like wontons) & just kept them warm in the crock. They're not as crisp, obviously, but we were happy with them that way.

You may not want another starch, but how about a cold wild rice salad? It's unusual, but very tasty.

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.

 

[piratesmate]

Hey pjlla - You posted while I was typing. Great minds think alike.

aimee11621 - I'd love to see the Hawaiian Salad recipe.

 

[aimee11621]

Guys you are the experts I'm ashamed to even post it.

I'm sure you have had it at one point or another.

Its the marshmellow and hawaiian salad you can pick up at the deli!

I make it at home with cool whip/ cream cheese/ canned diced peaches/ fruit salad / marshmellows/cherries/mandarine oranges canned/ and pinapple.

I soften cream cheese and blend well with the cool whip.
Then I place all the canned fruits of my choice and blend cool whip/ cream cheese together. Fruits should be drained first! Too much liquid is a bad thing. Let sit in fridge at least two hours for flavors to blend.

SEEEEEE you all have probably had it a one point in time. Some people add dried coconut . I WE like extra cream cheese. (two packs of the philadelphia stuff!

 

[mommytotwo]

Pasta salad, or stuffed mushrooms.

 

[pumba]

we had this concoction that was a beginner.......it was two or three cans of fruit cocktail completely drained.......and take two containers of cream and whip it really good and mix it up.....very very good and rich too.........
My starter is always shrimp on spinach leaves with cocktail sauce in the middle.....really pretty and a nice presentation.........have fun that is the main thing........I love to have people here and I love to experiment with foods

 

[HunnyPots]

Here is my favorite cranberry salad. I taught pre-school for ten years and my 3 and 4 year olds helped make this every year for our school's Thanksgiving feast, so you see it's really easy.

Cranberry Salad

1lb fresh cranberries, chopped
1 cup sugar
1 16oz can crushed pineapple, drained
1 12oz container Cool Whip, thawed
1 cup chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts are best)
1 bag mini marshmallows

Chop cranberries in food processor and add sugar. Let sweetened berries sit in refrigerator for a couple of hours or till berries are juicy and sugar is dissolved.
In a large bowl, stir all ingredients together. Chill for an hour or so, or overnight if you like. Enjoy!

 

[MamaCrush]

8 oz. Cream Cheese, softened
2 cups Powdered Sugar
1 15oz Can of Pumpkin
1 Tablespoon Cinammon
1 Tablespoon Pumpkin Pie Spice

Blend cream cheese and powdered sugar with a hand mixer. Gradually mix in canned pumpkin. Stir in cinammon and pumpkin pie spice. Refrigerate at least one hour. Serve with ginger snaps and vanilla wafers for dipping.


Every time I serve this I get multiple requests for the recipe. Hope this helps!

 

[piratesmate]

Mamacrush - Oh YUM!!!! That sounds wonderful! I've never heard of that one before. I think I'll do that the next time DS & DDIL come over for dinner. We like to make something a little special when they come...ordinarily we don't have dessert except at holidays.

aimee11621 - That sounds good and a lot like ambrosia - with a twist. DS has always loved ambrosia, but I don't think I've ever seen a recipe with cream cheese before. Thanks for sharing!

 

[kayeandjim00]

Thanks so much to all of you! So many yummy sounding recipes!! I am going to print these all out and figure out what I should make. Thanks again - I had no idea there were so many yummy cold recipes for Thanksgiving!

 

[impsbandaide]

Copper penny salad is a good fix ahead side dish.