what to serve thanksgiving?

[worm761]

this is the first time i have ever hosted thanksgiving. my boyfriend has invited his family to dinner so i have to make it. i know the basics. turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole, dinner rolls, candied yams.
there will be lots of people and they are big eaters. also any suggestions for things for them to eat prior to dinner being served?? i am at a total loss. thank you all for the help!

 

[olena]

Sausage Cheese Balls. I have a great recipe, if you're interested. or you can buy them frozen and cook them up....

 

[jx3smom]

Veggies and dip are nice for before dinner and some cheese and crackers. I also usually serve a nice fruit salad made with canned and fresh fruit. I put black olives and such on the table. Don't forget the cranberry sauce. After dinner I usually have candy dishes set out with nuts and mints in them. I also serve both wine and sparkling cider.

 

[browneyes]

I love sausage/cheese balls. Also, you can buy some baby quiches-heat and serve. The veggies/dip is a great thing too.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Since it is your first time and it is his family with lots of people... I was just wondering if you laid out a dollar cap or talked $$$ with your boyfriend??? Cooking for folks for Thanksgiving can be anywhere from $200-$500 dollars, when all is said and done.
Anyway this will help you in the direction of your planning because if you have a budget to stick with may have to designate desserts/dishes/snacks beforehand to other family members. Just thought I'd warn you.
ESP ask the future MIL or boyfriend about the cranberry sauce and the sweet potato thing with the marshmallows on top or 'traditional' dishes they eat on Thanksgiving.
With big eaters I would also cook a ham. It also it is a good insurance policy in case something happens to the turkey.

Since i have done it FOREVER and am sick of it, DH and I and the 2 dds are going to NEW YORK CITY to see the parade...so I don't have to cook!!!

Good Luck

 

[SeaShelley]

First of all, I hope the family has offered to help. Our family always divides the food with the host always responsible for the turkey. You have a great list already started, but don't forget the cranberry sauce!

 

[olena]

Recips has been sent....

 

[believe]

I host Thanksgiving and do the cooking myself. I love doing it and it keeps individuals from not getting mad because so and so didn't bring the right rolls, etc.
For appetizers I usually make...cheeseball, salami roll ups, ham/pickle roll ups and a veggie tray. We also have different chips out.
Dinner is usually...turkey, sweet potato casserole, broccoli casserole, mashed potatoes/gravy, homemade stuffing, green beans with ham, corn, cranberry sauce, rolls and deviled eggs.
Dessert is...homemade apple pie, pumpkin pie and a platter of cookies/brownies.

Each year changes, but this is the list for the most part. My family is also big eaters, there is usually 2 turkeys. I do have either my Mom or MIL bring one of them....can't wait to get a double oven.

 

[worm761]

thank you all for the quick resposes. no one has offered to bring anything yet. although i dont really think his mother will be coming. she doesnt like me. just his siblings and their significant others. but there are 5 of them!

is there any other advice i should have?

 

[jx3smom]

Use a throw away pan to roast the turkey.

 

[minniecarousel]

I always host a big Thanksgiving. Don't have too much appetizer food. You don't want to fill them up 'til dinner! We always eat at 1 - 2 PM, so I will have fresh fruit & breakfast rolls for those who show up early. See if you can get folks to bring side dishes. There may be family recipes - they can bring those things & dessert. Good luck!!

 

[Cindy B]

7 people isnt' that bad.. really.

I just had about 25 people at my house for my DH's birthday party.


I served ham, green bean casserole, salad, potato casserole, pineapple stuffing

Plus cake

appetizers were veggies and dip (dip was homemade)
and another appetizer that went like hotcakes...

I got some little smokie type sausages/hot dogs, and put it in my mini crock pot and topped it off with a bottle of bbq sauce.. warmed it up, and they were gone in a flash!

 

[CamColt]

Is his family Italian? If so(and maybe if not) you you will need at least one course of Italian food like Lasagna, raviolis, etc...

Before dinner we usually have crackers, cheese, chips, onion dip, and shrimp dip(I dont eat the shrimp, but I love the dip part )

 

[The Mystery Machine]

OK! Is this thread making anyone hungry??? Because I want T Dinner now!

 

[Disney845]

None of you mentioned Spinach dip. I love this soooooo much. There is a recipe on the back of Knorrs soup or you can get Knorr recipes online:

http://www.us.knorr.com/4109.asp

You get a round bread loaf and carve out the insides. You cut the insides up into bit size pieces and place the actual dip inside the center of the carved out loaf. I do not like water chestnuts so I would leave them out, but others like them, so I just pick them out of my helpings. I could eat this whole thing if no one else was there to have any

Don't forget the cranberry sauce. I love the jellied kiind, but others like whole cranberries. Also corn! I love creamed corn, can't have thanksgiving w/out corn! I also like to have carrots, I prefer buttered with seasoning, but some like candied carrots. You might also want another green vegetable that isn't green bean casserole (I think there are a lot of people who do not like this - can't speak for your family of course). Maybe asparagus, brocolli, or brussel sprouts?

 

[piratesmate]

Our usual menu is:
Pre-dinner
Relish Tray - sweet pickles, radishes, celery stalks, olives, etc.
maybe mints & mixed nuts
Dinner
turkey & gravy
filling/stuffing/dressing
sweet potatoes - either baked, casserole or candied (last year - FuFu)
oyster filling (does NOT go in the turkey - I think some call it "scalloped")
cranberries
green bean casserole
corn pudding (also called souffle)
steamed ginger carrots or broccoli salad
rolls & butter
"green junk" (lime jello, cream cheese, pineapple, etc salad)
Dessert - usually a couple of hours later
pumpkin pie
mince pie
fruit salad
or every once in a while we'll have cheese cake

Let me know if you want any of the recipes.

Deb

PS - For an appetizer, my immediate family really likes crab rangoon!

 

[ChiTownZee]

there is the most awesome stuffing recipe at foodandwine.com that I made last christmas. I'm telling, it was so good I was eating it before I baked it! Made with cream, wine, butter, very good. Do a search for wild mushroom stuffing. AND you can make it the night before and then just bring it to room temp before baking. FYI, it says assorted wild mushrooms, I used all regular mushrooms and it was great.