What’s cooking for Thanksgiving. (609 views)

Hi Mcgee,
You remembered correctly....when I host Thanksgiving, we do a non traditional themed special meal. Last year was a Greek meal with homemade spanokapita, stuffed grape leaves, butternut squash kibbeh, chicken souvlaki, mujaddara, homemade pita, baklava, stewed Greek green beans, greek lemony potatoes etc.... (can't believe I even remembered this many dishes....guess it must have been a memorable meal!). Typically what I then do is make whatever traditional Thanksgiving dishes that my family likes randomly over the next month when they are home from college etc... Mostly that includes stuffing and a few other sides since my family does not like turkey. 

Anyway, this year I am not hosting so it will be a more traditional meal at my SIL's house. She may skip the turkey, though, since FIL also hates the big bird. Sometimes her husband makes her make a turkey since they/he like it but I think she may go with a tenderloin this year. He likes roast "beast" so I am guessing that will appease him. Me, on the other hand, well.....don't eat much meat. Since that is the case and they don't eat many veggies, I usually contribute the vegetable side dishes to the meal. I have a few ideas for this year, but not yet 100% sure. I want to do a roasted butternut squash and red onion with yogurt tahini sauce side (Ottolenghi recipe). I may do a roasted green bean dish too and/or roasted vegetable salad. So I will probably make 2 or 3 sides and a dessert. SIL is making pies so I will probably do something else but not sure yet. All my kids will be home from college as will there cousins so no matter what the meal is, it should be a nice celebration.

Karen

I am actually not cooking dinner this year either, since DH decided we are headed to Pittsburgh to his parents. It is usually just the 4 of us, but I like it because it is low key, I cook once and we eat all weekend, and we decorate for Christmas.  I doubt I'll be making anything this year while we are there.

Anyway, I've pretty much settled on a traditional dinner and make the same things every year. I do try and change up the vegetables since I haven't really settled on any must-haves.

Turkey with make ahead gravy (Cook's Illustrated)
Bacon and Apple Stuffing (Cook's Illustrated)
Green Bean Casserole (Cook's Illustrated)
Cranberry sauce - back of the bag with orange juice and orange zest instead of water
Stuffed Mushrooms - from an old Pittsburgh 70's or 80's cookbook
Homemade rolls or bread
Smashed Sweet Potatoes
Creamy Mashed Potatoes


I thought this Brussel sprouts recipe looked good as well as this green bean recipe.  I marked them thinking about Christmas already.  I've also done a corn casserole in the past.

For dessert, this Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie is always a hit.  I've also made an apple crumb pie or a cranberry pear pie.

I always make stock from the carcass for turkey noodle soup, Turkey and Dumplings or a turkey and wild rice soup.  I freeze the stock and leftover meat and make these when we aren't all turkey'd out

Maria

Everyone's food sounds good! I love Thanksgiving food--traditional or not! My aunt and uncle host and my mom and I bring dessert. Our famous sugar cookies are always on the menu, but this year we have a few more people coming so I might be allowed to add to the traditional pumpkin and pecan pies. I am thinking a Butterscotch Pie.

All the apple pies make me think I might do apple slab pie with cinnamon ice cream for my holiday party the first weekend in December! Or maybe apple buttermilk, but I might be the only one who likes apple buttermilk pie

I moved thread to Food Related; better fit I think. The other section is more just for recipes alone than for all the wonderful chat here about holiday dinner plans.
PS: No plans for me for Thanksgiving. Kids are doing their thing and if husband is home (and not back-packing) or if we are actually home, I'll be surprised. We haven't done holiday dinners for years.

Catbatty

I am going to a friend's house for Thanksgiving, and here's a stretch, I'm making an apple crisp, and bringing some great vanilla ice cream (that part not homemade).

Happy Thanksgiving!