Thanksgiving planning thread

[BonitaApplebum]

My favorite holiday is almost here, I have to get my act in gear.

We are having our yearly pre-thanksgiving party here at our house. We skipped it last year, so I am especially excited about it this year. I just make bird and gravy for this, it's potluck. If I have time I'll make a pie, too.

Then for actual thanksgiving, we go to my mom's. I'll be splitting cooking duty there with my brother. I usually make a bunch of side dishes and he does bird and taters. We both do apps and desserts.

I don't have any dishes picked out yet... who has good Thanksgiving ideas already?

[seattlegirl]

Our plans are a little bit up in the air, but will be low-key as I'm on call. 

I've made this pie before and recommend it!  https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/apple_cranberry_currant_crumble_pie/

[BonitaApplebum]

That sounds yummy! I made a regular apple pie last weekend. I Iike the idea of a slightly fancier one.

[Rejaneration]

Planning on hosting this year for all the 'kids' and my DD's bf and his mother.  Should be interesting.
Doing a turkey, with our family recipe of dressing (Portuguese style).  Also, mashed potatoes (thinking about making them half cauliflower and not telling anyone), cranberry sauce, some other veggies (no idea what yet) and pumpkin praline cheesecake. Or maybe pumpkin crème brulee.

Anyway, I need some inspiration so happy that you started this thread.

[merigayle]

Going to a vegan restaurant with DD, bf and another family, HOWEVER we decided one day that week we will do a night of just the sides. Mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, stuffing, etc.

[Magic Microbe]

Hosting friends this year. I think we are going pretty traditional. The weekend before Thanksgiving we are also having a block party Thanksgiving with the neighbors. It's so weird to have neighbors this friendly.

[diablita]

I'd love your Portuguese stuffing recipe Jan 

We're hosting.  My dad will join us and another friend's big family.  I'll be back soon with some of the recipes I always use.

[BonitaApplebum]

My classic recipes for thanksgiving:

Spinach and butternut gratin
Onion, shallot, and leek gratin
Wild rice with toasted squash, leeks, and cranberries
My granny's creamed spinach

I will definitely make one or more of those.

[ihop]

I would love the leek gratin recipe.

We are heading to my MIL's. DH will smoke the turkey. I have no idea what else is planned.


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[BonitaApplebum]

I would love the leek gratin recipe.

We are heading to my MIL's. DH will smoke the turkey. I have no idea what else is planned.


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https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/scalloped-onions-leeks-and-shallots-10831/amp

I follow it fairly faithfully, but more cheese is good, too. It's a good traveling recipe, you can prep everything ahead of time and just put it in the oven before dinner. I recommend a food processor for the prep.

[diablita]

That recipe looks wonderful Bonita.  I may have to add that.

We'll have a roasted turkey -- I follow Alton Brown's brined recipe faithfully almost every year
A vegan turkey - The Pardon from No Evil Foods
Veg pot pie
Creamy mashed potatoes
Corn souffle (friend is making this)
Traditional stuffing
Sausage/oyster stuffing (friend is bringing)
CL Spirited Cranberry Sauce[/rul]  (I make this every year)
Salad + some other veg

and lots of dessert

[Magic Microbe]

My plans are
Traditional stuffing
Herb roasted turkey
Orange cranberry sauce
Amaretto and apple sweet potatoes
Rolls
Mashed potatoes
Green beans
Gravy
Lemon meringue pie

For the block party thing we are bringing costco apple pie and  chips and guac.

[ihop]

Alton Brown's turkey is so good.

And the leeks look delicious. Thank you.


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[BonitaApplebum]

Oh, I like lemon meringue pie, that's a good idea.

[Run Amok]

We are going to canada for the long weekend but doing friendsgiving this coming weekend. I need to figure out what to make!

[diablita]

MM, tell me more about the amaretto and apple sweet potatoes please

[BonitaApplebum]

What is everyone's stance on appetizers for thanksgiving?

My party is structured so that people arrive at 1 and we serve the meal at 4. There is alcohol served so I like to have some food available during the first part of the party. Usually light weight stuff like cheese and crackers, crudités, etc. My one friend always brings popcorn (Peanuts homage).

At my mom's house we always have tons of apps. We start early and eat late, so that works out ok. Shrimp cocktail is a standard, usually some sort of hot dip, deviled eggs, etc. Natalie is planning pigs in blankets as her contribution.

I have a friend that refuses to put out a single bite of food before dinner, she wants people to "come to the table hungry" for the meal. I see her point, but I think I'd get a little hangry waiting around.

[diablita]

Team Bonita.  I'll have some kind of spicy/sweet nuts (I'll probably use pecans), deviled eggs, tasty cheeses and crudite out for people to snack on.  And there will be a cocktail.  I think I have enough limoncello left from my summer batch to use that with prosecco and maybe something apropos of the holiday like cranberries.

One of our guests is very well known for bringing her things to heavy prep*.  And in general the dishes that are brought for Thanksgiving need some reheating (so I avoid 'handing out' things that don't reheat well like mashed potatoes).  So some snacking and festive beverage drinking will happen.

*When I bring a dish to other people's homes I try to limit/eliminate anything done at their house except a reheat when absolutely necessary.  And I have a galley kitchen so it's challenging when my friends need a lot of space.  But I always make it work.

[ihop]

Always have apps. 

[Run Amok]

Yes to appetizers!