I can't believe we are more than a week into November already. I have been thinking about this party we are having, and have pushed Thanksgiving dinner to the back burner. If you've been around here for a year or more you know I have a pretty big crowd on Thanksgiving -- my immediate family, my brothers' families, my mother and her brother's family from Cincinnati. We're all pretty easygoing about Thanksgiving -- nothing formal or fussy, but for the most part everybody likes the dishes to be pretty close to the same. My mom brings one stuffing and pies, and I make all the rest.
I've decided this year to modify a few of my recipes, so that they are pretty close to the same, with slight variations. My family likes spicy food, as do my brothers and uncle, so I am going to integrate a few spicy ingredients into my traditional recipes. I think they will all meld well, which is good because on Thanksgiving everything on our plates is kind of melded together!
I usually go way overboard and have several breads, a relish in addition to the sauce, a salad, and appetizers, but this year I'm saving a little of myself for the party we are having two days later. Appetizers on Thanksgiving will likely be some sliced cheese and fresh fruit, just to tide us over to dinner.
Thanksgiving Dinner Menu
Roast Turkey
(roasted breast down, with butter rubbed all over, but no rosemary)
Sausage Stuffing
(Grandma Ruth's stuffing, made with fresh chorizo sausage)
Mother's Traditional Stuffing
Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes
Sweet Potato Casserole
Green Beans with Shallots and Red Peppers
Bacon Corn
(I'm going to add some sauteed jalapeno peppers to this dish for a kick)
Cranberry Sauce
(I substitute some 100% orange juice for part of the water)
Poppy Seed rolls
Vouvray for the dinner table, or whatever someone else brings!
~~~~~
Pumpkin Pie
Pecan Pie
Buttermilk Pie
Coffee (with a glug of Bailey's and a dollop of whipped cream)and hot tea
(roasted breast down, with butter rubbed all over, but no rosemary)
Sausage Stuffing
(Grandma Ruth's stuffing, made with fresh chorizo sausage)
Mother's Traditional Stuffing
Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes
Sweet Potato Casserole
Green Beans with Shallots and Red Peppers
Bacon Corn
(I'm going to add some sauteed jalapeno peppers to this dish for a kick)
Cranberry Sauce
(I substitute some 100% orange juice for part of the water)
Poppy Seed rolls
Vouvray for the dinner table, or whatever someone else brings!
~~~~~
Pumpkin Pie
Pecan Pie
Buttermilk Pie
Coffee (with a glug of Bailey's and a dollop of whipped cream)and hot tea
.
5 comments:
How do you do it, Barbara? You are amazing! I hosted Thanksgiving last year, and it left me completely exhausted. Maybe practice, year after year, helps. I'm not hosting this year because of my pregnancy and just moving in. I just couldn't take it on. But I still feel like I don't know if I could do it again (at least not for a BIG crowd), even though I really like the idea of hosting, so that we can incorporate things (like prayer or thankfulness activities) into our day. Otherwise, I think those things can get lost a bit, and that saddens me ... Anyway, I am going to look into some of these recipes, once I know what I need to bring to this year's feast. =)
I love the recipe for your make-ahead mashed potatoes. This will be my third year using it - can you believe it? I don't know if I've ever told you that I use it, but it is so easy and the best way if you are having a crowd (which I always do). Thanks for sharing, Barbara! :)
I must admit, Sarah, that Thanksgiving wipes me out. My family does not share the load because they all either like my food, or think I'm too much of a snob to eat their dish. Most of my guests, except my mom, do not love to cook (though they do love to eat!). I do think I might ask for a little help this year -- anyone can pick up a variety of cheeses and some good wine!
Aimee, I am so glad you use that recipe for potatoes (not mine but good old Betty Crocker!). Last year my college boy helped me peel and we had so much fun. The peels were flying every where, but it was good fun. I do like getting that huge job done the night before!
I've been around for awhile, and I still love reading your menus. I love imaging you all enjoying the fruits of all the hard work and effort you lovingly put in to prepare a feast for your family. It's such a homey and comforting thought. Thanks for sharing as always!!!
I'm so happy to have found your cooking blog via the yarn along! I love all your great ideas and I love to cook too, its nice to find a like minded cook on the web!
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