Thanksgiving planning thread

[witchypoo]

nibble cheese and crackers

marsala glazed turkey (i use a dry brine)
mushroom and shallot gravy
mashed potatoes
roasted carrots
sauteed green beans
brussels sprouts salad

cranberry pie w/whipped cream

tipple

[witchypoo]

I'm curious - how far in advance do your respective families firm up Thanksgiving plans?

my mother demanded we all set our plans (to travel to her house for t'giving) in AUGUST.

so i was a firm NO.

[rocketgirl]

I messaged my brother who didn't know but thought his daughter might.  So I messaged my niece who thought it was happening and then she confirmed so now I know it's Thursday at 2.  And then I messaged my brother.  Haha.

Now, let's see if it STAYS Thursday at 2...

[Rejaneration]

Had a free minute so I googled "Portuguese stuffing recipes" and Leite's Culinaria popped up.  I had forgotten all about this site and how much I love it.   

This mushroom strudel recipe looks simple and divine.  It would make a great Thanksgiving app either cut into small pieces or (I may do this) with the filo shaped into purses for individual bites.  https://leitesculinaria.com/2229/recipes-mushroom-strudel.html

That is a great site and the one I use for the codfish cakes.  Below is my grandmother's recipe:
1 lb ground pork - you may only be able to find it with spices. That's ok.
1 lb ground beef
1 cup chopped celery
1 large onion chopped
2 Tsp poultry seasoning
2 cloves of garlic, chopped.
salt and pepper to taste
2 bay leaves
1-2 loaves, crappy white bread, preferably a bit stale. - tear into tiny chunks.  Start with one loaf.

In a BIG pot, add olive oil. Heat.  Add garlic and stir until good smells. About 1-2 minutes.  Add onion and celery.  Cook, stirring frequently until translucent.  Add seasonings. Stir.  Add meat and stir until cooked. Add bread crumbs, stirring, until you get the consistency you want.  I add the bread crumbs, stir it up and then, cover the pot for about 10 minutes.  Then, I check the consistency.  if too wet, add more bread.  It should stick together but not be saucy.

[BonitaApplebum]

My party was a blast. We wound up with about 35 guests. I don’t do anything overly creative for that party, just the bird, gravy, and taters... now I get to make a bunch of much more fun side dishes for Thursday.

Gotta make some decisions soon...

[nadra24]

We're going to my sister's and bringing roasted carrots and asparagus, a blueberry pie, and a chocolate dream pie. I'm also making mashed potatoes for a work potluck on Tuesday, if there's leftovers I'll bring those too.

[Rejaneration]

Prep has started. Spiced nuts and cranberry sauce are done.  Both are delish.

[merigayle]

My party was a blast. We wound up with about 35 guests. I don’t do anything overly creative for that party, just the bird, gravy, and taters... now I get to make a bunch of much more fun side dishes for Thursday.

Gotta make some decisions soon...

[diablita]

I can't make cranberry sauce in advance.  It WILL give you a stomach ache if you eat an entire batch in one night.

[merigayle]

So instacart brought me plain stuffing by accident, no seasoning. What to do?

[Magic Microbe]

I can't make cranberry sauce in advance.  It WILL give you a stomach ache if you eat an entire batch in one night.

I have also learned this lesson the hard way.

[BonitaApplebum]

Okay, we are on the hook for:
Cranberry sauce
Green bean casserole
Onion/leek/shallot gratin
Creamed spinach
Apple pie
Deviled eggs
Pigs in blankets (Natalie is making that one)

I decided to stick with tried-and-true recipes this year as I don’t seem to have a lot of bandwidth this week.

I’m hoping to prep everything today. That way we just have to drive tomorrow and then just pop things in the oven. The rest of the time I can focus on getting a buzz on and talking smack with my cousins.

[DocBuzzkill]

That is a great site and the one I use for the codfish cakes.  Below is my grandmother's recipe:
1 lb ground pork - you may only be able to find it with spices. That's ok.
1 lb ground beef
1 cup chopped celery
1 large onion chopped
2 Tsp poultry seasoning
2 cloves of garlic, chopped.
salt and pepper to taste
2 bay leaves
1-2 loaves, crappy white bread, preferably a bit stale. - tear into tiny chunks.  Start with one loaf.

In a BIG pot, add olive oil. Heat.  Add garlic and stir until good smells. About 1-2 minutes.  Add onion and celery.  Cook, stirring frequently until translucent.  Add seasonings. Stir.  Add meat and stir until cooked. Add bread crumbs, stirring, until you get the consistency you want.  I add the bread crumbs, stir it up and then, cover the pot for about 10 minutes.  Then, I check the consistency.  if too wet, add more bread.  It should stick together but not be saucy.

That looks great, Jan!  I make something similar using Italian sausage, ciabatta bread cubes (drying in the oven now), and a mix of dried and fresh herbs (sage, rosemary, thyme, oregano, a bit of fennel seed).

With our respective families all back in the Midwest and preferring not to travel over T-giving (although we went to FL last year), we almost always have a very low key Thanksgiving at home (just me, the Mister, and the two Spawn).  The menu is pretty simple, too:

* Appies will be bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with a Marcona almond and tuna-stuffed peppadew peppers (Spawn the Elder will come over early in the afternoon and make these).  Likely will make some sort of cocktail for Spawn the Elder and me.
*Roaster chicken (about 6ish pounds or so); I work a good amount of chopped pancetta, sage, rosemary, salt and pepper under its skin (based on a Tuscan recipe for guinea fowl) and stick a lemon up its butt.
* Mashed potatoes and gravy (the Mister is a master gravy maker)
* Aforementioned sausage dressing
* Steamed Brussels sprouts
* Pumpkin pie
* Unoaked Temecula Valley Chardonnay

[diablita]

Nice ladies!

Now that I have the turkey being brought with parents who will need pareve sides + dessert

so I'm making:
charcuterie board with meat (salami) & cheese
charcuterie board with beef and no cheese
deviled eggs

butter/cream laden mashed potatoes
vegan mashed potatoes
vegan sweet potato casserole
stuffing
apricot spirited cranberry sauce

pumpkin pie
coconut cake

cute mini pies - graham cracker crust with smores filling and chocolate crust with chocolate cream filling

[merigayle]

No stuffing advice to my previous post? 

[Chasing Amy]

No stuffing advice to my previous post? 

chopped parsley
minced fresh sage, rosemary and thyme

Yes, musical, but those are the classic herbs. Plus celery, onion, salt and pepper.


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[merigayle]

chopped parsley
minced fresh sage, rosemary and thyme

Yes, musical, but those are the classic herbs. Plus celery, onion, salt and pepper.


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The only one I have fresh is sage.

[Chasing Amy]

The only one I have fresh is sage.

How about dried herbs? Not quite as flavorful, but will definitely work.


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[diablita]

I'm sorry I missed the question.  Do you have very flavorful (veg) broth/stock?

[merigayle]

Veg stock and dried herbs. Poultry seasoning too