1st Thanksgiving dinner

shestheone said:

Thanks everyone! Below is my menu. I've bought almost everything. Let me know what, if anything, I am missing.

Fresh Turkey (have an herb butter recipe I will use, along with lots of broth)

sausage stuffing

Sweet Potato casserole

garlic-whipped mashed potatoes

gravy, thickened with cornstarch

brussel sprouts with bacon and onion

green bean casserole

cranberry sauce, pickles, olives

pasta dish (for the teens)

Starters: cheese & crackers, italian meats, shrimp from Freeman's

Dessert: pie, ice cream, blondies

Lots of prosecco, riesling, beer, apple cider

It looks fabulous! Remember to enjoy yourself.

Tip: cook everything ahead of time that you can. It's near impossible to cook that much food in a day. Figure out which items can be made ahead and how they will keep and be reheated if needed. It can help to write up a schedule as a checklist, even if you don't suffer from OCD.  

Has anyone tried making mashed potatoes (not just keeping them warm) in a slow cooker? 

http://www.pbs.org/parents/kitchenexplorers/2015/11/05/classic-make-ahead-mashed-potatoes/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=pbsofficial&utm_campaign=parents_ke

According to today's Star Ledger, based on data from 2012, 2013 and 2014 Green Bean Casserole is the top Google Thanksgiving recipe search for New Jersey residents.

EBennett said:

According to today's Star Ledger, based on data from 2012, 2013 and 2014 Green Bean Casserole is the top Google Thanksgiving recipe search for New Jersey residents.

because it's so hard to remember how to make it   

mjh said:

EBennett said:

According to today's Star Ledger, based on data from 2012, 2013 and 2014 Green Bean Casserole is the top Google Thanksgiving recipe search for New Jersey residents.

because it's so hard to remember how to make it  "> 

Isn't the recipe on the label of the french-fried onions?

j_r said:

Has anyone tried making mashed potatoes (not just keeping them warm) in a slow cooker? 

http://www.pbs.org/parents/kitchenexplorers/2015/11/05/classic-make-ahead-mashed-potatoes/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=pbsofficial&utm_campaign=parents_ke

I've never done it, but I'm thinking about it now.

it's thanksgiving this week and I know with jobs and kids things can get overwelming ... If anyone needs help shopping there thanksgiving list please let me know. Tomorrow Wednesday (only) I'll be happy to help you. I won't charge you, but if you like to help with gas that would be nice.  

Just PMed me !!

sac said:

mjh said:

EBennett said:

According to today's Star Ledger, based on data from 2012, 2013 and 2014 Green Bean Casserole is the top Google Thanksgiving recipe search for New Jersey residents.

because it's so hard to remember how to make it  " src="/res/static/common/plugins/redactor/emoticons/1.0/images/1.gif"> 

Isn't the recipe on the label of the french-fried onions?

That's where I'm getting it.  Trader Joes has it printed on the can.  Unfortunately, they did not align it with Trader Joes products so the amounts called for are different than the size of the products they sell.  So you have to either buy more and have waste or buy less and try to adjust.

nan said:

sac said:

mjh said:

EBennett said:

According to today's Star Ledger, based on data from 2012, 2013 and 2014 Green Bean Casserole is the top Google Thanksgiving recipe search for New Jersey residents.

because it's so hard to remember how to make it  " src="/res/static/common/plugins/redactor/emoticons/1.0/images/1.gif"> 

Isn't the recipe on the label of the french-fried onions?

That's where I'm getting it.  Trader Joes has it printed on the can.  Unfortunately, they did not align it with Trader Joes products so the amounts called for are different than the size of the products they sell.  So you have to either buy more and have waste or buy less and try to adjust.

Not a problem if there are extra fried onions.  

Looks great, what time should I come over Thursday?!?!

FYI, I found these links extremely helpful (and tasty in practice, especially the gravy one):

http://cooking.nytimes.com/guides/how-to-cook-turkey 

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/classic-turkey-gravy-recipe.html 

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/-simple-is-best-dressing-51124210 

(just mix in browned sausage to the dressing one)

shestheone said:

Thanks everyone! Below is my menu. I've bought almost everything. Let me know what, if anything, I am missing.

Fresh Turkey (have an herb butter recipe I will use, along with lots of broth)

sausage stuffing

Sweet Potato casserole

garlic-whipped mashed potatoes

gravy, thickened with cornstarch 

brussel sprouts with bacon and onion

green bean casserole

cranberry sauce, pickles, olives

pasta dish (for the teens)

Starters: cheese & crackers, italian meats, shrimp from Freeman's

Dessert: pie, ice cream, blondies

Lots of prosecco, riesling, beer, apple cider

what time?

What time is dinner so I can make certain I am there on time (tis a joke).

rhw said:

what time?

I am totally trying those slow cooker mashed potatoes. Also:

Fresh turkey (dry-brined per Melissa Clark's recipe in the Times) 

Gravy (my mom's recipe) 

Roasted brussels sprouts (sea salt, pepper, a good olive oil)

Roasted maple sweet potatoes

Baby kale salad with parmesan and chickpeas (http://www.onceuponachef.com/2013/12/baby-kale-salad-with-lemon-parmesan-crispy-roasted-chickpeas.html)

Garlic ciabbatta rolls

Cranberry sauce (canned, by request)

Pickles -- hot and mild, made with love by the wonderful folks at PickALS

Dessert: wam pecan pie, warm homebaked apple pie, homemade brownies (again by request), vanilla bean ice cream

There should be plenty extra, so come on by! 

Oh, count me in for the slow-cooker mashed potatoes!!

And just to set the record straight, there is no mushroom soup in my string bean casserole. Here are the ingredients:

shallots, salt, oil, mushrooms, soy sauce, lemon, chicken stock, heavy cream, butter, garlic, flour, black pepper, green beans. 

and deborahg, i would love a great gravy recipe. can you share or is it a family secret?

oh, and we eat at 3:00. the more the merrier! 

This worked great for me this year (we had a small, family T-giving meal last Sunday since we are going out with friends Thurs).  I skipped the Worcestershire; the pan drippings added great flavor - I put some stock, fresh garlic, thyme and onions in my roasting pan at the outset of cooking the turkey.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/classic-turkey-gravy-recipe.html

shestheone said:

i would love a great gravy recipe. can you share or is it a family secret?

Success! Thanks everyone.

shestheone said:

Success! Thanks everyone.

Yay! Good job!

In the unlikely event that you find yourself in turkey and cranberry-deprived Asia, a good substitute is chicken and pomegranite seeds.   Thankfully, champagne is available everywhere. 

is your chicken in labor? 

We named the lemon Ignatius. 

deborahg said:

is your chicken in labor? 

Slow cooker mashed potatoes were a big hit in my house, so easy!

sareason said:

Slow cooker mashed potatoes were a big hit in my house, so easy!

Mine were done early, but that was a good thing! I think I'd leave out the water next time.

ours were good too! 

I made a boneless turkey breast in the crockpot this year.  So easy and it was a big hit!   On the other hand, no one liked the green bean casserole.  Never again for that one.  I learned my lesson.

I made the mashed potatoes, stuffing and turkey breast Wednesday. Heated the potatoes in the crock pot The only things I had to do Thursday was finish off the veggies, make gravy and bake rolls 

Trader Joes had whole wheat butternut squash gyoza(sp?) that made a great appetizer