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Post by prapea on Nov 13, 2017 0:16:51 GMT
It seems like we skipped thanksgiving and went straight to christmas (or so it looks when I go to any store).
So let’s talk T-day. What are you doing? Are you cooking? Buffet or sit down? Traditional or mix up of traditional and not so traditional dishes? Anything you want to share including menus, recipes, tablescape..or if you want to share funny stories. This is open for everything thanksgiving 😜
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Post by mcscrapper on Nov 13, 2017 0:24:21 GMT
Thanksgiving around here is pretty straight forward. This is the first year that I've been off of work in 8 years so I don't really know what to do with myself. Because of my schedule, we usually do Thanksgiving on Friday. I smoke a turkey breast on the Egg and make some type of bacon green bean thing while the rest of the family does other sides - mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes (I make these too), mac and cheese (my sis in law's is AMAZING), squash casserole, etc. My mom does a roasted turkey and dressing and deviled eggs. We may have a few other sides like creamed corn or something but it all depends on who all decides to show up.
This year should prove interesting...my dad is coming to my mom and step-dad's. My exH will also probably come. It is my dd's 18th birthday so we can't not include him. He's all alone so I hate excluding him. My new DH is ok with it at least. Maybe our thanksgiving isn't quite so straight forward after all.
We will, however, take a hayride through my mom's property and that's always a lot of fun. I probably look forward to that more than the dang food and we make some primo food, too!!
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QueenoftheSloths
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Jun 26, 2014 0:29:24 GMT
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Post by QueenoftheSloths on Nov 13, 2017 0:30:06 GMT
It's just DH and I. We have been going out to a buffet for a number of years now, but good ones are getting harder and harder to find. The place we went last year raised the price and then tried to spin it as a good thing by including a glass of wine, which is fine if you drink, but we don't. So this year we have decided to stay home. But since it is just the 2 of us, a full traditional Thanksgiving feast isn't really practical. We are still kicking around some ideas, but I think it might be Chinese food. We will have to buy it the day before, so technically it will be leftover Chinese food.
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Post by jeremysgirl on Nov 13, 2017 0:34:22 GMT
I am hosting Thanksgiving this year. I have found that my family likes the same traditional dishes and they do not like when you change up the menu.
I'll be making a deep fried turkey, mashed potatoes with gravy, praline sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, corn, sausage stuffing, and corn. The kids also are lovers of all things pumpkin and they begged me to make two pumpkin pies this year. I don't care for pumpkin pie so I'm also going to do a cheesecake. I have been looking for a butter pecan type cheesecake.
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zookeeper
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Posts: 3,909
Aug 28, 2014 2:37:56 GMT
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Post by zookeeper on Nov 13, 2017 0:37:28 GMT
I adore Thanksgiving. My dh and I are going to my mom's house five hours away, but we are all eating at my brother's house. My aunt and uncle are going too and this is the last time that I will be able to see them before they move back to Arkansas. They are very special to us as dh and I got married at their house five years ago.
Our 5th year wedding anniversary is the day after Thanksgiving...yay!
And one of my most favorite things about Thanksgiving are the Friends episodes that are Thanksgiving centric!!!!!
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Post by freecharlie on Nov 13, 2017 0:38:40 GMT
I've offered to host for the first time. We will see if my brother's family wants to come up. We go the traditional route.
When we do it with Dh's family, we add in homemade tortellini .
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Post by monicad on Nov 13, 2017 0:42:32 GMT
I am hosting Thanksgiving this year. I have found that my family likes the same traditional dishes and they do not like when you change up the menu. Mine either...I have wasted so much time and money trying new things, only to throw most of them out. We're very traditional with the menu, which helps in a way because I know exactly what to do. There will be about 11 of us, so not too big. Would love any great turkey recipes/methods. Even though I've hosted Thanksgiving for years, I only cook a turkey once a year and always seem to forget exactly what to do. LOL I guess I just haven't found that *one* favorite way of doing it.
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Post by Linda on Nov 13, 2017 0:46:03 GMT
we're changing this up this year because we've been invited to friends - usually it's just us at home. I'll bring cranberry jello salad, pumpkin gingerbread, mashed yellow turnip, and some sort of a dip with either crackers or crisps
I'll probably go ahead and make a turkey over the weekend afterwards because we like leftovers...we've been moving towards more vegetable sides, less desserts in recent years, in fact I think last year I didn't end up making dessert at all and nobody except me cared.
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amom23
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Jun 27, 2014 12:39:18 GMT
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Post by amom23 on Nov 13, 2017 0:50:23 GMT
We are hosting and will have at last count 14 people. For the most part we stick to a pretty traditional menu. These days I'd rather host than travel and some family members will help out with bringing a dish and/or cleaning up.
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Grom Pea
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Jun 27, 2014 0:21:07 GMT
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Post by Grom Pea on Nov 13, 2017 0:58:45 GMT
We will be guests at my sil's house. I'm going to bring pumpkin cream puffs that I found at the grocery store when liking for eclairs which I also bought. I'll pretty them up by putting them in pretty cupcake papers or something. I'm making the turkey for my kids'preschool though, since I don't have to host and I got a free turkey for spending $100 on groceries I figured I could pop it in the oven before school and dh could help deliver and carve it for all the kids since the teacher said many of her students never get to see a formal turkey, just the slices.
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rodeomom
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Refupee # 380 "I don't have to run fast, I just have to run faster than you."
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Location: Chickasaw Nation, Oklahoma
Jun 25, 2014 23:34:38 GMT
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Post by rodeomom on Nov 13, 2017 1:23:57 GMT
I am hosting Thanksgiving this year. I have found that my family likes the same traditional dishes and they do not like when you change up the menu. I'll be making a deep fried turkey, mashed potatoes with gravy, praline sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, corn, sausage stuffing, and corn. The kids also are lovers of all things pumpkin and they begged me to make two pumpkin pies this year. I don't care for pumpkin pie so I'm also going to do a cheesecake. I have been looking for a butter pecan type cheesecake. How are you going to deep fry the turkey? My family did this one year outside in a big fryer, it was a big hit. But I'v been seeing the inside fryers for sale. Something like this. I would love to do this. Indoor Turkey Fryer
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Post by jeremysgirl on Nov 13, 2017 1:25:35 GMT
I am hosting Thanksgiving this year. I have found that my family likes the same traditional dishes and they do not like when you change up the menu. I'll be making a deep fried turkey, mashed potatoes with gravy, praline sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, corn, sausage stuffing, and corn. The kids also are lovers of all things pumpkin and they begged me to make two pumpkin pies this year. I don't care for pumpkin pie so I'm also going to do a cheesecake. I have been looking for a butter pecan type cheesecake. How are you going to deep fry the turkey? My family did this one year outside in a big fryer, it was a big hit. But I'v been seeing the inside fryers for sale. Something like this. I would love to do this. Indoor Turkey FryerWe are using an outdoor fryer. I posted a thread this morning because I was unsure how I wanted to prepare the turkey. I got a few ideas on that thread.
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rodeomom
Pearl Clutcher
Refupee # 380 "I don't have to run fast, I just have to run faster than you."
Posts: 3,670
Location: Chickasaw Nation, Oklahoma
Jun 25, 2014 23:34:38 GMT
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Post by rodeomom on Nov 13, 2017 1:30:14 GMT
Has anyone tried the indoor turkey fryer??
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Post by prapea on Nov 13, 2017 1:31:46 GMT
To answer my own question, I make thanksgiving meal at my house and usually friends come over as my family is in east coast and schedules always clash. I never made turkey though as most of our friends don’t like it or prefer something else. Last year we did beer can chickens on the grill and it was good. One year we did tandoori chicken ..lolol.
I always do mashed potatoes with gravy, cranberry sauce, green beans with shallots and some roasted vegetables(usually asparagus/cauliflower/mushroom mix). I also get trader joe’s boxed stuffing and follow instructions ....lololol because DS insists on it 🤣. I also do several random sides like devilled eggs, cilantro-lime rice etc.
I always always outsource dessert. We all love Trader joe’s pecan pie and AJ’s tiramisu So that’s what we usually have.
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Post by mcscrapper on Nov 13, 2017 1:38:52 GMT
It's just DH and I. We have been going out to a buffet for a number of years now, but good ones are getting harder and harder to find. The place we went last year raised the price and then tried to spin it as a good thing by including a glass of wine, which is fine if you drink, but we don't. So this year we have decided to stay home. But since it is just the 2 of us, a full traditional Thanksgiving feast isn't really practical. We are still kicking around some ideas, but I think it might be Chinese food. We will have to buy it the day before, so technically it will be leftover Chinese food. If you have a Cracker Barrell nearby they do a pretty good job and they even do a "meal for 4" to-go box. That will yield you some seriously good leftovers at least. SaveSave
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Post by 950nancy on Nov 13, 2017 1:47:20 GMT
I feel very fortunate to have everyone home for the long weekend. There are just four of us. I haven't had to share my boys with other people yet. I will cook for three evenings and we will eat it all in 25 minutes and then everyone will help clean it all up in about 15 minutes and watch football while I find something else to do.
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Post by ~summer~ on Nov 13, 2017 1:49:20 GMT
what Is everyone making for dessert? I’m baking traditional pumpkin and apple pies but considering venturing out and making a cheesecake- something I’ve never made
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scrapngranny
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Jun 25, 2014 23:21:30 GMT
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Post by scrapngranny on Nov 13, 2017 1:50:52 GMT
This year Thanksgiving is at my DD’s, but I’m doing the cooking. DH and I always furnish Thanksgiving. We always have the same traditional dinner. Sometimes I will throw in something new, but I never delete anything. Each person’s favorite is always included. The year I pass the torch to the DDs will be interesting, that is for sure.
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ellen
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Jun 30, 2014 12:52:45 GMT
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Post by ellen on Nov 13, 2017 1:52:41 GMT
We just do Thanksgiving with our two kids. This year my daughter's boyfriend will be joining us. My husband is in charge of the dressing and he'll cook the turkey in our Big Easy turkey cooker. My kids have asked if we can have cheesy potatoes instead of mashed potatoes. I'm fine with that. I'll make sweet potatoes and a salad of some sort. For dessert I'll make an apple pie and am thinking about making a pumpkin cheesecake instead of a pumpkin pie.
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janeinbama
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Posts: 3,200
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Jan 29, 2015 16:24:49 GMT
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Post by janeinbama on Nov 13, 2017 1:57:18 GMT
We too are traditional Thanksgiving eaters - even with desserts. The Macy's Thanksgiving parade followed by the dog show. We try to eat at high noon, then spend the afternoon strategizing Black Friday shopping.
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Sue
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Jun 26, 2014 18:42:33 GMT
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Post by Sue on Nov 13, 2017 2:05:18 GMT
This will be the 49th Thanksgiving dinner I've cooked and our menu has varied only slightly since that first dinner 6 months after my husband and I married. There will be eleven of us this year and 2 of those will spend the whole weekend with us. The others will pop in and out over the weekend. Our menu is very traditional.. roast turkey, about a 23 pounder, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, candied yams, green bean casserole, orange fluff, cranberry sauce and homemade dinner rolls. Our pre-dinner appetizer will be a pear- walnut baked brie served with sliced mini-baguettes. Dessert will be a selection of 6 different pies and a couple chocolate desserts.
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Deleted
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Sept 21, 2024 0:51:34 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 13, 2017 2:14:09 GMT
I'm headed to my daughters along with my parents and sister. Mom has the desserts covered with a pumpkin pie, pecan pie and a Texas Chocolate sheet cake. My son in law will do the turkey. Some years he smokes it (yum!) and some years he deep fries it (yum!) and some years there are enough of us he needs two turkeys and does both (super yum!) My daughter and I will do the clean up since we didn't do any of the cooking.
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moodyblue
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Jun 26, 2014 21:07:23 GMT
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Post by moodyblue on Nov 13, 2017 2:45:48 GMT
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays.
My family will be gathering at my mother's house; she's been hosting on the farm for about 50 years! However, she's 88 and arthritis is really limiting what she can do, so she will essentially be providing the house while the rest of us do the work. My brother, who lives across the driveway from her, will cook the turkey and do the mashed potatoes and dressing, and whatever he decides. Other family members will bring salads and other sides and desserts. I'll bring beverages, whatever else we need, and help set up and get the place ready, along with heating and setting out the food. We should have about 20 people this time.
Since long ago, when I was a kid and my grandma hosted, we have had some kind of craft item to make for those who are interested, usually some kind of Christmas ornament. I've been providing those for many years now, so I will prep and bring all the stuff for that. Grandma used to make some elaborate items, and in order to be fair about who ended up with the things she made, we'd draw names or numbers (we all have our assigned number in the extended family) to determine who got which ones. We've kind of continued that, with me making treat bags and boxes with candy or other items in them. Relatives bring things for it too. It's just a fun thing to do, and we have a "raffle" at Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. We don't really exchange gifts so this works for us.
Some of my cousins will gather all the newspaper ads and plan out the start of their shopping, some will play games around the dining room table, some just sit and talk, some might color while they talk.
I think we all wonder when things will change even more - two years ago my mom was in the hospital with a torn muscle that was bleeding and we had Thanksgiving without her - at her house. That was the start of her being more of a guest than host. We've lost my dad, an uncle and an aunt in the last nine years, and my mom and the remaining aunt and uncle are all in their upper 80s and having health issues. Makes it a little more poignant. However, the youngest family member just turned one, and he and his parents will be there this year.
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Post by Merge on Nov 13, 2017 2:50:39 GMT
It's just the four of us and MIL so we keep it pretty simple. DH will do the turkey on the Traeger. Traditional sides. I would love to cook for a crowd and do fancier stuff, but alas, none of our extended family will travel and we just traveled to them over the summer. So a small Thanksgiving it is.
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Post by mom26 on Nov 13, 2017 3:05:58 GMT
With no extended family other than our adult children and grandchildren, I will host as always. The only change the last few years has been working around work schedules. Our two youngest generally work Thanksgiving day, so we have our big T-day dinner another day. This year it will be on Friday.
Which is fine by me. Gives me an extra day and my oldest son and daughter don't have to trek an hour here to eat a second dinner after having one earlier in the day with their Dad and his girlfriend.
We'll have all the traditional foods: turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole, mac and cheese, corn, stuffing. None of us are big on desserts so no pies or cakes or anything like that.
Just a big carb-heavy meal and time with the kids and grandchildren. Simple, low key and I love it.
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QueenoftheSloths
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Member Since January 2004, 2,698 forum posts PeaNut Number: 122614 PeaBoard Title: StuckOnPeas
Posts: 5,955
Jun 26, 2014 0:29:24 GMT
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Post by QueenoftheSloths on Nov 13, 2017 3:12:06 GMT
It's just DH and I. We have been going out to a buffet for a number of years now, but good ones are getting harder and harder to find. The place we went last year raised the price and then tried to spin it as a good thing by including a glass of wine, which is fine if you drink, but we don't. So this year we have decided to stay home. But since it is just the 2 of us, a full traditional Thanksgiving feast isn't really practical. We are still kicking around some ideas, but I think it might be Chinese food. We will have to buy it the day before, so technically it will be leftover Chinese food. If you have a Cracker Barrell nearby they do a pretty good job and they even do a "meal for 4" to-go box. That will yield you some seriously good leftovers at least. SaveSaveNo Cracker Barrels in our area. We did think about one of those dinners you order from a grocery store, but DH thought they were overpriced, which is probably true for what you get.
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quiltz
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Jun 29, 2014 16:13:28 GMT
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Post by quiltz on Nov 13, 2017 3:32:47 GMT
Mine either...I have wasted so much time and money trying new things, only to throw most of them out. We're very traditional with the menu, which helps in a way because I know exactly what to do. There will be about 11 of us, so not too big. Would love any great turkey recipes/methods. Even though I've hosted Thanksgiving for years, I only cook a turkey once a year and always seem to forget exactly what to do. LOL I guess I just haven't found that *one* favorite way of doing it. I always spray some olive oil over the turkey and put some chicken soup powder inside the turkey with a quartered onion & a few garlic cloves, that have been peeled but not chopped. This really helps to make the flavour of the gravy so yummy. I also use a turkey cooking bag. Let the turkey cool for at least 20+minutes in the bag, the juices will be so good. I have to say that I'm glad that Thanksgiving in Canada is in early October. It gives a person a chance to enjoy both Thanksgiving and Christmas with a longer break in-between.
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Post by ntsf on Nov 13, 2017 3:33:16 GMT
we are going out of town, so we are probably doing turkey, stuffing and pumpkin pies on monday before thanksgiving.. the essentials. and broccoli, and maybe salad.
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Post by mcscrapper on Nov 13, 2017 3:43:17 GMT
OH!!! I forgot.... I use the Pioneer Woman's turkey brine to do my turkey breast. I can cut that recipe in half since I'm just doing a smoked breast. When I put the bird on the smoker, I put a drip pan underneath it with apple juice, onions, apples, carrots and peppercorns. It is, hands down, the best turkey we have ever eaten!!! Plus, we sit outside and have spiked cider while we smoke it that morning.
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Post by chirpingcricket on Nov 13, 2017 4:18:41 GMT
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, and I usually go all-out with a traditional turkey dinner.
However, last year my sister couldn't make it, and my daughter couldn't make it, either, and none of our regular guests were around for it. I made the traditional feast and it was for just me, my husband, and my son, and it was kind of a downer.
This year, my sister can't make it again. Daughter can't make it again. No guests. Just the three of us.
My son reminded me how unhappy I was last year, and he suggested we do something different and save the traditional feast for Christmas when everyone will be here. He's going to bring a smoked turkey from work. I've asked my husband to make collard greens, and I'll make potato salad and banana pudding for dessert. It's a barbecue! So much more informal. I have my fingers crossed that it'll all work out!
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