Titus 2 Homemakers

The Kitchen is the Heart of the Home => The Cook House => : gaggleofseven November 06, 2016, 05:49:57 PM

: Thanksgiving menus - I need inspiration!
: gaggleofseven November 06, 2016, 05:49:57 PM
After preparing Thanksgiving dinner every single year for literally 30 years, I need to change things up some! I will probably have a ham and a turkey breast, but I am ready for some new side dish ideas!

This twice baked potato casserole looks good: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/twice-baked-cheddar-potato-casserole (http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/twice-baked-cheddar-potato-casserole)

Does anyone have some ideas for delicious side dishes? Preferably not too unusual - everyone will expect fairly traditional foods, I'm just trying to work in some new flavors or ingredients.

Thanks!

Blessings,
Jennie
: Re: Thanksgiving menus - I need inspiration!
: pamgonzo November 07, 2016, 07:55:16 AM
Not sure what part of the country you live in Jennie, so I don't know what would be "traditional" to you. I know it can be really different in various parts of the U.S.

We actually do deviled eggs even on Thanksgiving.
Macaroni and cheese - if this is traditional, maybe add some different flavors there

Here is something my Grandma always made - pretty much any holiday dinner, and it our table seems empty if it's not there!

https://www.minuterice.com/en-us/recipes/2725/Mom'sGlorifiedRice.aspx

Good luck! I'm sure your dinner will be amazing!
Pam
: Re: Thanksgiving menus - I need inspiration!
: Rooney November 07, 2016, 11:45:25 AM
Jennie, I usually fix close to the same thing every year too.  I did decide last year to switch regular mashed potatoes out with mashed sweet potatoes.  Those go better with mac and cheese anyway, not so many carbs.  Made them the same way as regular with adding a little milk and pepper and butter. 

I may try a frozen cranberry marshmallow salad this year as something new.  Also want to do some type of different pumpkin dessert recipe (something besides pie).  Not too worried because whatever it is, it will be gone in 10 minutes. ;)
: Re: Thanksgiving menus - I need inspiration!
: 4kidsmom November 07, 2016, 01:04:26 PM
For years and years I ate (and made) green bean casserole with canned french style green beans, canned cream of mushroom soup and French's fried onions.  Then one year about 8 years ago or so, I said I would make green bean casserole for my husband's side of the family's Thanksgiving dinner--and found out that my mother in law didn't like canned green beans and she didn't like cream of mushroom soup either!  I figured there had to be a homemade version so a little Google search presented to me Alton Brown's recipe for green bean casserole.  It was sooo good and it's the only way I make green bean casserole now!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/best-ever-green-bean-casserole-recipe.html.  I use frozen cut green beans instead of fresh, and I don't bother making my own fried onions.  The French's tastes just fine.  But the fresh mushrooms and the nutmeg really elevate the flavor!

The first Christmas DH and I were together (engaged but not married) we went to visit his family in Seattle.  We arrived the day after Christmas (or the 27th) so there were still plenty of Christmas dinner leftovers.  One that I really liked was the dressing/stuffing made with raisin cinnamon bread.  I don't have a recipe for it but you could probably take your usual homemade dressing recipe and substitute different breads for it.  My mom's made cornbread dressing that I really liked too.

Here's another idea for a change-of-pace on pumpkin pie:  https://www.pamperedchef.com/recipe/Desserts/American/Pumpkin+Pie+á+la+Easy/9922

Have fun!

Merilee
: Re: Thanksgiving menus - I need inspiration!
: Alice November 09, 2016, 07:44:19 AM
Thanksgiving has been very traditional my whole life. I know that turkey's are cheap this time of year but I don't know if I am going to do one this year or not. I like having family over but they are all having a lot of health issues but then again, maybe offering to have the dinner at my house would be easier on them. I'll have to think on this.

What I would like to do is turkey pieces--like thighs or legs--and do them in my instant pot. I have done both of these already and then served it with homemade turkey gravy and it was really good. I'm not loving all the white meat from turkey so doing pieces was nice for the two of us.

I have a lot of sweet potato mash and butternut squash mash (freezer) so I might just not do white potatoes this year. We have a lot of green beans also in the freezer. I even have a box or two of stuffing in the cupboard so if I do decide to do a family dinner I have most of the items in the pantry and freezer.

So now I have lots to think about.

Alice
: Re: Thanksgiving menus - I need inspiration!
: gaggleofseven November 12, 2016, 10:24:53 AM
Thanks for all of the great ideas!

DH said last night, "Why don't we have a pot roast and all the fixings?"  ???

Now I've got more to think about!!  :)

I appreciate your ideas!!

Jennie
: Re: Thanksgiving menus - I need inspiration!
: Alice November 12, 2016, 12:32:46 PM
I think that is a wonderful idea!!! I would love that too.

But I did go shopping for some extra. If I don't use what I bought for Thanksgiving then I'll save it for Christmas. I went to Aldi and bought both a ham and a turkey and I got some turkey legs at Horrock's. We'll use all of that between now and the new year. We won't know if any family can come but it would be a blessing if all the People with health issues decided that have a prepared dinner would be a good idea so we'll put the offer on the table.

If we run out of food or don't want turkey or ham we'll just have pot roast too! No one will care, I'm sure.

Alice
: Re: Thanksgiving menus - I need inspiration!
: Rooney November 14, 2016, 11:49:45 AM
Jennie,  I had decided on a roast too.  If it goes over well, may do the same at Christmas (my father-in-law) is picky about meat and likes beef/roast.  Am now thinking mashed sweet potatoes, mac and cheese, green beans, possibly fresh baked bread with butter and am still thinking on the pumkin-y dessert. :)
: Re: Thanksgiving menus - I need inspiration!
: Alice November 14, 2016, 12:01:26 PM
A really good vegetable side is "Frosted Cauliflower". Cook a whole cauliflower and then drain it well. Make a mix of mayonnaise and mustard and frost the cauliflower, then shred some cheddar cheese over top. I put it in the oven or microwave just until the cheese is melted then shake some paprika over the top. For Christmas you could put some cooked green peas around the outside edge of the cauliflower before serving.

It is the most popular dish on the table! This is a big favorite any time of year for my family.

Alice