Thanksgiving menus!

[Jorddyn]

For the first time ever, I'm hosting my very own Thanksgiving. As of right now the menu is:

1. Turkey
2. Wine

I'm all for simplicity, but I probably need to start planning. My biggest problem is I really don't want to make plain mashed potatoes or crappy green been casserole (though I did see what looked like an awesome green bean casserole on Good Eats).

What's everyone else making? What recipes can I steal?

[Marl]

my moms standard thanksgiving menu

turkey
mashed potatoes
fresh corn
fresh green beans
homemade stuffung/dressing or w/e you shove in the turkey and cook
homemade rolls
pecan pie
chessecake
corn pudding
applesauce
gravy
cranberry sauce
asparagus casserole
asparagus stalks
for got the aplles and yams!!!
and alot more i cant remember.

[BriarFox]

Fresh cranberry sauce (don't use the crappy canned stuff)
Corn on the cob
Pumpkin pie
Honey ham
stuffed mushrooms
baked fish
roasted apples
roasted chestnuts
candied sweet potatoes (i.e. "yams")

[Latrinsorm]

Make mashed potatoes with scallions - scallions make everything delicious.

Corn is also always good - it's the wonder grain!

[Kuyuk]

Here's my shoestring budget, as I'm unemployed.

I'm cooking for about 6 people. (1 kid and two europeans)

Turkey
Cornbread Stuffing
Red Bliss Mashed Potato
Gravy
Cranberry Relish

Apply Pie
Pumpkin Pie
Chantilly Cream

I figure I can do all of the above for $55.


Prices are guestimates, as I no longer remember how much a pint of whipped cream costs in retail. (3.03 for a quart for restaurant though)

Turkey - $8
Heavy Cream - 3.50

Stuffing:
Sage - 1
Onion - 1
Bacon - 3
Cornbread stuffing mix - 3
Chicken Stock - 1.50
Eggs - 2
total cost of stuffing: 12.50

Mashed Potatoes:
Red Bliss Potatoes: 3
Milk - 2
Butter - 2.50
Roasted Garlic - (I have some already made, but $2)
Total Cost - $9.50

Gravy -
Turkey Jus - 0
Apple Cider - 2
Apples - See apple pie
Total Cost - 2

Cranberry Relish
Cranberries - 5
OJ - 2
Red Onion - 1
Total - 8

Apple Pie
Frozen pie crust - 2.50
Apples (10ish) - 5
Total - 7.50

Pumpkin pie
Frozen Crusts - 2.50
2 cans pumpkin - 2.50
2 can swt condensed milk - 1.50
eggs - 0, already bought some for stuffing
Total - 6.50

Grand Total: 57.50(ish)

Some prices are probably a bit high, but better to err that way than other.

[AMUSED1]

Gumbo.

[Beguiler]

brined turkey/turkey gravy
sage and onion dressing
mashed baby reds with sour cream and scallions
brussel sprouts sauteed with bacon and onion
corn pudding
praline sweet potatoes
homemade biscuits with honey butter
cranberry orange relish
cinnamon apple Jello (hey, the kids love it)
pumpkin cheesecake pie
cherry cobbler
shortbread cookies
.
.
.
Prilosec...

[Androidpk]

Turkey + brine = awesome turkey.

[Hips]

My mom is cooking for roughly 30 people this year (as opposed to the twenty twoish that we usually have) at our house.

2 turkeys, cranberry sauce, cranberry relish, meat stuffing, vegetarian stuffing, corn, cauliflower, peas, AWESOME gravy, pearl onions (barf), croissants, rolls, mashed turnips, my dad's AWESOME garlic mashed potatoes, broccoli casserole, applesauce...

and that's not even including dessert! om nom nom nom!

[Seran]

12 lb. standing rib roast
brined, butter-fed turkey
southern-style dressing, ala bacon & red potato
mashed potatoes, duo of gravies from roast / turkey
green bean casserole
broccoli salad w/ pecans & raisins
chocolate-covered peanut butter balls
fudge
pumpkin pie

[Belnia]

We're doing a Thanksgiving for 8. Since the house is arguing over what kind of meat to serve, and some people keep dietary restrictions (Kosher), we've decided to go for a small turkey AND half a spiral-sliced ham. Those will be the centerpiece of the table.

One of our guests runs a Mediterranean restaurant and has volunteered to make a very interesting sounding curried cornbread stuffing that I'm eager to try.

For stuff on the side:
Mashed potatoes of course.
Since it's Texas, baked potatoes are also required.
A rich ambrosia fruit salad (apples, grapes, oranges and cranberries served chilled in a sweet cream sauce).
Jalapeno cornbread.
Garden variety croissants or dinner rolls or something like that.
Rice pudding threaded with maple syrup.

[LMingrone]

Since I'm not cooking at home, and have to visit three houses that day, I'm making like 300 clams casinos (shell the clams, a quick blend in the blender with peppers, a few spices, stuffing and bacon. Then a little lemon and cocktail sauce on top), and my "banging baked mac and cheese". Everyone else already has the traditional stuff going on.

[LMingrone]

Hah! Was looking up lobster recipes. Cutest kid ever: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWuH9mmhC3Y