Thanksgiving Recipes

Likely no one needs another Thanksgiving recipe, but here is my menu and my recipes nonetheless. We are hosting this year, there will be 6 of us, 2 vegetarians (well, pescatarians, they eat fish). I will do as much as I can tomorrow afternoon, assuming I get off of work early.

Appetizers

  • Shrimp Cocktail
  • Brie and Crackers
  • Chips and Guacamole – I meant to buy some veggies to dip in the guacamole as well, but I forgot. If we end up going to the store again for some reason, we can get some then.

Wine

I have 3 bottles of wine this year, which is too much for 6 people I suspect, but at least we’re prepared. I have a Cabernet Franc, a Cabernet Sauvignon, and a Chardonnay.

Main Course

  • Turkey – I’m trying a new recipe this year. Why? Why not. 2 of my coworkers swear by this recipe. It has wine and a lot of butter, so I’m sure it will be delicious!
  • Celebration Roast – for the vegetarians
  • Stuffing – I just read back on my post from 2 years ago and Nance left a recipe in the comments for an amazing sounding stuffing, but I forgot about that and have already bought some Stove Top, so I’m going with that. I have some celery and onions in the fridge, maybe I’ll try to dress it up a bit.
  • Mashed Potatoes – I don’t really have a recipe for this, I just cook the potatoes and mash them with butter, milk, and salt and pepper. Anyone got a great idea on how I should change them maybe?
  • Sweet Potato Pudding – We celebrate both US and Canadian Thanksgiving, since my husband was born in Canada. For Canadian Thanksgiving, we have candied yams. For US Thanksgiving, we have this dish, which is a bit more work but not a ton.
  • Cranberry Sauce – I like mine homemade. This one uses a bit less sugar and very little liquid, and I love it.
  • Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms – I saw this on Barefoot Contessa a while ago, and it looks really good.
  • Brussels Sprout, Apple, and Pomegranate salad – Our neighbor brought us some pomegranates, so I may as well make this one, it’s lovely.
  • Dinner rolls
  • Gravy

Dessert

  • Pumpkin Pie – My BIL is bringing this
  • Berry Pie – A neighbor gave us a pie, so why not? (We have great neighbors!)

Do you celebrate Thanksgiving? Any mashed potato tricks for me? I have some sour cream I might add…

12 Comments

  • Melissa

    We don’t celebrate Thanksgiving either, but this menu sounds delicious. I always do mashed potato the same as you so I’m no help, although with everything else you’ve got going on I don’t think you need to trick them up.

  • AC

    Our TG is long over now, but Sue still does the stuffing that she has done for decades. Daughter adds some sort of mashed potatoes but done with cheese or sour cream or something or other. At this point we just do a turkey breast. It is just as expensive as a whole turkey, perhaps more so because of where we have to order it, but Sue has had it with whole turkeys after some disappointments.

  • Tierney

    Oh, this sounds very good. I do like homemade cranberry sauce, but this year we’re having it from the can. Something about those ridges makes it extra yummy. I am intrigued by the Sweet Potato Pudding- do you think I can put mini-marshmallows on top? That’s my favorite part of my current sweet potato casserole. Your menu sounds exceptional and now I’m very hungry. Happy early Thanksgiving!

    • J

      Hmmm. I’m not sure marshmallows would be good on this one…it has a lot of ginger flavor and isn’t as sweet as candied yams. You could try!

  • Margaret

    Mix in some sour cream to the potatoes? I don’t like mashed potatoes (I know, weird!) but I’ve heard of people doing that. I love your varied menu! I’m taking my mom (and John) to my brother’s house where his wife will do most of the cooking. I don’t think I even have to bring anything!

  • Zazzy

    I keep my Thanksgiving quite simple, out of habit really. Our family decided long ago that we’d keep only the things we like best on the menu and not have dozens of sides. Some things I make from scratch, some things I use the simple choice but that is more about health than anything else. Cranberry sauce is particularly fun to tweak. I’ve never made mine with so little liquid and I’m definitely going to try that. Ginger is a really good addition as is horseradish for a more savory dish. I miss creamed onions as we can’t seem to get Aunt Nellie’s onions even online and I don’t have the energy to make them wholly from scratch.

    • J

      My FIL loves peas with creamed pearl onions, but you’re right, we can’t find it and it’s a lot of work. Interesting idea to add ginger to the cranberry sauce!

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