Thanksgiving Menus

[AlphaFrog]

What's on your Turkey Day menu? Does your family have any non-traditional foods that ARE a tradition in your family?

My kids and parents are going up to my grandparents' in the Chicago Burbs, so my husband and I invited over a couple from church that has children our age who are off doing missionary work and won't be home for Thanksgiving. I'm putting together a formal sit-down dinner(as opposed to family style pass the plates).

Menu:
Burgandy Duck
Cornbread Dressing
Sweet Potatoes
Green Bean Cassarole (duh)
Biscuits/Rolls

I'm also contemplating trying Ginger Crêpes with Pumpkin Pie filling in lieu of Pumpkin Pie. I think I could make an excellent presentation out of it that would compliment my formal dinner. Would anyone be hugely disappointed to get a pumpkin crêpe, instead of pie?

[SydneyK]

I grew up having cheese grits with Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner, so I always thought it was "traditional." My first Thanksgiving with my hubby taught me otherwise, though. So, now I always take cheese grits whenever we have a holiday dinner with his side of the family.

AlphaFrog, I would most definitely NOT be disappointed with a pumpkin crepe. In fact, I think I'd prefer it.

[IrishLake]

Thanksgiving is the "big" holiday for my mother-in-law's side of the family. Turkey, ham, green beans and broccoli casseroles, mashed potatoes (about 30 lbs worth), sweet potato casserle (my contribution), rolls, desserts, jello salads, etc. The stuff I found unusual or non-traditional (but is a no brainer for them) is oyster casserole and chicken n noodles (homemade by one of the aunts). I pass on the oysters (yuck), but the chicken n noodles has become on of my favorites. Everyone eats it heaped on top of the mashed potatos.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

I'm also contemplating trying Ginger Crêpes with Pumpkin Pie filling in lieu of Pumpkin Pie. I think I could make an excellent presentation out of it that would compliment my formal dinner. Would anyone be hugely disappointed to get a pumpkin crêpe, instead of pie?

I'll be really honest with you -- I'd be hugely disappointed to get anything pumpkin. I simply can't stand pumpkin in any shape or form, and I'm always very bummed when I get to a Thanksgiving dinner and that's the only dessert option. In my experience, pumpkin is one of those foods people either really like or really don't, so I'd suggest you have something in addition to pumpkin (whatever) for dessert, or at least find out in advance if your guests like it.

Meanwhile, as someone who is also not a turkey fan (I know, I know), I heartily endorse the duck idea.

Originally Posted by IrishLake

The stuff I found unusual or non-traditional (but is a no brainer for them) is oyster casserole and chicken n noodles (homemade by one of the aunts). I pass on the oysters (yuck), but the chicken n noodles has become on of my favorites.

In coastal/Eastern NC, oysters -- usually scalloped oysters or oyster dressing -- are about as traditional as one can get for Christmas. When my siblings and I were all married and having to alternate families and holidays, my mother started making them for Thanksgiving as well, so that any of us who wouldn't be at our home for Christmas would still get them. As far as I'm concerned, it's not Christmas without scalloped oysters -- I make them every Christmas now. Heaven.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

I'll be really honest with you -- I'd be hugely disappointed to get anything pumpkin. I simply can't stand pumpkin in any shape or form, and I'm always very bummed when I get to a Thanksgiving dinner and that's the only dessert option. In my experience, pumpkin is one of those foods people either really like or really don't, so I'd suggest you have something in addition to pumpkin (whatever) for dessert, or at least find out in advance if your guests like it.

Meanwhile, as someone who is also not a turkey fan (I know, I know), I heartily endorse the duck idea.

You're like a Thanksgiving killer.

[honeychile]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

I'll be really honest with you -- I'd be hugely disappointed to get anything pumpkin. I simply can't stand pumpkin in any shape or form, and I'm always very bummed when I get to a Thanksgiving dinner and that's the only dessert option. In my experience, pumpkin is one of those foods people either really like or really don't, so I'd suggest you have something in addition to pumpkin (whatever) for dessert, or at least find out in advance if your guests like it.

Meanwhile, as someone who is also not a turkey fan (I know, I know), I heartily endorse the duck idea.

I always make pecan pie, especially since the ones my sil has bought in the past have been much too skimpy on the pecans.

I'm not wild about the turkey, either, unless it's swimming in cranberries!

Originally Posted by Drolefille

You're like a Thanksgiving killer.

The mental picture I got from your remark was awesome!

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

You're like a Thanksgiving killer.

LOL. I actually love Thanksgiving. I just hate dry turkey (which almost all turkey is, though I'll gobble up smoked turkey) and left-over turkey, and I hate pumpkin.

Originally Posted by honeychile

I always make pecan pie, especially since the ones my sil has bought in the past have been much too skimpy on the pecans.

That's what we typically had when I was growing up. (I wasn't the only one in the family who didn't crave pumpkin.) A good pecan pie can't be beat, especially if there's a bit of bourbon in it.

[BraveMaroon]

Here's the thing... turkey is critical, even though I don't love eating it on Thanksgiving Day.

It serves three purposes, though:

1. It's the cooking vessel for the dressing - now, I know - not everyone will eat the stuff that comes out of the bird, but in my opinion it's the best. But, I've found that the Crock Pot works well as a secondary option - the dressing is still really steamy and good, but I didn't have to go elbow deep into a bird to get it.

2. Without the drippings, there would be no gravy. Without gravy, there is no point of even coming to the table. Gravy can be used later in the weekend on hot, open-faced sandwiches.

3. Which brings me to the turkey itself. I could take or leave the actual bird at the formal meal, but nothing, and I mean nothing is as good as turkey sandwiches the next day.

If you are not yet familiar with Durkee's Sauce, you need to get to your store and get some. It's... I can't even describe it - it's like mayonnaise and mustard and Hollandaise sauce had a three-way, made a baby and it was Durkee's. Slap that, and some cranberry sauce, and some turkey on fresh, nutritionally-bereft white bread, and Give Thanks all over again.

As for pie, pecan or chocolate chess, please. Pumpkin is fine, but if you're giving me a choice, it's a 3rd place.

As for dressing - cornbread with sage, rosemary, green onion - and NO CELERY. Cooked celery is the bane of my existence.

We always have pickled peaches (which nobody eats), we always have congealed salad.

And there is always a selection of olives. I don't know why.

After four years of being in charge of Turkey Day, I'm giving the reins back to Dad.

I'll be sitting in front of the fire, listening to Alice's Restaurant Massacree.

And dreaming of gravy.

[Shellfish]

I'm having dinner with my sister and her boyfriend (of fairly new vintage) and some of his family. They're Italian-American, so apparently there will be some Italian dishes along with the traditional. I won't mind having something different, but it'll take a lot of effort not to roll my eyes whenever she calls spaghetti sauce "gravy." She always has to try too hard like that.

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by Shellfish

I'm having dinner with my sister and her boyfriend (of fairly new vintage) and some of his family. They're Italian-American, so apparently there will be some Italian dishes along with the traditional. I won't mind having something different, but it'll take a lot of effort not to roll my eyes whenever she calls spaghetti sauce "gravy." She always has to try too hard like that.

You mean the spa-ghey-tay sauce?

[AXOrushadvisor]

^^^^Couldn't agree with you more on most of your list. Turkey is not my favorite either, but I do LOVE the stuffing out of the bird. It is so tasty and full of turkey fat and drippings

Love gravy over the stuffing and mash potatoes. Heck I love gravy.

Could walk away from pumpkin pie. I just don't like it. Never have. Pecan pie is a different story. LOVE it.

We always have a relish tray too some family tradition I suppose.

[thetaj]

^^^ That's what we end up eating the whole week after Thanksgiving It's usually just all of the leftovers in a sandwich. Turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, more gravy, green beans, some mac n cheese... Soooo good.

[honeychile]

Doesn't anyone else like cranberries? I don't like the congealed tube out of the can, but I just cannot eat turkey without real cranberry sauce!

Lately, our menu has been:

Turkey Breast
Stuffing balls
In Bird Stuffing
Cornbread Stuffing
Mashed Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes
Green Bean Casserole
Brocolli Casserole
Nasty Congealed Cranberry Sauce
One Serving of Real Cranberry Sauce
Small Congealed Salad
Rolls
Pumpkin Pie
Pecan Pie
Fruit Pie

I am seriously toying with going elsewhere this year, and so far, the Mount Vernon special tours are winning. Close enough for a couple days, far away enough from people I see all too often.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by honeychile

Doesn't anyone else like cranberries? I don't like the congealed tube out of the can, but I just cannot eat turkey without real cranberry sauce!

The gunk out of the can is to cranberries as Tace Bell is to Mexican food. But I love cranberries. We often have a wonderful cranberry/apple crisp (oatmeal and nuts on the top). It's what I always hope there are leftovers of -- it's great warmed up for breakfast.

And yes, I'll admit that I love to make Mama Stamberg's cranberry relish.

I am seriously toying with going elsewhere this year, and so far, the Mount Vernon special tours are winning. Close enough for a couple days, far away enough from people I see all too often.

We did the go-somewhere-completely-different thing last year. I highly recommend it after significant life changes like we've both had in recent years.

[honeychile]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

The gunk out of the can is to cranberries as Tace Bell is to Mexican food. But I love cranberries. We often have a wonderful cranberry/apple crisp (oatmeal and nuts on the top). It's what I always hope there are leftovers of -- it's great warmed up for breakfast.

And yes, I'll admit that I love to make Mama Stamberg's cranberry relish.

We did the go-somewhere-completely-different thing last year. I highly recommend it after significant life changes like we've both had in recent years.

Thanks for the affirmation! I was searching hotels earlier today - maybe it's a sign?

And the cranberry relish sounds awesome!