Thanksgiving Plans

[Kanyon71]

I know it's still early to be thinking about plans for the day but does anyone have any yet? We just found out my wife's family is going to come into town where we live for the week so we are already making plans. Plus my sister and her family will probably come over.

 

Figure for dinner we will make:

 

Smoked Turkey

Ham

Mashed Potatoes

Gravy

Sweet Potato Casserole

Green Beans

Rolls

Stuffing and Dressing (yes North and South versions lol)

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Desserts: Chocolate Pudding Pie, Chess Pie, Pumpkin Pie and possibly an apple pie or cheesecake.

 

We have some plans to take them to some cool places here to see some of the sights.

[rwking75]

My family usually does a huge multifamily TG dinner, about 8-10 families in all. But this year, most of my immediate and part of my extended family are taking a TG cruise so we will have dinner on a cruise ship. This is a 1st for us. 

[Kanyon71]

23 minutes ago, rwking75 said:

My family usually does a huge multifamily TG dinner, about 8-10 families in all. But this year, most of my immediate and part of my extended family are taking a TG cruise so we will have dinner on a cruise ship. This is a 1st for us. 

We have thought about doing either a TG or Christmas cruise. Now that our daughter is getting into our teens it might be a little easier to do Christmas since we wouldn't have to worry about presents and such. Let me know what you think of it and if it's just weird not being somewhere to celebrate the holiday.

[tracy0504]

First, it's never too early to start thinking about Thanksgiving plans... it's almost the middle of September and I already feel behind... I usually make my own dinner and then take a dish/dessert for the potluck dinner with family...nothing is finalized for me but I know I will be making the following at home for sure:

 

*Turkey or Cornish Hens... haven't quite made up my mind about this... usually do Turkey, but now that the kids are out of the house not sure I want to fool with a 12-14 pound bird anymore

*Collard greens

*Sweet potato casserole - two different kinds

*Potato salad

*Mac and Cheese

*Dressing

*Homemade Cranberry Sauce

*Corn bread

*Pound cake - not sure what flavor yet

*Apple crisp or pie - maybe

Cheesecake - possibly

*Sweet Potato Pie

**Ham may be on the menu, not sure yet

 

[ilikefree]

No definite plans yet but we usually go to my sister's house. They live in a bigger town and have the stores we go to for Black Friday. Not that we have to go since you can get things online before then, but it's a tradition we've been doing for close to 25 years.

[Bopeep]

On 9/13/2023 at 8:46 AM, Kanyon71 said:

We have thought about doing either a TG or Christmas cruise. Now that our daughter is getting into our teens it might be a little easier to do Christmas since we wouldn't have to worry about presents and such. Let me know what you think of it and if it's just weird not being somewhere to celebrate the holiday.

I don't think it's weird to not be in a specific place. You will be together and that's what counts

[Kanyon71]

9 hours ago, Bopeep said:

I don't think it's weird to not be in a specific place. You will be together and that's what counts

I mean more along the lines of at a house with a bunch of family which is how we’ve always done it.

[Hubbalance]

We are supposed to fly out to my parents but we don't have airfare yet soooo... idk

[cllehto]

Not many family members near us so we usually just have a small lunch.

[Coastiwife]

Our kitchen is very slowly being remodeled so I’m not sure I will access by Thanksgiving. My Daughter in Law is due with our first grandchild December 14th so I don’t think she will be up to hosting. We will probably go out this year.

[berry1014]

We host every year as we have the bigger house, not sure how many people will be coming yet this year.

Roasted Turkey with giblet gravy 

Homemade Stuffing

Candied yams

Corn

Green Bean Casserole

Steamed Broccoli 

Mashed Potatoes

Canned cranberry sauce and homemade cranberry sauce

Rolls

 

Desserts:

Homemade Apple crumb pie, Pumpkin pie, Sweet Potato Pie

 

Homemade pepperoni bread to snack on earlier in the day while watching parade and football 

[tracy0504]

On 9/13/2023 at 9:46 AM, Kanyon71 said:

We have thought about doing either a TG or Christmas cruise. Now that our daughter is getting into our teens it might be a little easier to do Christmas since we wouldn't have to worry about presents and such. Let me know what you think of it and if it's just weird not being somewhere to celebrate the holiday.

 

Holiday destinations are not weird!!!! Whatever you decide I'm sure you and your family will enjoy it!

[Kanyon71]

16 hours ago, tracy0504 said:

 

Holiday destinations are not weird!!!! Whatever you decide I'm sure you and your family will enjoy it!

It’s not the destination that’s weird to me as we have gone to stay with family in other states. It’s the thought of not having family around as it’s been that way my whole life. I know people do it all the time and to be honest one of these years it might be a less stressful day.

[Bopeep]

3 hours ago, Kanyon71 said:

It’s not the destination that’s weird to me as we have gone to stay with family in other states. It’s the thought of not having family around as it’s been that way my whole life. I know people do it all the time and to be honest one of these years it might be a less stressful day.

I get it. Honestly, it would feel weird to me too. "I have Thanksgiving/Christmas wherever my mama has Thanksgiving/Christmas", kind of thing.

You absolutely get to make your own traditions though, if it's in your comfort zone. If you feel like you're going to regret it maybe plan to leave on your vacation on the 26th. Then you get the best of both worlds.

[Kanyon71]

I really want to try, maybe Christmas on a cruise some year soon. Maybe we can convince some family to go also. Kids are all old enough now where we could convince them to hold off on bigger stuff they get until we return.

[rwking75]

On 9/13/2023 at 9:46 AM, Kanyon71 said:

We have thought about doing either a TG or Christmas cruise. Now that our daughter is getting into our teens it might be a little easier to do Christmas since we wouldn't have to worry about presents and such. Let me know what you think of it and if it's just weird not being somewhere to celebrate the holiday.

Will let you know. It's on Royal Caribbean which we are NOT thrilled about but we didn't make the plans. We usually only cruise on Disney but couldn't convince the rest of the family to cruise with the rodent.

 

Regardless on how this cruise works out, Holiday 2024 is what we're looking forward to. We have 1 of 2 options, we already booked for a TG cruise on Disney but that is up in the air as that my sis-in-law is currently in her last tour and stationed in Germany and has invited us to stay the Xmas holiday with her and her family to enjoy the Xmas markets and vacation spots there. Can't do both, so it'll be 1 or the other.

[tracy0504]

2 hours ago, rwking75 said:

Will let you know. It's on Royal Caribbean which we are NOT thrilled about but we didn't make the plans. We usually only cruise on Disney but couldn't convince the rest of the family to cruise with the rodent.

 

Regardless on how this cruise works out, Holiday 2024 is what we're looking forward to. We have 1 of 2 options, we already booked for a TG cruise on Disney but that is up in the air as that my sis-in-law is currently in her last tour and stationed in Germany and has invited us to stay the Xmas holiday with her and her family to enjoy the Xmas markets and vacation spots there. Can't do both, so it'll be 1 or the other.

 

Soooo not that I have a say in the vacay, but if Disney is something you usually do, I think I would definitely opt for the Germany trip... but that's just me and I'm sure there are other factors to consider (expenses, time away, passports, your love for Disney etc...) otherwise this would be an easier decision for you...

[rwking75]

14 minutes ago, tracy0504 said:

 

Soooo not that I have a say in the vacay, but if Disney is something you usually do, I think I would definitely opt for the Germany trip... but that's just me and I'm sure there are other factors to consider (expenses, time away, passports, your love for Disney etc...) otherwise this would be an easier decision for you...

We cruise Disney a couple times a year. It's the ultimate relaxation for us. But you're right, we do it frequently and Germany is something we've wanted to do for a couple years now. But alot of things to consider including my sis-in-law being in the army and with the global climate the way it is now we have to consider if she will have duties at that time. We have until next summer to cancel the cruise if we think it's safe to goto Germany so we have time.

 

[tracy0504]

On 9/21/2023 at 8:24 AM, Kanyon71 said:

It’s not the destination that’s weird to me as we have gone to stay with family in other states. It’s the thought of not having family around as it’s been that way my whole life. I know people do it all the time and to be honest one of these years it might be a less stressful day.

I get it… I used to be like that as well and couldn’t fathom not spending every holiday with family…  last year I spent last Christmas alone for the first time ever due to the massive snow storm we had that snowed most of my loved ones in… I took my time and made my Christmas dinner and ate it while watching Christmas movies… my children couldn’t get to me for another couple of days, but we spent time together then… I can honestly say it was less stressful as I was the only one I had to get dinner ready for so I could take my time and not worry that everyone was hungry and waiting on me

[Kanyon71]

5 hours ago, tracy0504 said:

I get it… I used to be like that as well and couldn’t fathom not spending every holiday with family…  last year I spent last Christmas alone for the first time ever due to the massive snow storm we had that snowed most of my loved ones in… I took my time and made my Christmas dinner and ate it while watching Christmas movies… my children couldn’t get to me for another couple of days, but we spent time together then… I can honestly say it was less stressful as I was the only one I had to get dinner ready for so I could take my time and not worry that everyone was hungry and waiting on me

Oh I get it, I've spent years with just me on the holidays when I moved out of state and no one around. We have made our dinners less stressful now though. We prep things ahead of time. I throw the meats on the smoker and let em go then carve when needed. We may try it some year, soon enough our daughter will be off to college or want to spend time with her significant others family instead of us I guess.

[wittenlover]

With Dad and I being the only "local" family, he typically refuses to let me cook (though I'd love to - and yes, I've told him this), so we usually go to some restaurant or another for TG. Maybe since I'm in my house now I can convince him to let me finally cook a small TG dinner for us in my "new to me" house/kitchen. 

[setlok73]

Hubby will be out of town for Thanksgiving so its just me and the puppers.  I'll probably just fix a normal meal...maybe a small turkey breast and some stuffing but nothing like normal.

[bluebear]

We always go to my mom's, in the next town over.  There will be 11 of us.  We have Sunday dinner every week, so Thanksgiving is just different food!

Turkey

Dressing

Mashed potatoes 

Egg noodles cooked in broth

Corn

Green beans

Mac and cheese

Pickles and olives

 

After dinner we help with the Christmas decorations.   

 

 

[HanShotFirst]

Just a small Thanksgiving for me.  Parents and sister is it. We will have the usual of ham, homemade Mac & Cheese, fried potatoes, corn and a pan of extra buttery Sister Schubert rolls.  

[stevierocks]

My family is weird .for years, everyone knew thanksgiving will happen , just whose house was the question . It was normally my house or my oldest brothers . We didn’t decide till a couple days before ( as he had to clear it with his wife) he would tell the family , unless it is at your house , it don’t matter where . You’re gonna get in your car and drive to ??  And then come home after . The only one it would matter to was me or him . And there have been years it would be at my house with only a 1-2 day notice . But really , it didn’t matter . I would shop for all the food that close to the day anyhow, and set up the day before either way . ( moving in tables as we had 35 people . It has been getting less and less through the last several years . last year, one of my sisters actually had it at her house . But it wasn’t traditional foods . More like cold cuts and some sides . What really mattered is everyone getting together ! 
.  Thanksgiving has been a day the whole family gets together . It seems that once Covid happened , it gave people excuses to NOT attend .  

[Gator Pam]

Alright. Thanksgiving feast 2023 is complete.

 

The spread 

 

A different angle showing where the crockpot with the stuffing was

 

Individual items:

 

Deviled eggs
Half topped with paprika, half topped with dried dill weed

 

Bird is the word 

 

Mostly carved for service for four, with what’s left kept aside for planned overs

 

Crockpot stuffing

No starch thickener gravy 

 

Homemade cranberry sauce 

 

Green bean casserole

Corn pudding fresh out out of the oven 

 

An interior shot of the corn pudding. I finally made my taller pudding!
I used a 2-quart 8”x8” Corningware casserole. The cooktime took about 90 minutes, due to the deeper casserole, rather than the 35 to 40 minutes for a 9”x13” pan stated in the recipe

 

My dinner plate, minus a slice of pumpkin bread. The person who made it didn’t want individual photos of her contributions (pumpkin bread and pumpkin pie), but you can see the Bundt shaped pumpkin bread in the table long photo of the full spread up top

 

The turkey broken down and packaged for planned overs
Far left: the breast meat which was still on the bird sliced for sandwiches 
Middle: legs, wings, what was left from service, and what I was able to pick off of the carcass
Far right: the carcass broken down and bagged to be frozen until I make my next batch of Instant Pot bone broth 

 

If anyone wants recipes for anything, I’m happy to share.
 

[Gator Pam]

My favorite use of Thanksgiving planned overs. Be forewarned, this is a long one.

Here is the recipe I base my version on in case I didn’t.

 

https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/main-course/turkey/bennigans-monte-cristo-sandwich.html

 

Doctored up Copycat Bennigan’s Monte Cristo Sandwich 

 

I started with the planned over crockpot stuffing.

 

 

I then heated up a thin level of extra light olive oil in a pan

 

 

Whipped an egg and mixed into the stuffing as a binder

 

Shaped the stuffing to be about the same size as the keto sandwich slices and fried it up to help it hold together 

 

 

Almost ready

 

The recipe doesn’t call for it, but I like putting Gulden’s mustard on the ham side and Best Foods mayonnaise on the turkey side 

 

 

American cheese on the ham side and provolone cheese on the turkey side to start. We had some bacon left from Sunday morning, so I decided to add that to the ham side as well 

 

 

Two slices of ham rolled up and split in half on one side, planned over turkey meat on the other. We’re only 3 or 4 typically for Thanksgiving, so I used Boar’s Head sliced ham from the deli. But if one has both planned over turkey and ham, this is a good use for it

 

 

I reversed the cheese I covered each side with, so both sides have a slice of American and a slice of provolone on them

 

 

I put the stuffing patty over the turkey side, as I felt the ham side would be the easier side to flip over without things falling apart and out

 

 

Triple decker assembled

 

 

I had forgotten that the sandwich holds together better if wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and allowed to sit overnight with a weight on top. So, I did it for an hour

 

 

In the refrigerator being pressed for an hour. Overnight would be better

 

 

Egg and water whipped together, salt, sugar, flour, and baking powder 

 

 

to make a thick batter for dipping 

 

 

After the hour under weight in the refrigerator 

 

 

The recipe doesn’t say to cut the sandwich in half before dipping into the batter, but that is my memory of how Bennigan’s did it. So, the toothpicks are placed for two triangular halves

As Kenji says: “Triangles taste better!”

 

 

Pressed, picked, and sliced in half. Ready for batter

 

 

The recipe calls for deep frying, but I don’t have a dedicated deep fryer other than my turkey deep fryer, and I dislike using so much oil in a pan. I have found with gentle handling, shallow frying works fine.

Start by frying the long cut edge of each half

 

 

Continue to flip and cook the edges first. I find this helps prevent items from falling out

 

 

Last of the three edges

 

 

First full side

 

 

Flipped and doing the other side

 

 

Finished in the pan and resting on paper towels 

 

 

The two halves now cut in half and showing the exposed innards

 

 

Plated for service with a dusting of powdered sugar and planned over cranberry sauce for dipping instead of the usual raspberry preserves

 

 

Edited November 29, 2023 by Gator Pam