Thanksgiving recipes???

[Barrett]

Hey everyone,

I am hosting Thanksgiving at my house for the first time and I am already getting nervous. I need ideas for side dishes!! I am cooking for 24 people...hows that for a first timer?? I am trying out all kinds of dishes on my husband now so I can perfect how to make them by the big day. My husband loves being a Thanksgiving guinea pig since this is his favorite holiday.

We have so many cultures on Globalpaw and I thought it would be neat to try all kinds of different recipes and traditions. What are your favorite recipes?? What traditions does your families share during the holidays?

Barrett

[MazieDog]

Ooh, that sounds like fun! Can I come too? LOL

I usually like the typical turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, yams, corn, cranberry sauce, stuffing, ham, etc... Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because I get to eat all the food I like and then make turkey sandwiches for the next week or two.

One thing we do instead of making a pie is making something called "Banana Pudding" .. Let's see if I can remember how we made it.. LOL

Ingredients:
Vanilla Wafers
A box (or two) of instant vanilla or banana flavored pudding
A tub (or two) of whipped cream
Bananas

Directions:
In a large bowl, start with a layer of pudding then top it with wafers.. Put some bananas over that and then the whipped cream.. Keep doing that (pudding -> wafers -> bananas -> whipped cream) until the bowl is full.. (whipped cream should be the final layer).. Then take about 10 - 15 wafers, put them in a plastic bag and crush them.. (kids love doing this... ) And then sprinkle the crushed cookies over the top.. cover it with plastic wrap and put it in the fridge... Serve with dinner or do what I do... Wait til everyone is taking their after-dinner nap and hoard the thing all to myself! Mmmm!

Enjoy!

[c0_re]

Originally Posted by Barrett

Hey everyone,

I am hosting Thanksgiving at my house for the first time and I am already getting nervous. I need ideas for side dishes!! I am cooking for 24 people...hows that for a first timer?? I am trying out all kinds of dishes on my husband now so I can perfect how to make them by the big day. My husband loves being a Thanksgiving guinea pig since this is his favorite holiday.

We have so many cultures on Globalpaw and I thought it would be neat to try all kinds of different recipes and traditions. What are your favorite recipes?? What traditions does your families share during the holidays?

Barrett

24 people you must be a sado masocist! All I can say is I hope you have enough wine and beer. I'm taking everyone(all 4 of us) out for turkey day I don't want to spend all night and the next day wrapping left over and cleaning dishes. Good luck!

PS....Do you know anyone with one of those portable convection ovens you can borrow swapping stuff in and out of one stove is really a PITA

[Kuchi]

If you like sweet potatoes, mash them and add a little lemon and orange (clementine) zest to them and of course some butter, cinnamon, and nutmeg as well.

[Pearlulm]

My suggestion would be to go to www.foodnetwork.com they have everything you need to know there. The receipes are also rated by difficulty. I love to cook and entertain and use their site often (Alot of times just for dinner ideas.) Just remember...don't stress. It is supposed to be fun! Best wishes!

[bigdoglover]

Oh Barrett.....I know how you feel! I did that...ONCE. lol

www.cookingvillage.com is good as well. I don't cook (at least, not often enough to know anything) so that's kinda where I get my stuff. Also, I bet Novel could really help you out....she loves to cook for the holidays!

[Barrett]

Justin, We tried the banana pudding and it was Yummy!!!!! Thanks for the recipe! That is going to be an all year round favorite. Thanks for the website guys! They are very helpful. I have been cooking a different side dish each night to test out. So far my favorites are Broccoli and cheese casserole, Wild rice pilaf crockpot recipe, and Cheese scallped corn.

[MazieDog]

Glad you liked the banana pudding! I'm starting to crave it now.. LOL... We have it on Turkey Day, Christmas, Easter, and... well, pretty much whenever we crave it... Mmm!

[calgal]

We do a simple traditional Thanksgiving with turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potatoes, corn on the cob, home made cranberry sauce, fresh green beans, home made rolls, zuchinni bread and pumpkin pies.
Here is one way to make sweet potatoes so interesting and so very delicious!!

UPSIDE-DOWN SWEET POTATOES

3 pounds sweet potatoes
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup marshmallows
1 cup coconut flakes (I buy this in the can. It's fresh and very tasty)

Bake potatoes in their skins, peel and place in a medium mixing bowl. Mash with butter, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon. Stir to blend well. Butter a 1 1/2-quart baking dish. Line the bottome and up the sides with the marshmallows, then sprinkle with coconut. Spoon potatoes over coconut

TOPPING

1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup pecan pieces

In a small saucepan melt butter and stir in brown sugar. Sprinkle pecans over the top of potatoes and pour sugar mixture over all.
Bake at 350 degree for 10 to 15 minutes, until hot and bubbly.
Yield: 8 to 10 servings

A really yummy desert is a real southern dish called;

FRESH APPLE BETTY

6 to 8 fresh apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoon flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup oatmeal
1/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1/4 cup butter
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

In a large bowl combine the apples, sugar, water, flour, and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon. Spoon into a 9-inch square baking dish.
In a small bowl combine the oatmeal, brown sugar, butter, and remaining cinnamon and spoon over apples. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes, or until fruit is tender and topping is crusty.
Delicious topped with ice cream or with whipped cream.
Yield: 8 servings.

[Barrett]

Ooooh My husband is going to make the upside down sweet potatoes tonight and I get to try them when I get home from work! He rarely cooks unless it involves a grill and a lawn chair so this is exciting for me to be the tester...I mean taster! I'll try the apple Betty on my next day off. I forgot about Pumpkin and zuchinni bread! Mmmmmmm!

[IceyBlueSibes]

My favorite is always having pumpkin pie... Mmmmm! My grandma makes an Impossible Pumpkin Pie (no crust).

Follow your usual recipe for a pumpkin pie, but add 1/2 cup of Bisquick (or any biscuit making mix) and 1/4 cup of orange juice. It is SOOO good, and if you have any people who are finicky about crust.. this is a great recipe!

[IceyBlueSibes]

I just tried a really great recipe the other day. They're called "Pumpkin bars" but is pretty much a pumpkin cake.



Pumpkin Bars



Prep time: 35 minutes Bake: 25 minutes

Makes: 48 bars

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 4 beaten eggs
• 1 15-ounce can pumpkin
• 1 cup cooking oil
• 1/2 recipe Cream Cheese Frosting (following this recipe).

1.) In a large bowl stir together the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, and cloves. Stir in the eggs, pumpkin and oil until combined. Spread in an ungreased 15x10x1-inch baking pan.

2.) Bake in a 350º (F) oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until a wooden toothpick (or butter knife) inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 2 hours on a wire rack. Spread with cream cheese frosting. Cut into bars.



Cream Cheese Frosting

• 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 5 3/4 to 6 1/4 cups sifted powdered sugar <-- I used only about 3-4 cups and it was SUPER sweet already so you can use your judgment on this.

1.) Beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Gradually add 2 cups of powdered sugar, beating well. Gradually beat in additional powdered sugar to reach spreading consistency. Cover and store any left over frosting in the fridge.

SO good. My brother had the idea of using cool whip/whip cream for it too. It tastes just like a pumpkin pie, only as a cake.

My dad has been bugging me for the past week to make another one, so I've go to go get at it. LOL Hope someone tries this and enjoys it as much as my family did!

[Jamila]

Here's some for ya to try if ya want

Pumpkin Biscuits

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp. allspice
1/3 cup butter, cold
3/4 cup pureed pumpkin (cooked or canned)
3/4 cup milk

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Sift flour into mixing bowl. Stir in remaining dry ingredients. Cut in butter with a pastry blender until mixture is crumbly. Stir in pumpkin and milk to form a soft dough.

Roll out on floured surface to1/2-inch thickness. Cut out biscuits with biscuit cutter. Place on greased baking sheet. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes.

Makes 24 to 30 biscuits, depending on dough texture and cutter size.


Sweet Potato Casserole

3 lb. sweet potatoes (about 5 large)
4 oz. (1/2 of 8-oz. pkg.) Cream Cheese, softened
3 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
2 cups Post Selects Cranberry Almond Crunch Cereal, crushed
2 Tbsp. butter, melted
1-1/2 cups Miniature Marshmallows

Preheat oven to 325°F. Place sweet potatoes on microwaveable plate. Microwave on High 8 min. Turn potatoes over; continue microwaving 9 to 10 min. or until very tender. Let stand 5 min. Cut potatoes in half lengthwise. Scoop pulp into large bowl; discard skins.
add cream cheese, brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg to potato pulp. Mash with potato masher to desired consistency. Spoon into 9-inch square glass baking dish.
Mix cereal and butter in medium bowl until well blended. Stir in marshmallows. Sprinkle evenly over potato mixture.
Bake 30 to 35 min. or until topping is golden brown and mixture is heated through.

I like alot of the stuff off of kraftfoods.com they have easy but tastey recipes.

[flyndog]

Along with sweet potato casserole, my favorite side dish is
Green Bean Casserole

2 cans green beans
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 large can french fried onion rings (plain or cheddar flavored)
1/2 cup shredded cheddar (1 cup if you're a real cheese lover)
black pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients, except reserve 1/2 can of onion rings for top. Put into ungreased baking dish. Top with remaining onion rings. Bake at 350 about 1/2 hour or until hot & bubbly.

That recipe doesn't serve 24, though. It would need to be tripled!

[IceyBlueSibes]

OMG I forgot about GB Casserole! SOOO good! My mom makes it every year, and other times through out the year. You definetly have to triple it LOL