Thanksgiving food plans?

[MsSassyBaskets]

So what are everyone's Thanksgiving cooking plans? Do you cook for a big group or just a few? What are your must-haves? Any special food traditions?

DH and I are staying home for the first time. Last year we went to Toronto and didn't celebrate, and in past years we've visited family. I think we're going to roast a duck instead of a turkey, and probably make mashed potatoes and brussels sprouts. I'm not sure about anything else, since I haven't mastered gluten-free pie crust and we're not big dessert people. Maybe I'll get some pumpkin ice cream. We'll see what else I come up with. What are you making?

[SoonerTexan]

My in laws come up and spend it with my family. We play a family vs family football game and they always win. We are adopting another med student an his wife for Tgiving this year and I have already claimed them for my family's side. I plan on making real cranberry sauce and the dressing. And not the cornbread shit. Yeah, I said cornbread stuffing is shit and I live in the south.

[civilspouse]

Since we've moved away from family Thanksgiving is just DH, DS and I. At first this made me sad, but it is kindof nice to have a day to ourselves where we just relax and don't have anywhere to go or anything to do. We always make a huge meal and end up with leftovers for ever. I always have to get a paper and go through the ads for Black Friday. Even if I don't go shopping I still enjoy looking through the ads. When we were back at home my mom and sisters and I would pour through the ads and plan Friday morning. Then after shopping we'd go to breakfast together. I do miss that.

[niener]

And not the cornbread shit. Yeah, I said cornbread stuffing is shit and I live in the south.

Blashphemer!!!!
Random aside: I had no idea there was any other kind of stuffing until just a few years ago. I assumed everyone used cornbread.

Thanksgiving is sort of a non-event for us this year. DH is on call all weekend (Thurs AM-Mon AM) at a hospital over an hour away so I'll probably take the dogs and go spend the day with my dad, who lives about an hour in the opposite direction of where DH will be. If my dad and I decide to cook I'll take DH some leftovers on Friday. Normally I spend the day with my extended family at my great aunt's house but they're a full tank of gas away now so I decided to skip this year since I'll see them 3 weeks later for their Christmas gathering anyway.

[SuzySunshine]

DH is on call and its our year to have it with his family so they are coming here in the hopes that he'll make it home for the meal - should be fun! Not!

We are having turkey, stuffing, yams, cranberries, pumpkin pie, gravy, green beans and wine! Lots and lots of wine!

[GreyhoundsRUs]

DH will be post-call. He doesn't really like turkey, so I think we're going to do crab legs (maybe, if I can find them on sale). I'll make some Red Lobster biscuits (for authenticity, obviously). I told my mom to save her turkey for Christmas when we come since they're going to my aunt's but won a frozen bird.

[bokelley]

It is just going to be dh and I. So we are going out to eat at a fancy restaurant. We are also fostering a dog for a shelter that we volunteer at. It should be fun!

[Cinderella]

I've been looking around for Thanksgiving dinners in town. There is the Oregon Wine country that offers several options at the various estates and then there are the hotels. So far the Hilton sounds the most ideal with their spread for $17 per adult. Some of the estates in the wine country are offering similar gourmet spreads for $25 a person and that's not including the wine of course. I don't think dh would appreciate going to a winery either.

I'd make it at home but I've done Thanksgiving preparations all my life for the family and it's a ton of work. I'd like to go out and be treated for a change. We'll probably not do anything like last year. Dh won't want to spend the money to eat out, and I won't want to cook something up, and no one local invites us over, so there ya have it.

[diggitydot]

I think it will be just the 5 of us, like usual. The little dude has been begging for ham, so we'll likely forgo the turkey this year. The rest of our menu usually includes roasted cauliflower purée with Greek yogurt and chives, stuffing, homemade cranberry sauce, yams, and a green salad.

[ides]

Dd- can you post the recipie for the roasted cauliflower? Sounds yummy!

Dh isn't tied to the thanksgiving tradition since he didn't have it growing up & I'm veggie so we follow our own food tradition. I usually make something like - stuffed shells or lasagna and we have a desert - usually Apple pie or Apple crumb. O asked for chocolate chip cookies so I'll probably add those in too. Then we also buy our favorite goodies to eat during the day that we never have around like cheese puffs and gummies. I often like to splurge on a triple cream brie w/nice bread & fruit too.

[diggitydot]

The cauliflower is pretty easy. Ends up tasting very similar to loaded mashed potatoes without the crazy amount of fat and carbs that come with potatoes, butter, and cream.

I cut a head of cauliflower into bite-sized pieces and spread them on a pan lined with foil, a little olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast until edges are golden brown. I usually do it at 375F for probably 30ish minutes, give or take a few on either side for oven variations.

After it's roasted, I throw it into the food processor and purée, adding a little more salt, pepper, and some Greek yogurt to taste. After the texture and taste seem right, I add chopped chives. Make sure to serve warm. It gets a weird texture if it gets cold

ETA: If you have a potato ricer/food mill, that would probably work REALLY well for keeping the texture light. It can get a little heavy sometimes.

[Curegirl]

Cooking for 8: Turkey, garlic mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts, Rub All Over Your Body stuffing (it's so good you want to rub it all over your body)

[Cinderella]

The first Thanksgiving song I think I've ever seen released for the holiday. It has over 8 million views already.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSBq8...&feature=share

For some reason I'm having trouble today posting pictures and videos on here so you'll have to follow the link to youtube.

[SoonerTexan]

OMG that has to be made by the same company responsible for Rebecca Black.

[poky]

OMG that has to be made by the same company responsible for Rebecca Black.

Yes, yes indeed: http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/nicole...k-thanksgiving