Here is a checklist for you with a few recipes on it as well. Vegan/Vegetarian Thanksgiving
Let me add that these recipes are good even if you aren't vegetarian... feel free to try them. :)
The best advice I got from anybody the first year I made thanksgiving dinner on my own was to do everything I possibly could the day before. Thursday went over much better then I thought it would since I didn't have much to do that day. I make my pies, stuffing, dress my turkey and start on my rolls all the night before. If I could peel my potatoes without them turning brown and yucky I would.
This year I have 4 pies to make! Two pumpkin and two apple. The pumpkin recipe makes two, which is why I'm making two of them, and one of the apple pies is being sent home with my brother to give to his friend that helped me move last week.
I have LOTS to do the night before this year!
Recipes!!
Over the years I have learned that I don't have a lot of friends that like sweet potatoes/yams so I don't often make many of them. I had a request from my brother for them this year though so I am making them special for him...
Yams/sweet potatoes with a twist...
Yams-however many you need to feed your crowd
Pineapple rings- 1 or two cans depending on how many people. (10 slices per can)
1 bag mini marshmallows
Prepare them however you like... I know some people just like butter and some salt in them like mashed potatoes, others like brown sugar added to the mix. I like them with a little brown sugar to sweeten them up.
boil them, mash them and flavor to taste...
Drain your pineapple rings and lay them flat on a baking sheet, spoon your prepared yams onto the center of them then cover with mini marshmallows. If my brother could he'd have more marshmallows then yams on his pineapple rings. Place in the oven for a few minutes until your marshmallows are golden brown, take out and serve.
They are so yummy even my friends who don't usually eat them have to have at least one serving! :)
I tried to find a picture online but I can't so I'll just have to wait and post one on the next blog after I've done my dinner.
Scalloped corn
2 cans creamed corn
3/4c cream
1/2package saltine crackers crushed
Salt & pepper to taste
Stir it all together, it'll be a little on the runny side. Feel free to add more cream or crackers accordingly.
Bake at 350 for 30min.
Super simple and one of my favorites!
It isn't the most appetizing dish to look at, but I promise, when made right it is really good!
Turkey
I don't have any fancy special ways to dress your turkey, season it how ever you like. I usually smear butter all over the top and under the skin, salt, pepper, a few Italian seasonings, some garlic and that's about it, oh and of course filling it full of stuffing! ;)
The real family secret though... After you get it all dressed and ready to go... Put a layer of really good, thick cut bacon over the top of it. It helps hold in the moisture and saves your turkey from being picked at when it comes out of the oven! Everyone is picking the bacon off the top instead of turkey. :)
I love seeing the look on people's faces when they hear that I am/have already covered my turkey in bacon. They all think I'm crazy until they taste the bacon and the turkey. :)
As far as actually baking it goes... I think its 30min for every pound or something like that. Honestly I can never remember. I get it ready every year and let my friend Cade do the rest because I'm usually at work. This year will be the first year I've actually cooked it myself.
We baste it every 30min and to get the juices started I usually just use a can of chicken or vegetable broth. I always buy a few extra cans for that purpose. The turkey has always turned out great, so we're doing something right. ;)
I have been debating posting the family recipe for 'grandma buns.' I have finally decided against it. Mainly because it is kind of a complicated recipe and most people aren't going to be making their own rolls anyway so I will skip it this time around.
Have I forgotten to post anything here? If so leave a comment and I will add more later.
Couple things....
ReplyDeleteFirst a good friend of mine told me that her husband likes to put cranberry soda in their turkey. She said it gives it a cranberry flavor and the carbonation helps keep the turkey really moist... Thought it sounded good and thought I'd add it as a suggestion. :)
Second... Pumpkin pie.... I always buy the can of pumpkin goo that is just plain pumpkin so I can add or exclude any of the regular spices that go along with making pumpkin pie. I always make two... one close to following the recipe on the can, and the other with about a cup or two of vanilla bean ice cream... changes the flavor a bit and no one can figure out why. I really like it. :)
Also, Nilla wafers are yummy to use as a crust.