Thanksgiving food cookoff 2023!

[Rukh O'Rorke]

Did not see one of these yet, or am I looking in the wrong places?

Today
Cooking:

• pies
  
• cranberry sauce
  
• tofu

Prepping:

• Marinate brussel sprouts
  
• bread cubes for dryout
  
• cashew cream
• whipped topping attempt?

Thansgiving AM
Cooking:

• Grean beans

Prepping:

• Potatoes
  
• Squash
  
• parsnips

Thansgiving PM
Cooking:

• dressing x2 (reg and gf) 
• green bean casserole
• squash
  
• brussel sprouts
• parsnips
• roast
• tofu reheat
• mashed potatoes
• Mushroom gravy
  

I think that is my list! What's yours?

[NastyWoman]

I am having TG dinner at a friends house and will bring two sides:
1) Cranberry spinach salad
2) Orange glazed cranberry carrots.

Last year they asked for and I brought a green bean dish (I refuse anything to do with bean goop - aka condensed soup based green bean casserole). Actually I brought two different bean dishes and they went over so well I was asked to bring a bean dish again. When I offered to bring an additional side I provided a few options with the above result - no beans after all.

Both dishes will be prepared tomorrow morning. No biggie.

Now to figure out what to wear as we will have dinner outside and it will get chilly toward the end of the dinner...

[Opti]

Nothing. On Tuesday I was thinking of planning a grocery delivery for Tuesday or today ... but a couple small bits of "teeth" crunched out so no attempts at cooking will be made today. Sadly it will be a made by self and eat alone TG but maybe I'll get a hold of sibs in other states.

Now I did buy somethings when picking up my Zpak Tuesday so I have matzoh based stuffing   which turns out to require two eggs so post TG for me to make it. 

For me TG is all about the stuffing. Growing up my mom made homemade stuffing but barely but sage in because apparently my dad did not like sage. I love sage and grew it at my old house. 


But planned TG meal -
Zomick's Challah roll with non dairy "butter"
Amy's vegan pot pie

Choice of B&J non dairy dessert for dessert.

Off the table after the dentist, eating any popcorn until I see an oral surgeon to get a tooth extraction.

[Opti]

P.S. In the spirit of optimism, I am going to plan how I want my 2024 holidays to turn out and see who I can get to share them with me.
Hopefully youngest sis will fly in for one or celebrating my next birthday.

[swamp]

I usually host, but this year I'm going to my brother's. 

I'm bringing mashed potatoes and deviled eggs.  DD is making gluten free stuffing.    
I am also bringing my dad who is bringing the regular stuffing and a ham.  
I may also have to get wine since my sister's flight is delayed and she may not get to the liquor store after her plane lands. . 

[chiver78]

Nov 22, 2023 15:52:17 GMT -5 swamp said:

I usually host, but this year I'm going to my brother's. 

I'm bringing mashed potatoes and deviled eggs.  DD is making gluten free stuffing.    
I am also bringing my dad who is bringing the regular stuffing and a ham.  
I may also have to get wine since my sister's flight is delayed and she may not get to the liquor store after her plane lands. . 

que?      this has to be yet another way that MA is ass-backwards, right? we don't have alcohol sales tomorrow, at all. even in stores that aren't packies but happen to sell alcohol. 

[MarionTh230]

Today we baked the pumpkin pie, hummingbird cake, sweet potatoes, and cornbread.  This evening we will frost the cake and then prep the turkey.

Tomorrow we cook the turkey. 

I'll make the gravy, cornbread dressing, sweet potato casserole, and homemade cloverleaf rolls.
DH will make green bean casserole.
My sibling will make shrimp dip and 7-layer dip.

I will open the cranberry sauce and jiggle it out of the can in all it's can shaped glory before I slice it.  When DH does it he can't get it out of the can right so it doesn't hold it's fabulous can shape!

[bookkeeper]

Thanksgiving and Christmas were two of the most profitable days at the small town liquor store we had in Nebraska!

[chiver78]

I'm not going anywhere tomorrow. well, at least to gather and celebrate the holiday. I'm going to trash my kitchen a little bit, Italian style. I'm not doing anything til tomorrow, but the first thing on tap is to get meatballs simmering in a huge stockpot of red sauce, which I'll be using for everything else later on. I'll set aside the meatballs and freeze until I can hand the container over to Dad when I see him next.     I did swing by Ocean State Job Lot this afternoon to restock my stash of cheap foil pans, that I rely on for any large scale food prep project. 

definitely happening tomorrow - frying eggplant, dipping a fresh baguette in the sauce pot. 
possibly happening tomorrow - veggie lasagna, eggplant parmigiana, homemade chicken tenders (since I'll have the breading stations set up?)

in any event, I'll be making a veggie lasagna this weekend before I portion sauce for freezing. the reason this one's a maybe is that I use the same huge frying pan to cook the veggies prior to building the lasagna. it's actually less likely that this happens tomorrow, as I consider how much nicer the weather is going to be tomorrow than today, and the pups and I will be hitting the canal for sure. 

[bookkeeper]

The younger of our sons is hosting us tomorrow.  I think he has 10 guests or so.  I am tasked to bring the green bean casserole and I picked out mushrooms to stuff as an appetizer.

Our nuclear family will be together for Christmas this year.  I get to do all the cooking for that one.  Our older son and his family will be here for a week.  I have been assembling toddler equipment.

[Opti]

Nov 22, 2023 16:10:40 GMT -5 bookkeeper said:

Thanksgiving and Christmas were two of the most profitable days at the small town liquor store we had in Nebraska!

Hopefully my sis isn't working those days. NJ has blue laws but I'm not sure what her employer does. 

[Opti]

Nov 22, 2023 16:07:11 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

Nov 22, 2023 15:52:17 GMT -5 swamp said:

I usually host, but this year I'm going to my brother's. 

I'm bringing mashed potatoes and deviled eggs.  DD is making gluten free stuffing.    
I am also bringing my dad who is bringing the regular stuffing and a ham.  
I may also have to get wine since my sister's flight is delayed and she may not get to the liquor store after her plane lands. . 

que?      this has to be yet another way that MA is ass-backwards, right? we don't have alcohol sales tomorrow, at all. even in stores that aren't packies but happen to sell alcohol. 

I don't think you can by liquor in NJ either, but ID not know. Have never tried to buy wine or liquor on the actual holiday. I always buy by Wednesday at the latest. 

Grocery stores are open sometimes on TG, but the hours are very short and it is usually packed chaos if you go. At least in my experience/\.

[jerseygirl]

Marion what is hummingbird cake. Sounds ethereal and beautiful

[busymom]

DH baked his favorite pie yesterday, and I baked 2 more pies today.  Before bedtime, we'll have the turkey prepped & ready to go into the oven tomorrow.  (We just pull it out of the fridge on it's tray, and in it goes.  Easy, peasy...)   All of the sides I can put together tomorrow.  DH got stuck working, so we're having our big meal in the evening.

[MarionTh230]

Nov 22, 2023 16:28:17 GMT -5 jerseygirl said:

Marion what is hummingbird cake. Sounds ethereal and beautiful

It sounds much fancier than it really is.  It's a spice cake with bananas, pineapple, and pecans.  Like carrot cake without the carrots and all the other stuff instead.  Most recipes just use cinnamon instead of a spice blend these days so like I said not that fancy really.  Usually cream cheese frosting.

It is very popular in this town and all the bakeries have it.  It is tasty, but I'm a little weird about nuts in cake.  Not necessarily my favorite - depends on my mood.  But, I let DH pick the desserts and he picked it.  It's been more than 30 years since I've made one.  Typically I'd only eat it at work potlucks because at least one person would bring one from the bakery.

Since I didn't have my old recipe I just used the Pioneer Woman's recipe.  It's also only two layers instead of three.  Just makes my life a bit easier.  I also won't bother with decorating the outside with pecans.  

www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a39003872/hummingbird-cake-recipe/

[NoNamePerson]

Just got text from son telling me time and place tomorrow! The two moms are not allowed to bring anything. My DIL and her sister do it all.  They said we did it for years and now just sit back and enjoy. Being good MIL I’m not about to argue.    

[Opti]

Nov 22, 2023 16:47:18 GMT -5 MarionTh230 said:

Nov 22, 2023 16:28:17 GMT -5 jerseygirl said:

Marion what is hummingbird cake. Sounds ethereal and beautiful

It sounds much fancier than it really is.  It's a spice cake with bananas, pineapple, and pecans.  Like carrot cake without the carrots and all the other stuff instead.  Most recipes just use cinnamon instead of a spice blend these days so like I said not that fancy really.  Usually cream cheese frosting.

It is very popular in this town and all the bakeries have it.  It is tasty, but I'm a little weird about nuts in cake.  Not necessarily my favorite - depends on my mood.  But, I let DH pick the desserts and he picked it.  It's been more than 30 years since I've made one.  Typically I'd only eat it at work potlucks because at least one person would bring one from the bakery.

Since I didn't have my old recipe I just used the Pioneer Woman's recipe.  It's also only two layers instead of three.  Just makes my life a bit easier.  I also won't bother with decorating the outside with pecans.  

www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a39003872/hummingbird-cake-recipe/

Are the pecans chopped fine or ? Sounds interesting though.

[countrygirl2]

I'm raising rolls this evening, Rhodes rolls. And I just finished breaking green beans and am cooking them in my new cast iron ceramic dutch oven.  I may pop in that pineapple upside down cake tonight too. 

Tomorrow on the grill, outside, filet mignon, 2 of those, and huge baked potatoes. DD and I split one. I have sour creme, bacon bits, butter, and chopped green onions for them. That's it for us, there will just be the 3 of us. Xmas I will be cooking for either 6 or possibly 10. Wont be bad though. 

[Tennesseer]

Bringing to dinner tomorrow roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon and maple syrup.  Also making pineapple bundt cake for one of the desserts.

[wvugurl26]

I want to make cinnamon rolls tonight for our breakfast tomorrow. It's just us in the morning and early afternoon.

To BIL's tomorrow, squash casserole, Mac and cheese and a cranberry punch with vodka.

Friday to SIL's, 2 dozen homemade rolls and dessert. Still haven't decided what I'm making for dessert. SIL doesn't like pumpkin and they are having pies Thursday.

I need to clean up the kitchen tonight so there is room to work. I should also make the simple syrup and juice the lemons so that's done and I can just mix the cocktail tomorrow.

[NancysSummerSip]

Just two of us:

Turkey breast

Gravy

Cornbread/white/whole wheat stuffing with apple, celery and onion

Baked sweet potatoes with brown sugar/butter topping

Steamed green beans

Homemade cranberry compote for me, jellied canned stuff for DH

Pumpkin pie for DH (I skip dessert after all the other stuff)

[Opti]

For andi and others who need to feed Vegans. 

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Ours is basic: 
DH has put the turkey in the brine bucket, and he'll smoke it tomorrow. 
BIL is bringing ham and rolls. 
DIL is making three pies. 
I (with DD#2's help) will make mashed potatoes; green bean casserole (from scratch; roasted carrots and asparagus.
DH made cranberry sauce already. We've aded bourbon to it this year. 

[Opti]

DH made cranberry sauce already. We've aded bourbon to it this year.


Nice. Will you post the recipe?

[Rukh O'Rorke]

Nov 22, 2023 15:37:01 GMT -5 NastyWoman said:

I am having TG dinner at a friends house and will bring two sides:
1) Cranberry spinach salad
2) Orange glazed cranberry carrots.

Last year they asked for and I brought a green bean dish (I refuse anything to do with bean goop - aka condensed soup based green bean casserole). Actually I brought two different bean dishes and they went over so well I was asked to bring a bean dish again. When I offered to bring an additional side I provided a few options with the above result - no beans after all.

Both dishes will be prepared tomorrow morning. No biggie.

Now to figure out what to wear as we will have dinner outside and it will get chilly toward the end of the dinner...

we stick pretty closely to classic green bean casserole - one of DS favorites - well to the intent of it, or maybe not intent* but spirit? Being vegan and gluten free, I make my own mushroom cream sauce, thankfully whole foods has been providing the french fried onions gf version for a while. A few years I made my own french fried onions. Not hard - but what a mess! and all that extra time too.....

*Since the real intent was to sell campbell's soup!

[Rukh O'Rorke]

Nov 22, 2023 15:23:11 GMT -5 Rukh O'Rorke said:

Today
Cooking:

• pies
  
• cranberry sauce
  
• tofu

Prepping:

• Marinate brussel sprouts
  
• bread cubes for dryout
  
• cashew cream
• whipped topping attempt?

Thansgiving AM
Cooking:

• Grean beans

Prepping:

• Potatoes
  
• Squash
  
• parsnips

Thansgiving PM
Cooking:

• dressing x2 (reg and gf) 
• green bean casserole
• squash
  
• brussel sprouts
• parsnips
• roast
• tofu reheat
• mashed potatoes
• Mushroom gravy
  

I think that is my list! What's yours?

Kind of amazed how little progress I've made while working so hard at it, lol! 8 p.m. - going to have a cup of cranberry tea and rethink my priorities.....

[Rukh O'Rorke]

crap! Totally forgot about mac and cheese, DS' other favorite...

Will have to do for xmas

[Empire the P.A.]

- Crockpot brown sugar pineapple ham
- Penne with pesto sauce
- Sausage stuffing (I doctor up Pepperidge Farm stuffing)
- Brussel sprouts (roasted)
- Parker House rolls (prepping dough tonight)
- Mashed potatoes & gravy
- Mixed vegetables (frozen steamer bags)
- Sweet potato casserole w/pecan streusel topping (prepped today)
- Cranberry jelly
- Marie Callander’s Pecan Pie 

[happyhoix]

SIL is doing thanksgiving on Sunday this year. I’m bringing pecan and pumpkin pie. Also a fruit salad.

A few years ago I found pie dough crust cutters - like cookie cutters but smaller. So I can make leaves in three different sizes and decorate the edge with them. It’s fun.

[Rukh O'Rorke]

Nov 22, 2023 15:52:17 GMT -5 swamp said:

I usually host, but this year I'm going to my brother's. 

I'm bringing mashed potatoes and deviled eggs.  DD is making gluten free stuffing.    
I am also bringing my dad who is bringing the regular stuffing and a ham.  
I may also have to get wine since my sister's flight is delayed and she may not get to the liquor store after her plane lands. . 

Do you know what bread she is using? 

I used to use this:

www.ener-g.com/products/ener-g-classic-white

But this year am using:

shop.schar.com/artisan_baker_white_bread_14.1oz/1100280503.html


Did a test batch 2 weeks ago and seem maybe better than the en r  g. I just picked the schar cuz couldn't find it.