What's for Thanksgiving dinner?

BamaDave · 11-21-2006, 12:58 PM

I actually do a lot of the Thanksgiving meal prep for our family... a mix of the traditional stuff plus some healthier stuff for those who don't want the holiday to be a complete washout. Of course, we're having turkey and dressing. The dressing will not be healthy - LOL - although I will probably make some in a pan outside the turkey that won't be completely juiced up with the turkey fat. Southern sweet potato casserole has become a Thanksgiving staple. I used to make a healthy version along with the traditional (Splenda in place of the added sugar, less butter, etc.), but this is one of those things we make once a year... so I decided to forget the Splenda-lized version and just go for the real thing. It's worth the indulgence! For the past few years, I have been stir-frying fresh or frozen green beans and sprinkling in some sliced almonds. This has been very popular and is a healthy option. Last, I'll also make some fresh cranberry sauce. For that, I do use Splenda... because the only ones in the family who prefer the whole-berry kind versus the congealed stuff that plops out of a can are also the more health-conscious. And I have a request from my daughter for mashed potatoes. She's easy to please! I swear she would live on plain potatoes, rice, and pasta if we let her. She's a budding refined carb addict for sure.

Now that my in-laws live nearby, they'll also be cooking some things in their kitchen. I know they are making a stuffed cabage dish and also possibly stuffed mirlitons (if any of our Louisiana relatives brought mirlitons with them). Mirliton is the South Louisiana name for Chayote Squash. A lot of people in the New Orleans area grow them, as I believe the tropical vines come back from the ground every year. Of course, they'll be stuffed with all kinds of bad stuff!!!

No doubt the house will be filled with various pies, cookies, etc. Definitely time to indulge the sweet tooth!!!

Lost Dog · 11-21-2006, 01:24 PM

I'm making bread with my daughter. Other than that, I'm letting my mom do the damage, this year. Traditional stuff, for dinner. Turkey, taters and gravy, dressing, sweet potatos, green beans, cranberry sauce.

The strangest part (and one of my favorite parts) of our family tradition is the pot of shrimp gumbo that simmers for the day, ready to eat at all times.

and, sweet potato pie!

rookie · 11-21-2006, 01:29 PM

We have all the traditional fixin's. But being the mountain folk we are there will be plenty of bear, venison and moonshine in the mix.

Jason B · 11-21-2006, 07:18 PM

Turkey and brisket this year!! Hey, I'm in Texas, there's gotta be beef. Along with all the usual sides, and my fiancee's awesome pecan pie! What a great time to be bulking!

RacerBill · 11-22-2006, 01:55 PM

My family goes totally traditional -- turkey, stuffing, potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, cranberry sauce, with pumpkin pie for dessert. I think the one oddball thing is my mom's green Jello salad, which my brother-in-law loves.

BamaDave · 11-22-2006, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RacerBill

My family goes totally traditional -- turkey, stuffing, potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, cranberry sauce, with pumpkin pie for dessert. I think the one oddball thing is my mom's green Jello salad, which my brother-in-law loves.

Jello salad!! I think those days are gone for us. Jello salads were my grandmother's annual contribution to Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, but now that she's 96, she doesn't make them anymore.

GG300 · 11-22-2006, 03:19 PM

We will be having turkey, my healthier version of stuffing, sweet potatoes, green beans with pistachios, brussel sprouts caramaliized with onions, cranberries and relishes. Desert is pretty muuch the standard as well with Cranberry Apple Crunch Pie and Pumpkin Pie.