Thanksgiving is a not only a day for a special dinner with family and friends, but it is a very different holiday to prepare for. Typically meals on other holidays can be made within a few hours on the same day, but Thanksgiving requires so much more thought, time and preparation. It truly is more than just a meal, it is a celebration of blessings through food and friendship.
What does your menu look like on Thanksgiving? Do you switch it up yearly or stick to the same tried and true dishes? I am such a creature of habit and tradition, that I have specific menus for each holiday and they never change. On Thanksgiving we have Turkey. Christmas we have Roast Prime Rib of beef, Ham for Easter and Mother’s Day is a Leg of Lamb.
I have a free downloadable pdf for all my subscribers with everything you need to prepare for Thanksgiving all starting 4 weeks in advance!
Thanksgiving Day
It all begins by greeting my guests with a beverage and having the appetizers out on the kitchen island. Everyone can mingle and help themselves. I don’t serve too many appetizers. I want my guests to enjoy the feast awaiting in the dining room.
Along with the turkey, I have the same side dishes every year. There is something about seeing the same food that brings back memories of past Thanksgivings. Plus there is a bonus method to my madness… my guests know exactly what they will bring each year! As far as dessert, I like to offer 2 options so everyone can choose what they like.
Besides the food prep, which I love, I also like to come up with unique and different personal touches each year. I think it is really fun to have a menu displayed somewhere where the guests will see it. Place cards at the table are another fun design element that your guests can take home. This is my menu to display this year!
Beverages
Apple Cider Mimosa’s/ Cider Bar
Wine
Water with Lemon
Seltzer
Appetizers
Veggie Tray
Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry
Main Meal
Brined and Roasted Turkey
Grilled Fish
Gravey
Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes
Mema’s Stuffing
Fresh Green Bean Casserole
Jeffrey’s Corn Pudding
Christian’s Sweet Potato Casserole
Hank’s Crescent Rolls with Honey Butter
Cranberry Sauce
Bread and Butter pickles/Black Olive Relish Tray
Dessert
Coffee
Hannah’s Pecan Pie with Fresh Whipped Cream
Molly’s Pumpkin Spice Latte Pudding
Jeffrey’s Corn Pudding
Many year’s ago, we celebrated the holidays with neighbors who have since moved. Jeffrey would bring this dish and everyone looked forward to it. As many times I asked for the recipe he would answer with a resounding no…lol. He finally gave me the recipe when they moved away. I still make it every Thanksgiving and that my kids are grown, they call and ask for it as well. If you need a new recipe, I highly recommend this!
3 15oz cans of sweet corn (or the equivalent of frozen corn thawed)
21 ounces sweetened condensed milk
Mix together in a large baking dish.
3 sleeves of Ritz crackers crumbled
1/3 cup brown sugar
Combine crackers and sugar and sprinkle over top of filling. Bake 25 minutes @ 350
Cook’s Notes:
Don’t overcook….we all tend to do that at times. Plan for what you need per person.
Remember to have water available as a palette cleanser! (add some sliced lemons)
Get as much prep done on Wednesday as you can.
Assign guests to bring a dish.
Wash dishes as you go! This keeps from a counter pile up!
The Essentials:
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