Americans! Thanksgiving!

cityruss

Hello.

I'm over here in the UK, and as a family we like to do big celebration dinners, you know, Halloween, Easter, birthdays, Christmas, new year, Chinese new year, Diwali, basically anything we can have a food fest about.

One such thing we have never attempted before is a Thanksgiving dinner, and this year I wish to change that.

I've found plenty of menus online, but I'd love to here from some real life Americans as to what they eat, and how I can create a proper authentic Thanksgiving dinner.

Also, please tell me this is a proper authentic Thanksgiving staple..

http://www.nigella.com/recipes/view/sweet-potatoes-with-marshmallows

Thanks.

queenliz99

Cranberry sauce

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/perfect-cranberry-sauce-recipe.html

I love dry brined turkey, it is so succulent.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/dry-brined-turkey-with-classic-herb-butter-recipe.html

zdyb23456

I make a herbed roast turkey breast, stuffing, sweet potato casserole, Campbell's green bean casserole, corn, homemade rolls, cranberry sauce (from the can), and always a homemade pumpkin pie.

The sweet potato casserole was a new tradition added when I moved south - I'd never heard of it or tried it till moving here. It's delicious

If we have guests for dinner then I add mashed potatoes, but my family doesn't really care for them.

cityruss

Thanks guys.

It seems one of the problems I'm up against is the vastness and diversity of the USA, as shown by the sample menus here...

http://www.epicurious.com/recipesmenus/holidays/thanksgiving/menus?pageNumber=2&pagesize=10&offset=10

Just from that one page I see that New England, Midwestern, Mid-Atlantic, Californian, Southwestern, Southern, Pacific Northwest all seem to have their own take on things.

queenliz99

Yep, very regional.

anewday23

Almost everyone has the following menu:
Roasted turkey with stuffing
Mashed potato with turkey gravy
Cranberry sauce (canned usually)
Sweet potatoes (the mini marshmallow recipe is super traditional)
Green bean casserole (Campbell's recipe usually)
Pumpkin pie

Of course everyone does it a bit differently but this is the most traditional American spread.

queenliz99

anewday23 wrote: »

Almost everyone has the following menu:
Roasted turkey with stuffing
Mashed potato with turkey gravy
Cranberry sauce (canned usually)
Sweet potatoes (the mini marshmallow recipe is super traditional)
Green bean casserole (Campbell's recipe usually)
Pumpkin pie

Of course everyone does it a bit differently but this is the most traditional American spread.

I would definitely call this the most national of all.

Francl27

anewday23 wrote: »

Almost everyone has the following menu:
Roasted turkey with stuffing
Mashed potato with turkey gravy
Cranberry sauce (canned usually)
Sweet potatoes (the mini marshmallow recipe is super traditional)
Green bean casserole (Campbell's recipe usually)
Pumpkin pie

Of course everyone does it a bit differently but this is the most traditional American spread.

Yep.

rosebarnalice

I've lived all over the U.S. and so my typical Thanksgiving has multiple regional influences:
-roast turkey (stuffed with onions, garlic, sage and lemon halves)
-smashed roasted potatoes with rosemary (quartered skin-on red or Yukon gold potatoes on the small side smashed but not mashed with no butter or milk added)
--LOTS of turkey gravy with giblets
--whole sweet potatoes sprinkled with cinnamon and nutmeg (can't stand the marshmallow crap, but that's just me!)
--green beans--preferably haricot vert style
--whole cranberry sauce mage with just a dash of sugar and some orange rind
--dressing made with cornbread, celery, sage, lots of black pepper, and canned smoked oysters (drain out the oil)
--pecan and/or mincemeat (no actual meat!) pie. Pumpkin is also very traditional, but we prefer pecan and mincemeat.

bioklutz

anewday23 wrote: »

Almost everyone has the following menu:
Roasted turkey with stuffing
Mashed potato with turkey gravy
Cranberry sauce (canned usually)
Sweet potatoes (the mini marshmallow recipe is super traditional)
Green bean casserole (Campbell's recipe usually)
Pumpkin pie

Of course everyone does it a bit differently but this is the most traditional American spread.

Pretty much what we do. We usually have a bread of some kind to go with it all.

rosebarnalice

Parker house rolls are a traditional bread.

GreenGoddess22

bioklutz wrote: »

anewday23 wrote: »

Almost everyone has the following menu:
Roasted turkey with stuffing
Mashed potato with turkey gravy
Cranberry sauce (canned usually)
Sweet potatoes (the mini marshmallow recipe is super traditional)
Green bean casserole (Campbell's recipe usually)
Pumpkin pie

Of course everyone does it a bit differently but this is the most traditional American spread.

Pretty much what we do. We usually have a bread of some kind to go with it all.

This!

Josalinn

The dish I look forward to ever year is candied sweet potatoes. Which is basically slices of cooked sweet potato caramelized in lots of butter and brown sugar. nommy.

Our Turkey is always dry because my grandma doesn't think it's safe to eat unless it is REALLY cooked

Lounmoun

My family usually has turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, rolls, asparagus, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie. This is scaled down a lot from what my family did growing up.

One thanksgiving when I was younger my family had 8 different kinds of pies- pumpkin, apple and cherry always. We always had had 3-4 vegetable side dishes- mushy green bean casserole, yams with marshmallows and corn were pretty typical. Turkey and ham both. Rolls. Cranberry sauce. Pickles, olives, raw vegetables with dip. Wine. Soda pop.

ilfaith

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.

anewday23 wrote: »

Almost everyone has the following menu:
Roasted turkey with stuffing
Mashed potato with turkey gravy
Cranberry sauce (canned usually)
Sweet potatoes (the mini marshmallow recipe is super traditional)
Green bean casserole (Campbell's recipe usually)
Pumpkin pie

Of course everyone does it a bit differently but this is the most traditional American spread.

This is definitely the typical American menu. But everyone puts their own twist on it. Stuffings vary wildly (my family has served one made with Ritz crackers for as long as I can remember). I rarely serve mashed potatoes (I'll usually do some sort of herb roasted potatoes). Homemade cranberry sauce is super easy (as is orange cranberry relish...which is literally a bag of cranberries, a couple of oranges...peel and all, and sugar, chopped in the food processor...easy peasy). I prefer candied sweet potatoes...sliced, not mashed...without the marshmallow topping...I make mine with orange juice, butter, brown sugar and pumpkin pie spice. Green bean casserole is sort of a guilty pleasure of mine (I had an aunt growing up who made it for every party) but nobody else in my family will touch it...I usually do roasted brussels sprouts (funny, but the first time I ever ate brussels sprouts was at a Thanksgiving dinner in London, when I spent my junior year of college abroad), and/or butternut squash, and maybe some simple steamed green beans or broccoli, for a veggie side. Some years I will make a pumpkin or butternut squash soup to start...depends on how many people we are having and whether I need to add another course to stretch out the bird. I always serve pumpkin pie...but it is something I buy pre-made or ask someone else to bring because I am not a fan. I do make a spectacular apple crisp (possibly my favorite dessert ever), and will share the recipe...

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/pear-apple-and-cranberry-crisp-recipe.html

Justifier

I haven't had many traditional Thanksgivings since I was a kid, but I'll tell you what I remember loving the most.

First off, sweet potatoes with marshmallows are DEFINITELY one of the best things.

Other favorites include:

• Turkey (I like white meat the best)
• Mashed potatoes with butter and gravy
• Cranberry sauce (you can get fancy with this, but I love a simple can-shaped slice)
• Roasted corn on the cob with salt, pepper, and butter
• Stuffing
• Dinner rolls with butter
• A choice between pumpkin, pecan, or apple pie

cityruss

Thanks guys, some great info there. I've sort of come up with a working menu as follows.....

*********

Red Cabbage, Blue Cheese, and Walnut dip

Sweet and Savory Spiced Nuts

Cheddar Cheese and Herbed Twists

**********

Ham Glazed with Spiced Plum Conserve

Roasted Turkey Stuffed with Hazelnut Dressing

**********

Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes

Cornflake, Pecan, and Marshmallow-Topped Sweet Potato Casserole

Green Beans with Toasted Walnuts

Roasted Carrots and Parsnips with Balsamic Thyme Cranberry Sauce

Apple, Sausage, and Parsnip Stuffing with Fresh Sage

Four-Cheese Macaroni

Cranberry sauce/pickles/etc

**********

Sweet Potato-Pecan Cupcakes With Cream Cheese Frosting

Pumpkin-Pecan Cheesecake

Golden Brown Butter and Pecan Praline Tart

rainbowbow

cityruss wrote: »

Thanks guys, some great info there. I've sort of come up with a working menu as follows.....

*********

Red Cabbage, Blue Cheese, and Walnut dip

Sweet and Savory Spiced Nuts

Cheddar Cheese and Herbed Twists

**********

Ham Glazed with Spiced Plum Conserve

Roasted Turkey Stuffed with Hazelnut Dressing

**********

Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes

Cornflake, Pecan, and Marshmallow-Topped Sweet Potato Casserole

Green Beans with Toasted Walnuts

Roasted Carrots and Parsnips with Balsamic Thyme Cranberry Sauce

Apple, Sausage, and Parsnip Stuffing with Fresh Sage

Four-Cheese Macaroni

Cranberry sauce/pickles/etc

**********

Sweet Potato-Pecan Cupcakes With Cream Cheese Frosting

Pumpkin-Pecan Cheesecake

Golden Brown Butter and Pecan Praline Tart

You need more variety of rolls. I prefer the Hawaiian rolls, but buttery biscuits or flakey biscuits will work as well.

EVERY THANKSGIVING WILL HAVE ROLLS!

As i'm originally from the south something that I do to make turkey that always gets "This is the best turkey i've ever had in my entire life ever" and "wow! it's not dry! turkey is usually dry!" is i inject the turkey with marinade.

I use this one, followed by rubbing the bird down with butter/tony's cajun seasoning including inbetween the skin and meat on the breast. I stuff the turkey with apple, oranges, lemons.

I think you need some mashed potatoes as well.

Of course, i always have to suggest someone try my traditional southern peanut butter pie. It's like a peanut butter cheesecake (but not baked) is the best way to describe it.

cityruss

rainbowbow wrote: »

cityruss wrote: »

Thanks guys, some great info there. I've sort of come up with a working menu as follows.....

*********

Red Cabbage, Blue Cheese, and Walnut dip

Sweet and Savory Spiced Nuts

Cheddar Cheese and Herbed Twists

**********

Ham Glazed with Spiced Plum Conserve

Roasted Turkey Stuffed with Hazelnut Dressing

**********

Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes

Cornflake, Pecan, and Marshmallow-Topped Sweet Potato Casserole

Green Beans with Toasted Walnuts

Roasted Carrots and Parsnips with Balsamic Thyme Cranberry Sauce

Apple, Sausage, and Parsnip Stuffing with Fresh Sage

Four-Cheese Macaroni

Cranberry sauce/pickles/etc

**********

Sweet Potato-Pecan Cupcakes With Cream Cheese Frosting

Pumpkin-Pecan Cheesecake

Golden Brown Butter and Pecan Praline Tart

You need more variety of rolls. I prefer the Hawaiian rolls, but buttery biscuits or flakey biscuits will work as well.

EVERY THANKSGIVING WILL HAVE ROLLS!

As i'm originally from the south something that I do to make turkey that always gets "This is the best turkey i've ever had in my entire life ever" and "wow! it's not dry! turkey is usually dry!" is i inject the turkey with marinade.

I use this one, followed by rubbing the bird down with butter/tony's cajun seasoning including inbetween the skin and meat on the breast. I stuff the turkey with apple, oranges, lemons.

I think you need some mashed potatoes as well.

Of course, i always have to suggest someone try my traditional southern peanut butter pie. It's like a peanut butter cheesecake (but not baked) is the best way to describe it.

It's interesting that most of the cheesecakes I've come across are baked ones, I never make baked cheesecakes, always no-bake fridge set ones, I don't know if that's just how we like them or it's more of a UK vs USA type of thing.

I have a recipe for a Peanut Butter Chocolate Banana Bacon Pie from a famous American style bakery in London called The Hummingbird Bakery. I might try that

tmt2003

Your menu sounds great, but it's not thanksgiving without Pumpkin Pie! seriously, even if now one likes it, its always there walk into any grocery store/bakery the week of thanksgiving and there are no less than 500 pumpkin pies loaded on the shelves ready to go for thanksgiving dinner...

StellaRose227

I LOVE Thanksgiving! I spend weeks planning my menu and days cooking.

This year I'll be doing turkey brined in Maker's Mark and maple syrup and wrapped in bacon while roasting, cranberry sauce from scratch with apples and maraschino cherries, cornbread dressing with Conecuh sausage (dressing is like stuffing, but cooked in a separate pan), and mac & cheese from scratch (at DH's request). For dessert I usually do one "traditional" Thanksgiving dessert, usually either pecan or pumpkin based, and one chocolate dessert. This year it will be pecan pie cheesecake and chocolate cake with raspberry mousse filling and almond garnish. I'll also do some other sides. I usually do a corn pudding, squash casserole, and green beans in some fashion. I like mixing up the sides and trying new things, so that part is subject to change. Oh, and I also plan to attempt to make croissants from scratch this year too. I'll be keeping the ingredients for sour cream biscuits on hand in case of a croissant disaster. And I'll probably do a nice olive dip and crackers for early arrivals.

I'm Southern, BTW.

queenliz99

@StellaRose227 , I'll be right over

StellaRose227

@queenliz99, come on over. I'm already cooking for 15 (plus my friends who always stop by for leftovers after their own family dinners), a few more won't make a difference.

queenliz99

StellaRose227 wrote: »

@queenliz99, come on over. I'm already cooking for 15 (plus my friends who always stop by for leftovers after their own family dinners), a few more won't make a difference.

Cool!! I'll bring my bacon baklava!

StellaRose227

queenliz99 wrote: »

StellaRose227 wrote: »

@queenliz99, come on over. I'm already cooking for 15 (plus my friends who always stop by for leftovers after their own family dinners), a few more won't make a difference.

Cool!! I'll bring my bacon baklava!

OMG...I didn't think it was possible to combine two of my most favorite foods, but I think you managed it. Yum!

stealthq

cityruss wrote: »

Thanks guys, some great info there. I've sort of come up with a working menu as follows.....

*********

Red Cabbage, Blue Cheese, and Walnut dip

Sweet and Savory Spiced Nuts

Cheddar Cheese and Herbed Twists

**********

Ham Glazed with Spiced Plum Conserve

Roasted Turkey Stuffed with Hazelnut Dressing

**********

Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes

Cornflake, Pecan, and Marshmallow-Topped Sweet Potato Casserole

Green Beans with Toasted Walnuts

Roasted Carrots and Parsnips with Balsamic Thyme Cranberry Sauce

Apple, Sausage, and Parsnip Stuffing with Fresh Sage

Four-Cheese Macaroni

Cranberry sauce/pickles/etc

**********

Sweet Potato-Pecan Cupcakes With Cream Cheese Frosting

Pumpkin-Pecan Cheesecake

Golden Brown Butter and Pecan Praline Tart

I'd recommend baking the Hazelnut dressing separately as opposed to stuffing the turkey with it. By the time you cook the turkey long enough that the stuffing is safe to eat, the turkey is going to be as dry as a bone even you brine it, etc. Also, if you have the means, rotisserie turkey is the BOMB.

Also +1 that you need pumpkin pie. Or pecan pie, but some kind of fall pie. If, like me, you're not a fan of the cloying sweetness of pecan pie, I highly recommend this recipe: finecooking.com/recipes/chocolate-espresso-pecan-pie.aspx.

ETA: a tart is just not the same

mpat81

Love this thread! Our family will have a cheese platter, shrimp cocktail and stuffed mushrooms to start. Then roast turkey, sausage and apple stuffing, butternut squash, green beans, mashed potatoes with turkey gravy, pumpkin bread, rolls, two flavors of gelatin salad, homemade cranberry sauce and creamed onions. For dessert apple pie, pumpkin pie, cherry cheesecake, coffee and hot cider. Ooohhhh I can't wait!!!

serenityfrye

[quote="Justifier;3t haven't h traditional Thanksgivings since I was a kid, but I'll tell you what I remember loving the most.

First off, sweet potatoes with marshmallows are DEFINITELY one of the best things.

Other favorites include:

• Turkey (I like white meat the best)
• Mashed potatoes with butter and gravy
• Cranberry sauce (you can get fancy with this, but I love a simple can-shaped slice)
• Roasted corn on the cob with salt, pepper, and butter
• Stuffing
• Dinner rolls with butter
• A choice between pumpkin, pecan, or apple pie

[/quote]

So glad to know I'm not the only one who associaTes thanksgiving with can shaped cranberry sauce.

We also always have sparkling cider or grape juice with our meal. I don't think that's traditional, It just signifies "celebration" in our family

justrollme

@cityruss That menu looks spectacular! Especially "Roasted Carrots and Parsnips with Balsamic Thyme Cranberry Sauce," holy smokes.

alias1001

I always have different apps, one new vegetable side, and a unique ddessert, but must have:

Turkey (roasted in a pan on a gas grill) with pan gravy
Cranberry in a can
Garlic mashed potatoes
Stuffing (I need a new recipe) cooked outside the bird
Dinner rolls (I'm buying some from my favorite restaurant this year)

salembambi

A Canadian Thanksgiving must imo is

Nanaimo Bars
Butter Tarts