Help! Thanksgiving rookie cooking for 10 ......Need advice quick!?

Question

I am planning my first ever Thanksgiving dinner & if that isn't enough, my boyfriends family will be mixing with mine! I'm from a typical southern family, while my sweetie's are Canadians. I want true southern recipes that they will enjoy as well. Turkey & homemade cornbread dressing are a must! They do a sausage, bread & mushroom that tastes like mush! Please include any dessert ideas you might have besides the standared pumpkin or pecan pie. Can someone help me out?

I am told by all my friends & family that I'm a pretty good southern cook & I have a Paula Dean cookbook that I love - I just can't decide what will please my boyfriend's family since they do eat a lot of the same foods as we do, they just prepare them differently. Any and all advice welcomed as long as it's home cooked.

Answer 1

First things first... make sure you can cook a turkey! Do a practice turkey complete with stuffing. Make it a small one, so you can eat it.... if the turkey is your main dish, it must be delicious! There are a million opinions about how to cook a turkey... pick what sounds good and do it. The slower the better, but not too low a temp or it won't be safe to eat.... and don't open the over too often -- it really does not need to be basted every 15 minutes... it will increase the cooking time dramatically.

Second, make sure you know how to make gravy from the turkey drippings.

I usually buy fresh turkey, which I have to order well ahead of time... but if you want, Butterballs (or brands like that) are always good and have the little pop-up thing. Just don't count on that, always use a timer and thermometer.

Here in new england we must have cranberry sauce to accompany the meal. Some prefer fresh, some canned. Mashed potatoes are a must. Butternut squash is a must. My family/in-laws always fight over the stuffing recipe-- sometimes one goes in the bird and the other is cooked in a corningware in the oven and served on the side.

Have a selection of whatever local sides you like. I'm sure you have some southern squash or sweet potato with marshmallow casserole thing.... Or start your own traditions.

My brother-in-law is from canada and they have their own canadian thanksgiving. You celebrate your own. Have whatever desserts you like! We always have pies with other desserts... must be at least an apple and a pecan and some dessert with chocolate.

Make sure you have enough dishes, utensils, serving dishes, the right table cloth, etc.... my first thanksgiving at my house I had 12 people and I used every single thing I owned in my kitchen that year!!!! Now I have 20-30 depending on the year.... I've accumulated more stuff, but I always lay out all the platters and bowls before the weekend and put sticky notes on them so they are assigned... that way we all know what goes where when the rush is on.

I rent linens and extra tables... then everyone is comfy and I don't have to wash napkins or tableclothes!

We love having sparkling or mulled cider along with the usual drinks.

Definately share the day..... we have people coming from 6 hours away, and everyone brings at least one little thing....

There is sooo much food even if you just had turkey, potato and a vegetable... so don't worry about it. If the canadian side has a "must have" dish, tell them you would love it if they bring it.... then make what you want. Try not to get too stressed over tradition. Heck, last year we had about 30 people and we deep-fried one turkey, roasted another. Then we did a buffet, and it was much more relaxing, if not as formal as usual.

Enjoy the day!!! Let everyone help....

Answer 2

Involves working, but gooooood.

Pumpkin Ice Cream Pie

(Makes 8 servings)

1 can (15 to 16 oz.) pure pumpkin puree
1/4 cup sugar
1-1/2 to 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, depending on how "spicy" a flavor you enjoy
1 quart (4 cups) vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt, softened
1 package (9 ounces) 9-inch prepared graham cracker pie crust
Whipped topping, if desired.

Directions:

Mix the pumpkin, sugar and spice until well blended.
Quickly mix pumpkin mixture with the softened ice cream.
Pour into crumb crust and freeze, uncovered, until firm - a couple of hours.
When pie is frozen, cover with plastic wrap and then cover with freezer-quality foil or place in a freezer bag and squish out the air.
Thaw pie slightly before serving. Top with whipped topping, if desired.

Cook's Tips:

Pumpkin is a good source of beta-carotene, a nutrient that may help reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer and offers possible protection against heart disease.



If you don't have pumpkin pie spice, for EACH TEASPOON of pumpkin pie spice, you can substitute a combination of:

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
Note: If you're missing either the nutmeg OR the cloves, you can increase the amount of the other spice to 1/4 teaspoon.


Use nonfat ice cream or frozen yogurt and fat-free whipped topping for a lighter version.

Answer 3

I remember my first thanksgiving. Make sure the turkey is thawed out and that you have taken out all the guts and stuff. It isn't hard to cook a turkey. Ask your mom or aunt or someone for advice. It just takes organization. Write a list of what you need to buy and of what you are making. It helps if everyone brings something too.

Answer 4

Tyler Florence made these awesome looking baked apples stuffed with cornbread stuffing. He served it with the other white meat, pork roast. Here's the recipe!

Apples:
8 Gala or Golden Delicious apples
1 lemon, juiced
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 or 2 large corn muffins crumbled (1/2 cup), reserve some for sprinkling on apples
1/2 cup golden raisins
6 sage leaves, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup hard cider
1 tablespoon lemon juice


Preheat the oven to 375 degreesTo make the buttered apples: Core the apples with an apple corer, making a good size cavity to hold the stuffing. Douse the cut sides of the apples with some of the lemon juice to prevent them from browning while you make the stuffing. In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, muffin crumbs, raisins, sage, garlic, brown sugar, salt, and pepper. Spoon the stuffing into the cavities of the cored apples; stand them up, side by side, in a baking dish and sprinkle the tops with the reserved muffin crumbs. Pour the cider around the apples and bake for 30 to 35 minutes at 375 degrees F, until soft when pierced with a knife. Place the warm apples in the center of a round serving dish. Spoon the cider sauce around the apples and serve.

They looked awesome! Try them out!

Answer 5

I Absolutely LOVE Paula Dean! That is a great guide but make it your own by adding your own personal touch. I like apples in my stuffing and beer in my turkey to keep it moist. While Thanksgiving is a time of tradition you can modernize a bit too. For a nice drink make a sunrise with orange juice, cranberry juice and ginger ale. Pour each guest's drink individually in that order and don't stir! in a clear glass.

Answer 6

Canadian: buy a package of frozen squash, put in pot with one chopped onion and cook until done. Drain well, mash down with masher until most of the water is gone, put in ovenproof dish mix in two beaten eggs and one to two cups of grated medium cheddar cheese and a tablespoon butter, salt and pepper to taste, bake for 30 minutes, open lid sprinkle a little more grated cheddar on top and bake open until cheese is melted. We don't like squash but this one everybody chows down on.

Answer 7

Ask your boyfriends Mother or whom ever to make a side dish.

allot of people from the north do not like Corn bread stuffing, I tried to make it one year for my family and they protested, I would suggest make both stuffing or ask one of them to make there family recipe so that your family can enjoy some of their traditions.

As for the pecan pie, we add a shot of whiskey and 1 cup of Chocolate chips , the Whiskey cooks off but leaves a nice taste.

Good luck, and breath, it is only a meal, the family's talking and enjoying one another company is far more special.

and most important, make sure you defrost the turkey, I forgot one year, it was not pretty.

Answer 8

Hi!
I hope this will help. I used to write for the Homemaking Cottage and this is an article I wrote for it on thanksgiving. Putting Thanksgiving Together. Sorry the lines are all messed up. And to answer some other questions real quick.. Try a peach cobler for dessert.

Thanksgiving. This word has brought to my mind past
memories of disasters. It starts long before Thanksgiving even
approaches and it is the same thing year after year. Where will
Thanksgiving be, who will pick up so and so, who will do the turkey, who is invited and who is not. The wars begin over who is going to help cook, help clean, and where Christmas will take place. There are however some things you can do to make it peaceful and enjoyable.

Some families that I know look forward to having work off to be a part of the traditions each year.
Some traditions in my family have been to watch the macy's day parade,
eat turkey, football, and we always eat pie. The common traditions are something that you can look forward to and enjoy each year and adds unity to the family. There are many other thanksgiving traditions to think about using. You can start your meal with a thanksgiving prayer or telling each other what your thankful for. One idea could be to get out your magic markers and write what your thankful for on your tablecloth and pull it out the next year to use. This would also be a great day to draw names for christmas exchanges since the day after
thanksgiving people start to shop. One idea to teach your children, is to share on thanksgiving and invite others who might not have anywhere to go. Have open doors to anyone who would like to participate. Just be creative and think of new traditions to use that everyone would love.

Planning the thanksgiving feast in your home you can do so many things to decorate. For an easy and fun centerpiece for the serving table you can hollow out a pumpkin and place a cup inside to hold fall flowers.
At the table, tie your napkins with raffia and tuck in a fall leaf or
cinnamon stick or acorn. Decorate with pumpkins small or big. Use fall colors when thinking about your plates and tablecloths. Another easy centerpiece idea is to find a clear bowl or tray and fill it with leaves, sunflowers, and fruit. Try using lemons and limes, sunflowers, pumpkins, squashes, nuts, pears, and apples. Pile the fruit into the container and insert flowers between the fruit. Insert leaves under fruit around the edge and a few in the center. Or if you want add a pillar candle in the center and then add around it. You can
also light other multiple candles in and around the house to make it smell good and add warmth. If you go to your local dollar store it
might be a great place to find some cheap and cute decorations.

The first thing to do to get started in your planning for the big day
is to find a good time to hold it so everyone can come. Send out
invitations with RSVP so you can plan according. If you are planning on a potluck than you can write on the invitation what you need them to bring. About 3 weeks before send your invitations out and plan the
meal. Then 2 weeks before see who can come and find seating for all.
One week before do most your grocery shopping and remember to buy
ziplock bags for leftover food and ice for cups. Some foods can be prepared a few day before such as vegetable trays and salads. If you
have any recipes that are new try them a week or two before
thanksgiving in case you mess up or it is not very good. The day before bake everything you need to, and clean your home and add any
decorations that you have. Most of all prepare everything you can ahead of time. Make a to do list so nothing is forgotten. The day of thanksgiving get yourself prepared, relax, and invite your guests into your home. Play holiday music and everything will fall into place.

Remember that Thanksgiving is a time to share and thank our Father in
Heaven for everything we have in life to be thankful for. I am so
thankful for my family, my home, my country, freedom, friends,
chocolate, sunsets, the ocean, the restoration of the church, health,
and books just to name a few. Notice that most of them don't cost
money?

Answer 9

Cherry Pie

Answer 10

I would also serve Turnip and creamed onions as Canadians like Them. Take the outer skin off the turnip ,cut it up in chunks and boil in salted water when a fork goes through it drain them and mash them just like potatoes and serve.
You can get the small white onions boil them until tender, after you drain them put about 2cups of milk in a sauce pot add salt and pepper take a 1/4th cup of milk and add flour to it mixing them together,slowly add this to the milk and heat until it thickens, to a sauce add the onions and your all set.