How to plan a thanksgiving dinner for 2?

Question

OK This thanksgiving is going to be my first time cooking a big meal. For my dad and I. I am going to be doing all the cooking. I have never cooked a turkey. well a whole one. Anyways. I want to know great reicpes, tips, plates, food, ways, the whole 9 yards. Also leave me links if ya want. Thanks!!! Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

I can cook really well. Its a hobby, but I need help on this one.

Answer 1

I'm having a similar problem for myself and my boyfriend. Neither of our families is really doing Thanksgiving. So far I've decided a simple menu will be the easiest to pull off and is traditional for both of us.

I'm finding the recipezaar.com site very helpful. it allows you to adjust the serving sizes and then it recalculates the recipe for you. The recipes are rated and commented on by people who have made them. Also the Martha Stewart info yahoo has been advertising, has a menu planner with a breakdown of what to do each day, recipes, table settings, etc.

This is what I'm doing so far

Turkey Breast - I'm not sure what is available in your location but most places have them. We are getting ours at Costco

Gravy from the turkey drippings

Stuffing - This is easily adjusted for two

Mashed potatoes - about 2lbs of potatoes makes 4 servings. Enough for two and seconds or leftovers. Yukon Gold give the best flavor.

2 Sweet potatoes - I prefer mine baked and sliced in half with just a little cinnamon and butter, since they are naturally sweet on their own

Green Bean Casserole (it isn't Thanksgiving for me without it)

Corn on the cob

Cranberry Sauce - The recipe is on the bag of cranberries

Rolls

Pumpkin Pie

I'll be doing the cranberry sauce and pie the day before. If you are doing a stuffing that does not come from a box or bag you can tear the bread the night before as well. Just about everything else can be done the day of.

Answer 2

The secret to a good tender turkey is to cook it SLOW on a lower heat. Try cooking it at around 250 degrees, you may have to add an hour or two onto the cooking time because you are cooking at a much lower temp. Just make sure you check the temp at the deapest part of the breats 165 degrees. When it is done, make certain you leave it in the bag for at least 45 min to an hour, you should cover it with a towel to prevent cooling to quickly. A lot of times, people will open the bag as soon as they bring it out of the oven, BIG mistake, this is when a turkey becomes 'dry', by letting it cool, a little, you don't lose the moisture content as quickly.

Answer 3

After 11 years of cooking Thanksgiving for 2, here is what I have it down to:

Thanksgiving a.m. or night before: make a pie. Usually pecan.

I get a turkey breast and cook it in the crock pot (in at 11 a.m., usually done around 5 depending on how thawed it is and how large).

When the turkey is nearly done (I check it with a meat thermometer) I start potatoes boiling then prepare green bean casserole and pop it in the oven.

When the turkey is done I use a baster to remove juice from the crock pot, put it in a saucepan on the stove, stir cornstarch in cold water then stir it into the turkey juice and start heating it for gravy. Sometimes I throw in a chicken bouillon cube.

When potatoes are done I drain them and start stove top stuffing (I nuke it).

When the green bean casserole is done I pop in the biscuits, mash the potatoes and yell for my husband to cut up the turkey.

By the time the turkey is sliced I have all pots and dishes ready with serving spoons. We load up plates and go watch football!

Oh yeah - I love that canned cranberry sauce so there's usually a can of that, and sometimes I make jello.

Answer 4

You sound like a great daughter.
The Reynolds bag works great. The turkey takes a day or two to thaw before cooking. Instructions are on the wrapper.
Pumpkin pie cheescake is a great recipe. Check out www.allrecipes.com for Thanksgiving recipes. It is a great site with ratings.
Have a terrific Thanksgiving with your Dad.

Answer 5

2 cornish game hens instead of a turkey. roast them w/ the same holiday spices for a thanksgiving flavor. (it takes a lot less time too!)
sweet potato bake. roast 2 sweet potatoes and 2 bananas (peel on) in the oven. Scoop the soft meat of the potatos and bananas into a bowl. whip w/ honey and butter. place in a casserole dish. top w/ chopped pecans brown sugar and butter crumble. bake again 20mins or so. yummy.
homemade cranberry sauce is always a must.
make a pumpkin cheesecake instead of traditional pumpkin pie.
yummy!!!
you can find these recipes and exact measurements on the food network website.
:D

Answer 6

If it's only for two people, consider roasting a half turkey or turkey breast. If you get a full-sized bird, you could be eating leftovers until 2007!

But seriously.. I don't have recipes handy, but make sure you have reasonable portions. You don't need to feed the neighborhood unless you're having the whole neighborhood over.

Answer 7

Hey -

Since you are cooking for two, I'm sure you will have TONS of turkey leftover. Make some GUMBO---!!!!

Make stock out of the turkey carcass, onion, celery, carrot, garlic & bay leaf.

Make a roux with flour and oil, cook roux until it's the color of a dirty penny. Add in trinity veggies (celery, green pepper, onion). Cook until soft. Add in heated stock that you made, then smoked and/or andouille sausage, and lots of turkey. Serve with white rice and fresh parsley. YUM!

Answer 8

Cook your turkey in a reynolds oven bag (they make turkey size ones) as long as you cook it for the amount of time stated in the pakage, you can't ruin it. You might also do mashed potatos and green bean casserole (recipe on campbellsoup.com) they are both easy and yummy.

Answer 9

Turkey Stuffing Cranberry Sauce Angel Eggs Mashed Potatoes Jello Salad eco-friendly Bean Casserole candy Potatoes Egg Nog Cherry Pie Apple Pie candy Potato Pie And lot's of kinfolk & buddies... :)

Answer 10

There are lots of great tips http://allrecipes.com/
create a free account and have some fun.