Im starting to plan my Thanksgiving dinner , my husband has been in the Army for 14 years and we havent been able to spend Thanksgiving with our family in 15 years, my husband is currently deployed to Iraq and will be home 4 days before Thanksgiving after doing a 15 month deployment, so his family and mine are coming up to see him and spend thanksgiving with us, they are flying over 2,000 miles to get here and I want to make sure everything is perfect. There will be 18 people here..what size turkey should i get, how many potatos for mashed , candy yams and how many pies should i bake, Im only used to baking for me, my hubby and our son...Im so excited any help would be greatly appreciated!!
2007-09-01 09:45:04 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Food & Drink ➔ Other - Food & Drink
I am so excited for you and your family!! Here's hoping this helps. Also, did you know that you can roast your turkey the day before and then reheat it?
Rule of thumb for meat is 4 oz. per person--but when you buy a turkey you have to consider that it is bone in. So, you could buy a smaller turkey and add a turkey breast. Bottom line--an 18 lb. turkey should do it for you or 14lb plus 5 lb breast.
As for stuffing, don't put it in the bird--make it in separate pans--2 disposable half steam table pans should do it. Which equals about 6 boxes of ready to cook stuffing.
10 lbs. of potatoes should do it for your mashed--you will have left overs.
Giblet gravy--purchase extra turkey parts and some wing pieces so that you can make at least 3 quarts of gravy. Use chicken stock for your liquid.
If you are buying already cooked and canned yams, get 2 of the restaurant sized cans--cook in disposable foil half pans.
Five pounds of fresh green beans--snip the ends with poultry shears and cook them whole--it saves time and they keep a good texture.
4 pies equal 24 slices or 16 generous slices. Some folks are going to want seconds. Here is a solution to help you.
Make a peach cobbler and/or an apple cobbler along with 3 pumpkin pies. Get some good vanilla ice cream for the cobblers.
Do as much as you can the day ahead and if you need to, use coolers full of ice to hold some things so that you have room in your fridge. For instance: Make the giblet gravy ahead, cool and put in Zip bags on ice, snip the green beans and bag, put on ice, make the dressing and bag-then bake the next day. Then, if you decide to roast your turkey the day before, you will have room in your fridge for it overnight. Note: Take it out in the morning, uncover it and let it come to room temp. Recover it and put it in a low oven for at least 3 hours. E-mail me if you have questions.
2007-09-01 10:30:05 · answer #1 · answered by Bromeliad 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I would go with about 30 lb turkey because that would also give you leftovers for later on.
How do I determine the correct size turkey to purchase?
We recommend 1 pound to 1-1/2 pounds of uncooked turkey per person for a whole bird presentation. This will allow enough for the holiday feast and leftovers for the much loved turkey sandwiches.
You will probably need about :
10 lbs potatoes, 4 lbs brussels sprouts, 10 lbs onions, 12 lbs sweet potatoes, 7 1/2 lbs turnips, 2 gals soup, 3lbs butter, 2 loaves stuffing bread, 2 large cans turkey stock, 5 lbs carrots, 4 jars pickles, 5 9-inch pies, 5 dozen rolls or biscuits, 1 lb coffee, 3 gals punch, etc.
Double your recipes because they are usually written for 8-10 people. So if you double your favorite recipes that will work nicely.
I used to go crazy cooking this all on thanksgiving but now i do most of my prep work the day ahead. Like my baking all my pies and breads and even the stuffing (i can heat it the next day in the casserole at the last minute). Doing that leaves more time with your guests.
Also if there are guests that live fairly close maybe they could bring there favorite casserole and that would save you some time also.
I used to cook for large family dinners and parties so I hoped this helps you.
Congratulation on your husband return home. Good luck.
2007-09-01 19:02:03 · answer #2 · answered by Ms. Diamond Girl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Congratulations!
Have you thought about just ordering a package deal from a local restaurant or supermarket? so you have more time with family and less time cooking.
The general rule of thumb is 1/2 pound raw per person.
Howeverm from the website http://www.eatturkey.com/faq/faq.cgi/2/#32 :
How do I determine the correct size turkey to purchase?
We recommend 1 pound to 1-1/2 pounds of uncooked turkey per person for a whole bird presentation. This will allow enough for the holiday feast and leftovers for the much loved turkey sandwiches.
For mashed potatoes, around the house we generally use "2 medium-sized potatoes per person" so that's easily a 10 lb sack for you.
Candied Yams... we use 3 (29 oz) large cans for an 8 x 8 glass dish... you can easily make 9 x 13 for all 18 of you so that's 5 or 6 cans. Fresh, I'd suggest 4 or 5 pounds.
Pies... A 9" pie is about 8 servings... so 3 pies should cover 18 people... but there is no such thing as too much pie... lol.
If you live near a Costco and have a membership, those pies are humongous. Two of those pies will cover your needs easily.
2007-09-01 16:49:33 · answer #3 · answered by Dave C 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I salute you and your familys sacrifice for our country having him serve overseas. The turkey suggestion is right on the mark, and I have used the turkey bags by reynolds sucessfully for a few years now. Very simple and hassle free. as for mashed potatoes, I have cooked them for about 20 folks before and it comes down to about 1lb of raw potatoes per individual, as once you peel them and boil them, mash, etc you are down to around a 8oz serving per person and that is what the folks here in Michigan eat on Turkey day!. Also they heat up excellent with leftovers so anyone hanging around can just nuke a plate and be taken care of, after all the cooking you are going to do for this one meal I think some time with your soldier who's been away is in serious order. Perhaps, they can even keep the son for a night so you two can have a evening alone.
Pies and desserts, I do the 2 each apple *2 dutch and 2 traditional*, cherry, and pumpkin of the Aunt Smiths variety. You can make an additional one of any type if you know for a fact thats a family favorite.
Here's to a fantastic thanksgiving.
2007-09-01 16:59:02 · answer #4 · answered by Ravin 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am so happy for you I think I am gonna cry!
I would roast 2 turkeys. you can do one a day ahead of time and strip the bird and put in a big aluminum roasting pan to have for sandwiches we all demand later.
I like to cook the dressing on the side. I stuffed the bird for years, but found the stuffing to be just as good on the side, and the bird cooks more efficiently that way.
Do you have one of those big 20 quart electric roasting pans? I cook my bird in one of those, and leave the other oven for the sides. Bird cooks a little quicker that way, too. Well worth the 30 bucks. Target/Walmart
I usually cook one potato/person for mash. If you mix it with butter/milk/sour cream ahead of time, it will keep. Go here for the recipe.
http://melindalee.com/recipearchive.html?action=124&item_id=239
You can also search melinda lee's website for a yummy sweet potato recipe.
A pie has 8 slices. Men will want two. figure that way. :)
Bake the pies ahead of time too.
I usually serve the bird on Friday. I do all the prep/desserts on Thursday. Also, the men are free to watch Tgiving football all day without leaving the TV for the table.
Have fun!
2007-09-01 17:15:32 · answer #5 · answered by jjudijo 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Congradulations, I make a 20 pound turkey for 7 people for you may need a couple turkeys and for the potato's I use 10 pounds but there is always some left. I always make Apple and pumpkin pie. I hope this helps you. Good Luck Have a Happy Thanksgiving
2007-09-01 17:14:44 · answer #6 · answered by Gina D 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
get two 20 lb turkeys and then about 5 lbs of potatos mashed, and 3 lbs of sweet potatos and i would make easily 4 pies and divvy some responsibilities out to other family memebers and let them help u get ready for dinner let some of them help u cook so u can spend some time with your hubby too... god bless u and your family and i am glad he is coming home to u and he is a hero to us,....
2007-09-01 20:42:43 · answer #7 · answered by THE UK WILDCAT FAMILY 10 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a few of the ladies to show up the week before
call in a caterer to discuss the / a plan
don't stress yourself or your family
with that many people it should be a snap to get it all together..
Many carerers will give discounts to military families
And work with you to put the whole thing ON....
2007-09-01 16:57:11 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Boy, you will be busy, but I bet it will turn out just fine. One vegetable dish that you might consider, and it's not difficult...is Turnip Puff. It is so delicious! Most of the preparation can be done ahead of time. I always have to double the recipe...everyone is sure to want seconds.
gere
2007-09-01 16:56:35 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
one thing i can tell you is that you should DEFINATELY roast two smaller turkeys than one big one. the reasons are:
a) if you cook one big turkey it gets dried out in an attempt to cook all the way through.
b) there are four drumsticks (no fighting over them) lol
c) less pressure to see if they're done
d) easier carving.
2007-09-01 17:16:57 · answer #10 · answered by chefjordan1 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋