First time prepairing Thanksgiving dinner?

Question

Can you help me find good recipes for turkey, side dishes, and deserts?

I used to go to my grandmas for Thanksgiving. But she died in April. I got custody of the two children she was raising. I want to plan a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner for them. Do you think you can help me? Do you know of any good websights or books?

Answer 1

last thanksgiving was my first time preparing thanksgiving dinner and i found a lot of wonderful recipes from paula deen on foodnetwork. of course at the time it was what they were showing the few weeks before thanksgiving and i also bought her magazine. my familys best food memory of thanksgiving last year was the pineapple upside down biscuits , also a paula deen recipe! ive listed it below for you. good luck and so sorry that you lost your grandma! best wishes to you and yours this holiday season!

Pineapple Upside-Down Biscuits Recipe

1 (10-ounce) can crushed pineapple
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, at room temperature
10 maraschino cherries
1 (12-ounce) package refrigerated buttermilk biscuits (10 count)

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Grease 10 cups of a muffin tin. Strain the can of crushed pineapple, save juice for later. Combine the pineapple, sugar, and butter, and mix well. Divide the pineapple mixture among the muffin cups. Place a cherry in the center of each muffin cup, making sure cherry hits bottom of cup. Place 1 biscuit in each cup on top of sugar and pineapple mixture. Spoon 1 teaspoon reserved pineapple juice over each biscuit. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until golden. Cool for 2 minutes. Invert the pan onto a plate to release the biscuits. Serve warm.

Answer 2

Fun! No matter what happens, cooking Thanksgiving is always an adventure...but it doesn't have to be a scary one!

Go to Food Network.com to use their food calculators; one tells you what size turkey to buy for the amount of guests you'll have, the other tells you how long it will cook. Also, the butcher at the meat department can help you out. It's his job! Ask as many questions as he has answers for! I've found some really good tips out this way.

Purchase the turkey frozen at least 4 days before and thaw depending on size of turkey...generally 3 days in the refrigerator!

I always prep the pies the day before and the chopped veggies either the day before or two days before. Don't worry about taking shortcuts either! Use packaged gravy and stuffing, it'll help with the timing of it all. I would even consider packaged mashed potatoes for your first time at Thanksgiving.

Above all, remember that even though it's stressful, it really isn't about the food, it's about family. So if the meal flops, laugh about it with the kids and enjoy a great meal at someone else's expense. (ie: Grocery Store Deli, Denny's...etc.) Good Luck!

Answer 3

If you have no experience with cooking turkey, I suggest you buy the cooking bags to roast your turkey in. You just take out your innereds, wash and pat dry, throw salt and pepper in with a tbsp. of flour and follow cooking time directions and ignore till its time. Buy a packaged gravy and mix in the juices from the turkey after its cooked for better flavor. Mashed potatoes are easy, and pick a easy veggie, like peas or something. Stuffing is easy too, follow the box recipe, Mrs. Culbertson's, I think it is is the best. You can always throw in some of your own bread too for more of a homemade taste. Anything you can make the day before, like the potatoes, and stuffing, I would, just warm up, as the timing is the hardest part of a lovely meal. Good luck. I forgot dessert; pies are a must of course. Buy a frozen ready made crust and Libbys pumpkin pie is always easy to follow. Or just buy one at a local dinner.

Answer 4

In addition to the recipes mentioned above, I'd recommend checking out the Thanksgiving issues of magazines that ought to be coming out soon...I'd look for Martha Stewart's magazine, Southern Living, Good Housekeeping, etc. and you'll find wonderful recipes and decorating tips for making this Thanksgiving dinner fabulous. Good luck!

Answer 5

Sit down and make a list such as:

Turkey (no need to stuff the turkey if you don't want to).
Dressing (Stove Top Dressing in a box is easy to make).
Gravy (make it, or buy it in a jar).
Sweet potatoes (maybe - S&W canned is good).
Vegetable.
Cranberry sauce (comes in a can).
Black olives/green olives (comes in jars and cans).
Deviled eggs (maybe)
Pie (buy a frozen pie and defrost the day before).
Milk/tea/water.

Work from this list. Most everything except the turkey can be made the day before.

Most of all, have fun. Don't forget to turn on the Macy's parade for the kids.

Answer 6

I don't have the best recipes but I do know you should write out a schedule as what to cook when. It is just easier that way.

I just put my turkey in the turkey tin plate cover it with seasonings and chicken brothe and wrap tight in aluminum foil to keep the juice in. Follow the instructions for cooking time per pound.
Usually buy a honey baked ham pre-made
green bean caserole
-4 cans green beans- whichevr style u like, drained
-2 cans cream of mushroom soup
-french's onion chips (save half for topper)
mix together- bake for about 10 minutes on 375 then cover with onion chips
I like to make brownies with 2 boxes they are thick and yummy. shows alternate recipe on box I like traditional fudge by pillsbury

Answer 7

Rachael Ray did an hour special of her 30 minute meals show. They play it every year (several times) and there are probably at least 2 episodes. In case you don't know, RR takes traditional, often slow cooked recipes and reworks them to cook faster, often times it is just shortcut ingredients like pre cut produce, or smaller quick cook cuts of meat or stovetop prep instead of oven. Another of her important strategies is layering her cooking tasks (a basic skill in itself but she has perfected it) so that everything that takes longest is started first.

Sorry to hear about your loss. I lost my mom this year too so holidays will be hard for me too.

Answer 8

One thing that my mom taught us to do when you cook your turkey to make the skin really yummy is to rub margarine or butter all over it and then put your seasonings on it. That makes the skin so good!

Answer 9

this sounds gross...but when all concocted....it is awesome...everytime i go for dinner and need to bring a dish they always ask for this
vegetable caserole
1 pkg of mixed veggies
8oz of velveta chopped
8ox of hellmans mayo
a few tablespoons of diced onion and celery

cook veggies on stove top...drain...pour into cheesey mayo bowl...mix till cheese starts to melt....pour into caserole dish crumble town house crackers on top.....
and pour all around a few tbls of melted butter...
back till it is toasted on top...cheese has melted and bubbly...usually a half hour at 350...

Answer 10

www.allrecipes.com has a lot of good recipes. You can search by different dishes you want to make and read feedback from other people who have tried them as well.