What are you making for Thanksgiving Dinner?

Question

I'm looking for ideas for Thanksgiving dinner WITHOUT a turkey. I'll be feeding 11 people (7 adults and 4 kids), and 8 of us have eclectic tastes, and 3 have very traditional, meat-and-potatoes tastes. Any ideas?

As far as different tastes, we like the "wierd" stuff like you'd see in Bon Appetit magazine - goat cheese, parsnips, etc. None of us eat fish, and I'm the only vegetarian in the group. I don't mind cooking a meat dish as long as there's plenty of sides for me to eat. The three "normals" like traditional comfort foods such as pot roast, mashed potatoes and gravy, etc.

Answer 1

bacon wrapped scallops and a small ham for the traditional. for kids do mac n cheese lol.

Answer 2

I would make a little bit of everything just so all will have what they want or expect. If they all know your not having any Turkey, then ham is always a good subsititute.

1. Do a traditional type Thanksgiving yet on a smaller scale. That way you can make a variety of dishes for people to choose from.
2. Ask them for ideas of what they are wanting or at least one dish they are looking foward to having on T-day.

I prefer the traditional Thanksgiving day dinner myself. Especially dishes that are only made during the holidays!

Answer 3

Instead of the traditional turkey, you could try duck or even individual Game hens, or any other type of game fowl. Check to see if you could find a Turducken (turkey stuffed with a duck, stuffed with a chicken)http://www.cajunsupermarket.com/product_info.php?products_id=7643&ppce=ZT1OZXhUYWcmbj1Ub255IENoYWNoZXJlJ3MgVHVyRHVjSGVuIFdpdGggQ29ybmJyZWFkIFN0dWZmaW5nIDE1IExCUyZjPTAuMg%3D%3D
Also offer up some bone-in ham and a few of the traditional sides for the picky eaters.

Edit: Not knowing before that you were veg. I apologize for not including ideas for YOU! Absolutely you should be the one to enjoy this dinner the most. Try a pumpkin soup or squash soup! Here is a site with more ideas/recipes http://www.ivu.org/recipes/holiday/ . I haven't tried any of them, but maybe they will spark some ideas. Happy Holidays!

Answer 4

Well, every year, my grandmother makes a lot of things, but they're always the same...

Turkey(except, I'm not too fond of it. It's too dry)
Stuffing (or Dressing)
Potato Salad
Baked Maccoroni and Cheese
Collard Greens
Ham with Pineapples
Rolls
Sweet Potato Pie
Coconut Cake (Though, I hate coconut)
String Beans
Black Eyed Peas

I think that's it. And then she makes her special, homemade Iced Tea. Yummy. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. =]. Yes, we have a VERY large family.

Answer 5

twiced baked potates. make a roast with carrots and stuff and find a recipe to bake some chicken up. green bean casserole. sweet potato pie! have a sushi tray or a fun appetizer for the more eclectic and maybe a meat tray.

im hungry now.

Answer 6

I would go for a Mutton Leg roast with roasted, Potatoes, Parsnips, Butternut squash, Yams etc.
You could do a chicken if you can fit everything in the oven.

Answer 7

Your question just made me even more anxious about eating on Thanksgiving!!! Do you eat ham? I don't but my family cooks a ham, with the lil pineapples and cherries on top. We have homemade stuffing, mac and cheese (a must!), different cakes ranging from red velvet to chocolate, to pound cake...gravy for your stuffing....vegetables (pole beans, mixed peas, greens). Hope this helps a little bit. I CAN'T WAIT!!!

Answer 8

I'm thinking that the traditionally-palated people attending your holiday feast will be disappointed without any turkey.

How about a small turkey breast plus a pork loin, or a roast of beef?

Answer 9

I'm not responsible for the turkey this year - but I will be making an incredible baked macaroni & cheese and a homemade pound cake. I think I just gained a dress size just thinking about it! LOL!

Answer 10

What are eclectic tastes ? And are you vegetarian?
i would love to help and have some recepies at hand so tell me and i'll be sure to try :) <3