i need major help with thanks giving dinner!!! experienced cookers please!?

Question

well im 15.
never cooked thanks giving dinner befor!

well my mother left are family friday.
so im stuck cooking dinner for a family of four!

and i have nooo clue what to do!

i know cook the turky
cook the ham
i just dont know how to cook a turky or ham.
or pumpkin pies. i have no clue how to make one of those.


so someone please help!!!

Answer 1

I cook my turkey in a Reynold's oven bag, turkey size. This way you won't have to baste it. It cooks in a lot less time (use a pop up or meat thermo.) and is SO juicy.

Pumpkin pie is easy. Buy pumpkin in a can and pour it into prepared pie shell and bake. Directions are usually on the can. Buy some whipped cream to go with.

Have fun!

Answer 2

It is so easy. Just don't panic. First the turkey. Buy whatever size you want to get. Be sure to buy a pan if you don't have one, they have aluminum ones at the market. The morning of the dinner, cook the turkey; ask the meat man for how long. It truly is a very simple thing to do. Forget the stuffing, or get a box of it and DON'T put it in the turkey. Cook it separately
While the turkey is roasting, peel potatoes, two for each person. (Or buy mashed potatoes mix at store). If doing your own potatoes, cook till tender, drain, mash, put in a dash of salt and pepper and butter. When ready to eat them, reheat them if they are cold. Have only one vegetable that the family likes; don't overdo the meal. You'll only panic. Then the pie. Fun. Buy a pie crust or two. Pans if you need them. Buy a can of pumpkin, read the label for directions, and buy additonal things you don't have for pie, such as spices. Do the pie the night before, so you won't panic.
Truly, truly, it is so easy, but people make it hard by getting scared, etc. Take one step at a time. Go to the store and buy what you can ahead of time. Cranberry sauce is nice, also, and even that is in a can.
Pumpkin pies are so easy to make, it makes me wonder why people buy them. BUT if you are scared to do it, buy one. This isn't about how good you can cook, because it will all be eaten in minutes. It is about being with those you love ane having a good time. Share the work, also. Let the men help, or at least clear the table and help with the clean up.
Have a great day. Relax. Find a good website on cooking a turkey to get detailed instructions, but go slow, and relax.

Answer 3

I'm sorry to hear about your mom but anyways to make pumpkin pie just get the easy make one in a can and then buy a can of evaporated milk along with some graham cracker pie crusts ( all instructions will be on the can of pumpkin pie stuff)

Turkey shoul be 3 1/2 or 3 hours unstuffed
or 3 1/2 to 4 hours stuffed

Ham should be cooked for about 2 hours if its pre cooked and they are the easiest i reccommend buying a pre cooked one cause u r just heating it for 2 hours


i hope i helped good luck

and God bless you and your family have a good thanksgiving

Answer 4

The best thing to do is go to the bookstore and buy a general cookbook.

If you get a butterball turkey, it has a timer built into it which will pop out when it is done. It really has a kind of wax on the inside that melts when the center hits a certain temperature. Once you get a turkey, soak in brine for a day before cooking. Directions are on the back of the bird as to time. Same thing with the ham. Get one pre-cooked so all you have to do is warm it up. As for the pie...get a frozen one. Don't forget to throw a piece of fatback (or bacon) in with you green beans and butter with the corn. Get the biscuits that pop out of the tin. Decorate with dried parsley and grapes etc. Be creative. They bake in mere minutes. Good luck!

Answer 5

I can tell you about the turkey. If you already have one, I assume it is frozen. You can take it out and place it in the refrigerator section so it can thaw slowly. It will take a good three days to thaw. On Wednesday, you can take it out of the plastic and put it in a roasting pan. Take out all the giblets and neck, etc. Make sure there in nothing left in any cavities. Put the turkey back in the refrigerator, and start cooking it on Thursday morning, or estimate the hours before you will be serving it. Check on the label to see how many hours it will need to cook. To get a better, more moist meat, put about two inches of water in the roaster. As for the pies, you would probably be better off getting prepared pie crusts, and make the filling according to the directions on the can of pumpkin. I think if you check the cookbooks for tips, you will be OK. Good luck

Answer 6

Simple Pumpkin Pie

INGREDIENTS:
2 cups pureed pumpkin
2 eggs (beaten)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups brown sugar
1 (12 ounce) can evaporated milk
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
½ teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup butter (melted)
1 pie crust

DIRECTIONS:
In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well. Pour batter into pie crust. Bake in preheated oven at 350F for approximately 60 minutes or until set through.

Topping:
1 pkg cream cheese
1 cup whipped cream
½ cup powdered sugar

Blend all ingredients together and use to top pie.

Answer 7

You are only having 4 people and you want to cook both ham and turkey? that is a lot of food in addition to potatoes, stuffing, squash etc
Turn oven on 325*
Open up the bag. Pull out neck and innards.Rinse the turkey with cool water inside and out. Pat dry with paper towel. Salt the cavity...not alot just a few shakes. Place the bird in the roaster, breast side up. Stuff the bird. Mix 1/4 c flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt. a few shakes of pepper, garlic powder sprinkle over top of bird (this keeps it moist) Cover and place in oven. Depending on weight between 4 and 6 hours. Check to make sure it is brown and a fork slides into leg joint. When it is done. Take out of oven and place and towel over the top of entire pan until you are ready to eat. It will stay warm and not dry out.

Answer 8

Without writing a book it would be hard to tell you everything. I suggest you get a friend with thanksgiving experience.in case you don't have someone that can help.
unwrap turkey and wash inside and outside. The giblets are inside the turkey so pull out the bag or bags. put turkey in pan.season the outside. rub with butter cover with aluminum foil. On the turkey wrapping there will be a temperature and time per pound chart Bake at 350 . if all else fails read a cookbook for instructions.

Answer 9

I second the Publix thing. They have great food and not too expensive. Why kill yourself in the kitchen, when you can have an excellent meal put on the table without being tired out. Thanksgiving is a time for just that giving thanks. Buy what you need, make what you know you can (like a simple salad) and enjoy the time with your family and friends. Nobody is really going to notice if there is good food present along with good company. Enjoy and don't sweat the small stuff.

Answer 10

Your mother left?! Bless your heart!

I think I would skip the ham, and just do turkey. Make it easy on yourself, and no one will miss the ham, I promise!

Perfect Roast Turkey

1 fresh turkey (12 pounds)
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 large bunch of fresh thyme
1 lemon, halved
3 Spanish onions
1 head garlic, halved crosswise
4 tablespoons butter (1/2 stick), melted
1/2 cup good olive oil
8 carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks
10 red new potatoes, halved
3 heads fennel, fronds removed, cut into wedges through the core

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Take the giblets out of the turkey and wash the turkey inside and out. Remove any excess fat and leftover pinfeathers and pat the outside dry. Place the turkey in a large roasting pan. Liberally salt and pepper the inside of the turkey cavity. Stuff the cavity with the thyme, lemon, one of the onions (quartered), and the garlic. Brush the outside of the turkey with the butter and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Tie the legs together with string and tuck the wing tips under the body of the turkey. Peel and slice the remaining onions, toss them with 1/4 cup olive oil, and scatter them around the turkey.

Roast the turkey for 1 hour. Toss the carrots, potatoes, and fennel with 1/4 cup olive oil and add to the roasting pan. Continue to roast for about 1 1/2 hours, or until the juices run clear when you cut between the leg and the thigh. Remove the turkey to a cutting board and cover with aluminum foil; let rest for 20 minutes.

Stir the vegetables and return the pan to the oven. Continue to cook the vegetables while the turkey rests. Slice the turkey and serve on a platter with the roasted vegetables. Serves 8.

--Ina Garten
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Traditional Pumpkin Pie

This is the traditional holiday pumpkin pie. This classic recipe has been on LIBBY'S® Pumpkin labels since 1950. This pie is easy to prepare and even easier to enjoy. Just mix, pour, bake for a delicious homemade tradition.

3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
2 large eggs
1 can (15 oz.) LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
1 can (12 fl. oz.) NESTLÉ® CARNATION® Evaporated Milk
1 unbaked 9-inch (4-cup volume) deep-dish pie shell, or 1 unrolled Pillsbury pie crusts in a pie pan.
Whipped cream (optional)

MIX sugar, cinnamon, salt, ginger and cloves in small bowl. Beat eggs in large bowl. Stir in pumpkin and sugar-spice mixture. Gradually stir in evaporated milk.

POUR into pie shell. BAKE in preheated 425° F oven for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350° F; bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack for 2 hours. Serve immediately or refrigerate. Top with whipped cream before serving.