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sameinitials
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Member since 2/12 1998 total posts
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Thanksgiving - hosting for my first time!
It's never too early to start talking about Thanksgiving, right?
We are hosting for our first time this year - it will likely be 15 or so people, including 2 vegetarians.
I am working on putting together my menu and am freaking out!
Does anyone have any tips or tricks for first-time hosters?
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Posted 9/15/14 1:13 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
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Re: Thanksgiving - hosting for my first time!
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. And the food is one of the biggest reasons for that. So no, never too early, lol.
What is on your menu so far?
I would say do as much in advance as possible and have a written plan/tentative timeline and stick to it as best as possible. Clean first, get everything set up if you can, prep your ingredients, make a few things beforehand... that morning last minute clean up and set up activities and slave away in the kitchen. I keep all of my papers (menu, timeline, recipes) in the same place so I can grab everything easy.
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| Posted 9/15/14 1:25 PM |
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sameinitials
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Member since 2/12 1998 total posts
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Thanksgiving - hosting for my first time!
pre-dinner snacks:
stuffed grape leaves
olives
hummus
veg
pita chips
roasted butternut squash and apple soup with a little curry (i will make this ahead of time and freeze it)
2 turkeys (one smoked, one regular)
gravy (maybe 2 types - regular with caramelized onions, and a vegetarian mushroom gravy)
stuffing with pumpkin challah (will use veg stock and separate it into 2 batches, i will put sausage in one batch)
roasted balsamic pearl onions
green veggies (steamed haricot vert in a mustard vinaigrette, roasted brussel sprouts with orange zest and cranberries, and/or roasted black pepper sugar snap peas)
sweet potato casserole
mashed potatoes (though i might make roasted potatoes instead of mashed so there aren't 2 mushy potatoes)
cranberry-ginger sauce
we will also have a chicken bc my father in law can't have turkey, and might also have salmon because my husband's aunt and cousin insist on having it thanksgiving.
for desserts, some variation of the following:
apple crisp
bourbon pumpkin cheesecake
shortbread
and a bunch of different pies that people will bring (pumpkin, apple, blueberry, raspberry)
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| Posted 9/15/14 1:39 PM |
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sameinitials
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Member since 2/12 1998 total posts
Name:
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Thanksgiving - hosting for my first time!
I will probably use more shortcuts than I would otherwise - buying pre-broken-down squash, peeled pearl onions, etc
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| Posted 9/15/14 1:40 PM |
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MrsT809
LIF Adult
Member since 9/09 12167 total posts
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Thanksgiving - hosting for my first time!
Sounds delicious but it does sound like a lot for 15 people. I'd maybe cut out a few things like taking out one of the veggies (maybe skip the snap peas) and sticking to one gravy. IDK what the vegetarians would use gravy on anyway so not sure there's a need for that. I'm sure you could easily get away with one turkey too. Then again, this is coming from someone who loves to cook but wouldn't dare take on our big family thanksgiving, lol!
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| Posted 9/15/14 2:57 PM |
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alli3131
Peanut is here!!!!!!
Member since 5/09 18388 total posts
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Allison
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Thanksgiving - hosting for my first time!
I would skip the 2 turkeys if you are going to have chicken and fish. One turkey should be fine.
Message edited 9/15/2014 3:29:12 PM.
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| Posted 9/15/14 3:28 PM |
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NYCGirl80
I love my kiddies!
Member since 5/11 10413 total posts
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Re: Thanksgiving - hosting for my first time!
I agree that it sounds like a lot of food for "only" 15 people. And 1 turkey is a lot of work, so I'd skip the 2nd one, especially if you're having chicken and fish.
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| Posted 9/15/14 3:46 PM |
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Re: Thanksgiving - hosting for my first time!
I think your menu looks great and the appetizers and desserts are perfect because almost all of them are no day-of work! so you have that covered.
for the main meal... I agree that you only need 1 turkey if you are adding two other proteins like chicken and fish. Unless they are super small turkeys (that would cook faster than one super large maybe). I don't see a problem with 2 mushy potatoes. We usually do sweet potato casserole and mashed. However you have to prep how you are going to do all the meats and potatoes and stuffings and veggies at the same time. You have to make sure your racks are all in the right places and make that timetable for cooking so you aren't changing the oven temp or opening and closing the door a lot or not be able to cook some of the items you chose.
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| Posted 9/15/14 4:13 PM |
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sameinitials
insert creative comment here
Member since 2/12 1998 total posts
Name:
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Re: Thanksgiving - hosting for my first time!
We would only be making one turkey, my dad would be making the other, so slightly less work here
As for gravy and vegetarians - personally I would put gravy on everything - mashed potatoes, stuffing
I don't really want the salmon but I have a feeling my husbands aunt will insist on it. But a bunch of the ppl coming don't eat fish so I wasn't counting that as a universal protein. And only one person will be eating the chicken.
I think I will skip the sugar snap peas.
I will need to plan out my timing/oven space though. Since the turkey rests for a while I was thinking that I could make the stuffing ahead and reheat in the oven while the turkey rests? Same with the sweet potatoes. The green beans would be stove top. The Brussels I can make ahead or earlier that day too, and reheat in our toaster oven or even the micro.
Does that make sense?
Message edited 9/15/2014 7:17:36 PM.
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| Posted 9/15/14 7:09 PM |
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SweetSarj
LIF Adult
Member since 10/09 1592 total posts
Name:
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Thanksgiving - hosting for my first time!
First time for me too!! Just started researching recipes last night. Total of 17 people including kids. My mom usually does thanksgiving and it's fantastic. No one would know she makes a lot of things ahead and just go in the oven thanksgiving day.
Here are a few I think I'll be doing:
1 turkey a recipe from my mom
Garvey from the turkey drippings
Cranberry orange ginger sauce
Cauliflower potato gratin
Roasted Brussels sprouts
Stuffing, still need to decide exactly what type. With sausage or cornbread etc..
Grilled asparagus
Sweet potato casserole
Maybe add broccoli wild rice casserole
Corny cornbread
Dessert
Caramel apple pie
Caramel swirl cheesecake
Well probably have additional desserts which will be brought by guests.
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| Posted 9/16/14 1:03 PM |
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sameinitials
insert creative comment here
Member since 2/12 1998 total posts
Name:
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Re: Thanksgiving - hosting for my first time!
Posted by SweetSarj
First time for me too!! Just started researching recipes last night. Total of 17 people including kids. My mom usually does thanksgiving and it's fantastic. No one would know she makes a lot of things ahead and just go in the oven thanksgiving day.
Here are a few I think I'll be doing:
1 turkey a recipe from my mom
Garvey from the turkey drippings
Cranberry orange ginger sauce
Cauliflower potato gratin
Roasted Brussels sprouts
Stuffing, still need to decide exactly what type. With sausage or cornbread etc..
Grilled asparagus
Sweet potato casserole
Maybe add broccoli wild rice casserole
Corny cornbread
Dessert
Caramel apple pie
Caramel swirl cheesecake
Well probably have additional desserts which will be brought by guests.
Yum!! I think we will be more like 17, now, too. 
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| Posted 9/16/14 8:20 PM |
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Bamama
LIF Adult
Member since 8/11 991 total posts
Name:
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Re: Thanksgiving - hosting for my first time!
Let me know if you are interested in crock pot recipes for mashed potatoes and stuffing. We do them every year and it saves so much oven space!
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| Posted 9/16/14 10:10 PM |
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sameinitials
insert creative comment here
Member since 2/12 1998 total posts
Name:
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Re: Thanksgiving - hosting for my first time!
Posted by Bamama
Let me know if you are interested in crock pot recipes for mashed potatoes and stuffing. We do them every year and it saves so much oven space!
Sure, the one for the mashed potatoes - not for stuffing, i want the crispy top! Thanks!
ETA: I could theoretically just make my regular mashed potatoes and then keep them in the crock on the warm setting, right?
Message edited 9/17/2014 10:47:00 AM.
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| Posted 9/17/14 10:46 AM |
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Bamama
LIF Adult
Member since 8/11 991 total posts
Name:
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Re: Thanksgiving - hosting for my first time!
Posted by sameinitials
Posted by Bamama
Let me know if you are interested in crock pot recipes for mashed potatoes and stuffing. We do them every year and it saves so much oven space!
Sure, the one for the mashed potatoes - not for stuffing, i want the crispy top! Thanks!
ETA: I could theoretically just make my regular mashed potatoes and then keep them in the crock on the warm setting, right?
They will release more water in the crock, so you should make them drier than you normally would, and you don't want to leave anything on warm for more than 2hrs. For your reference!
Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes
10 lbs eastern potatoes
1 quart half-and-half
1 pound unsalted butter
salt and pepper, to taste
Peel and cube potatoes. Place in large stockpot with 1 gallon salted water overnight.
Replace with fresh water. Boil then simmer until tender, approx 20 minutes.
Drain immediately.
Melt butter.
Add butter and half and half to potatoes and mash.
Add salt and pepper to taste.
Place in greased crock-pot and cook on low up to 4 hours, stirring occasionally. Lower to warm of potatoes start to brown.
Notes:
Fit in lg 6 qt crock pot.
More than enough for 23 people.
The stuffing actually browns and crisps on the sides! And I love the recipe because lets me cheat and use dried herbs instead of fresh. I prep most the night before and just add broth in the am. In case anyone is interested...
Slow Cooker Bread Stuffing
1 1/2 cups butter
3 cups chopped onion
3 cups chopped celery (approx 4 stalks)
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
12 cups dry bread cubes (used 2 bags seasoned)
2 1/4 teaspoons dried sage
1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
3/4 teaspoon dried marjoram
2 1/4 teaspoons salt
3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
4 cups veg, turkey or chicken broth, or as needed
1.Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Cook onion, celery, and parsley in butter, stirring frequently.
2.Spoon cooked vegetables over bread cubes in a very large mixing bowl. Season with poultry seasoning, sage, thyme, marjoram, and salt and pepper. Pour in enough broth to moisten. Transfer mixture to slow cooker, and cover.
3.Cook on High for 45 minutes, then reduce heat to Low, and cook for 4 to 8 hours stirring occasionally. Add broth as needed
Notes:
Plenty for 23 people (also had meat stuffing) with a good amount left-over.
Fit in large 6 qt Crock pot.
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| Posted 9/17/14 12:25 PM |
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