Open Thread – Got any Great Thanksgiving Recipes?
21 November 2009 1:27 pm by djjl
http://blogs.wsj.com/juggle/2009/11/18/countdown-to-thanksgiving-part-1-gathering-holiday-recipes/
My daughter is preparing her first Thanksgiving meal in their new home (The $8,000 tax credit new house – just to throw in a political connection in honor of Taylor’s site). Anybody got some good recipes to share. I’m especially looking for a dressing that is cooked outside the turkey – I’ve never done it that way.
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OUTSIDE OF THE TURKEY!!!!! BLASPHEMY!!!!!
OK, here’s one
Couple of days before make some cornbread, let it sit out and get stale.
2 or 3 toasted Whole Wheat English Muffins
1 lb bulk sausage or if you’re REALLY lucky Venison sausage
Green Pepper
Jalepeno pepper/s
1 Lrg Onion
1 or 2 stalks Celery
Garlic Powder
Sage
salt
pepper
cumin
Walnuts
Crasins
Brandy
The night before put the crazins in a bowel and cover with Brandy.
In a pot simmer the giblets and neck in stock or water with a bullion cube till done. Remove heart, liver and gizzards and coursely chop(remove grisel from gizzard) set aside. Sommer neck till it falls apart and pick all the bones out and toss. Save meat and stock.
In a pan saute the sausage meat…remove the meat.
Chop and saute the onion, peppers(take out the seeds of the Jalepeno if you’re a wussy) and celery till translucent.
Crumble the cornbread and crush or cut up real small or whatever the muffins into a large, LARGE bowel.
Add onions,celery and peppers along with the fat from sausage, sausage,garlic powder, cumin,sage, salt, pepper and crazins with any Brandy not absorbed and mix well with your hands adding the stock with the meat till you have a nice moist mass.
In a deep baking pan lines with HEAVEY guage aluminium foil dump the mixyure and spread out evenly. Bake at moderate heat until done. Halfway through whatever time you think is done brush with melted butter and turn up heat to finish.
I personnaly think the juices from the Turkey are essential to the stuffing so I would take the Turkey and split it either in half or butterfly it by spliting the back and spreading it open over the stuffing and back uncovered untill the Turkey was done.
Use the Giblets to make Gravey with by sauteing in butter, add flour and make a rue, darkness is up to your preferance. Take off heat and add stock or bullion and stir returning to heat till thickened. Salt and pepper to taste and if you want hit it with a little brandy.
Be sure to have LOTS of mashed potatoes to use all that Gravey on!!!
Did you know that the first actual “Thanksgiving Celebration” in the Colonies was a celebration of the Murder of a group of Native Americans who had actually HELPED the Whites survive the previous winter?
Wow, secular, That looks fantastic!
No,we aren’t blaspheming – we’re doing a bread dressing in the turkey and another one outside. She asked me to do the outside one and I have never done one; hence the search for someone who knew a good one.
This newlywed has this menu for her first Thanksgiving dinner:
Turkey – stuffed
cranberry sauce
cranberry sauce 2* from Susan Stamburg’s MIL via 1959 Craig Claiborne
24 hour salad
baked sweet potatoes casserole
green bean casserole*
mashed potatoes*
gravy*
dressing outside the turkey*
* indicates the dishes assigned to me
All of this for 4 adults and a 6 year old – LOL!!!
She is expecting a lot of left overs.
No, sec, I’ve never heard that. Where did you get the story? I’m going to try to find it via google.
Lincoln votes yes to begin health care debate!
Great thread idea, djjl!
Can’t wait to see more recipes.
Me too, Taylor!
How ’bout a green bean casserole now?
I just heard about this recipe listening to NPR this week:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=844268
Mama Stamberg’s Cranberry Relish
2 cups whole raw cranberries, washed
1 small onion
3/4 cup sour cream
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons horseradish from a jar (“red is a bit milder than white”)
Grind the raw berries and onion together. (“I use an old-fashioned meat grinder,” says Stamberg. “I’m sure there’s a setting on the food processor that will give you a chunky grind — not a puree.”)
Add everything else and mix.
Put in a plastic container and freeze.
Early Thanksgiving morning, move it from freezer to refrigerator compartment to thaw. (“It should still have some little icy slivers left.”)
The relish will be thick, creamy, and shocking pink. (“OK, Pepto Bismol pink. It has a tangy taste that cuts through and perks up the turkey and gravy. It’s also good on next-day turkey sandwiches, and with roast beef.”)
Makes 1-1/2 pints.
———————————–
Garlicky Cranberry Chutney
Susan Stamberg calls this recipe “my truly favorite cranberry side dish.” It’s from Madhur Jaffrey’s cookbook East/West Menus for Family and Friends (Harper & Row, 1987).
1-inch piece fresh ginger
3 cloves finely chopped garlic
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
4 tablespoons sugar
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
l-pound can cranberry sauce with berries
1/2 teaspoon salt (or less)
ground black pepper
Cut ginger into paperthin slices, stack them together and cut into really thin slivers.
Combine ginger, garlic, vinegar, sugar and cayenne in a small pot. Bring to a simmer, simmer on medium flame about 15 minutes or until there are about four tablespoons of liquid left.
Add can of cranberry sauce, salt and pepper. Mix and bring to a simmer. Lumps are ok. Simmer on a gentle heat for about 10 minutes.
Cool, store and refrigerate. (“It will keep for several days, if you don’t finish it all after first taste!”)
I have a Sweet Potato Souffle — It is to DIE for — Will post later when I’m downstairs with the recipes…
whitepaw says:
21 November 2009 at 3:33 pm
That sounds yummy.
Here is the Sweet Potato Souffle recipe… It is certainly full of calories, but everyone loves it.. and after all.. who watches their calories on Thanksgiving.
Mix together:
3 cups mashed potatoes or yams
1 cup evaporated milk
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup melted butter (We use salted butter)
2 beaten eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla (pure vanilla is best as opposed to imitation)
Pour into 10 inch round pan (don’t bake yet.. the topping comes next..)
Topping: mix together… will be dry-ish when mixed
1 cup flaked coconut
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup flour
1/4 cup melted butter (we use salted butter)
Sprinkle topping on mashed potato mix.
Bake at 350 degrees for 1hr 15min to 1hr 30min. Test for “doneness” like you would a cake — It is done when you stick a toothpick in and the toothpick is dry when you pull it out.
Also have these cocktail pecans that everyone loves to munch on. This was from Lynn Rosetto Casper several years back (Splendid Table — NPR). We make these at Thanksgiving and typically Christmas / New Year. They are great on salads as well. They are sweet and spicy…
FYI — We have 18 people coming this year… I’ve NEVER had so many! Will be a “2″ turkey dinner… wish us luck. Fortunately my husband loves to cook and makes excellent gravy and pies.. Also have my mom and aunt and cousin helping with side dishes….
Cocktail Pecans:
Mix together:
1 cup sugar
3/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg (this is the key — you have to grate the nutmeg … otherwise it is not as good.. so buy whole nutmeg seeds and grate)
3/4 tsp cumin
3/4 tsp black pepper
3/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp Kosher salt (this is also important… use Kosher salt)
Next, beat 2 large egg whites til frothy
Then.. take 1 pound of pecan halves… mix them with the beaten egg whites to coat. Add the dry ingredients and mix it all up so nuts are coated with the sugar and spice.
Pour coated nuts on a cookie sheet and bake for 1 hour at 325 degrees. Spread them out as best you can. Stir them every 15 min so they don’t all stick together. I have found that sometimes they are done after 45 min… but you just have to check them every 15 min.
These are always a hit –
Thanks whitepaw,
Those look oh so yummy
THE FIRST THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION – JUNE 20, 1676: “The Holy God having by a long and Continual Series of his Afflictive dispensations in and by the present War with the Heathen Natives of this land, written and brought to pass bitter things against his own Covenant people in this wilderness, yet so that we evidently discern that in the midst of his judgments he hath remembered mercy, having remembered his Footstool in the day of his sore displeasure against us for our sins, with many singular Intimations of his Fatherly Compassion, and regard; reserving many of our Towns from Desolation Threatened, and attempted by the Enemy, and giving us especially of late with many of our Confederates many signal Advantages against them, without such Disadvantage to ourselves as formerly we have been sensible of, if it be the Lord’s mercy that we are not consumed, It certainly bespeaks our positive Thankfulness, when our Enemies are in any measure disappointed or destroyed; and fearing the Lord should take notice under so many Intimations of his returning mercy, we should be found an Insensible people, as not standing before Him with thanksgiving, as well as lading him with our Complaints in the time of pressing Afflictions.”
Sounds warm and welcoming to the indigenus folks don’t it?!
From wikipedia
I HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF BLANCHE LINCOLN.
I JUST SENT THIS TO HER BY FAX. YOU CAN SEND THIS BY GOING TO
http://tr.im/public_option and it will send it to many important representatives and senators.
DO SOMETHING OR DO NOT BLAME ME WHEN YOU SEE AN INADEQUATE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM. YOU HAVE THE POWER OF YOUR PURCHASES TO MAKE CONSERVATIVES TO BEND TO YOUR DEMANDS.
Senator Lincoln
I, a liberal and progressive have circulated this among fellow progressives.
We will not buy any Tyson Chicken or any other products until the following gets enacted into law and yes it appears a legal peaceful threat.
You can read this on the Senate floor. I have had enough of conservatives
in both parties catering too much to companies. Now appears the day
we progressives and liberals fight back with peaceful noncooperation.
To the Congress and the President of the United States:
I join with many other people who demand that you enact a public option that will work like HR676 but will not ban private insurance.
This public option will get fully funded by US government general federal taxes. People will have no monthly premiums, no copays, no yearly deductibles, no coverage gaps, no means tests and no yearly or lifetime caps for coverage.
This public option will cover 100 percent of the cost of: all doctor’s visits including dental visits, all generic and patented medications, surgery and all hospital visits, hospice and nursing home residence and abortion, contraception and other family planning costs.
People can choose this single payer public option health care plan at will even if they had or have private plans presently.
People will have the option to choose private plans or keep the private plans that they have now.
This legislation should appear implemented as amendments to HR676
Until this legislation gets enacted into law, I REFUSE to do business with the following companies that give money to conservatives in both the Democratic and Republican parties:
Gallo Wines who gave over $80,000 to Nancy Pelosi who plans to back off a strong public option.
Rite Aid Pharmacies
Tyson Foods, makers of Tyson Chicken ( They operate from Arkansas. )
Brown-Forman Corporation, makers of Jack Daniels and Southern Comfort
American Express Corporation
MBNA, Bank of America
Wendy’s Corporation
Dominos Pizza
Curves for women’s health clubs
Dell Computer Corporation
Coors Brewing Company maker of Coors beer.
Do as I demand, or your friends who make and sell products and give money to conservatives will lose my business and the business and income from many other people as myself.
Good day.
I’m happy that Blanche Lincoln voted with 59 others for cloture – no Republican filibuster. She sure as hell isn’t my favorite Senator but I see no reason to single her out as you have. Try making a list of the contributors to the liberals – of which I am one.
“I’ve had enough of Blanche Lincolln.”
Have you had enough of Landrieux, Nelson, Lieberman, try the house Democrats who voted against helath care reform, etc?
No, you somehow choose this one woman. Why is she your choice?
I have had enough of the Conservative Democrats and Republicans. The other companies give to conservatives of both parties and appear easy to boycott and contact. I only singled her out tonight because on CSPAN she made a speech about her opposition to even a weak public option.
Cranberry Sauce
1 Bag Cranberries
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 shot Captain Morgans spiced Rum
diced ginger or ginger powder
cayane pepper or jalapeno OR if ya gotz BIG hairy ones a Habanyero
orange extract
Put water and sugar and berries in a sauce pan and bring to a boil, turn down and simmer till all the berries have popped. Mash the berries against the sides of the pan to be sure but LEAVE THE SKINS IN.
Add all other ingredeants (leave out the seeds if using real peppers…or NOT!!!)
Yummmm secular,that dressing is very much like my mom used to make it(without the peppers) Whitepaw…I took that recipe for sweeet potates (without the coconut) to a Thanksgiving gathering yesterday,everyone loved it.
Here is a hostess gift idea for the season if any of you live where there are winter farmer’s markets. All during our market season I collected a stash of market goodies to put in baskets. Things like honey,soap,hot pepper blueberry jelly,salsa,jams,salad dressing mixes etc.
Now when I am invited out I just pack a little basket and put a raftia ribbon with a birch stem and a rose hip from the garden and I’m set to go.
I get my baskets at Goodwill, they always have a big bin full of them.Just bring them home and wash in a sink of soapy water and dry on a tea towel.
Great idea Lake Lady!
Now tell me if you ever find some onion jelly – I bought some at a market a few years ago and have never found it again. I think I’m going to try one of the recipes I’ve found on line.
And buying at Goodwill saves you some money and gives some business to them.
Heck, secular, I have a Taylor Marsh “cookbook” – looks like I may need a separate secular one – or at least an entire chapter!
I have not seen onion jelly. I am on a search for a recipe for tomato marmalade.I had the best sandwich at a little bistro, it was a BBT.Bacon,brie and tomato marmalade…delicious. The chef made it in batches,he would not give me his recipe,I tried.
LL – Glad you had luck with the SS Souffle!
djjl – Don’t have a recipe — but Stonewall Kitchen makes a delicious onion/garlic jam. We can buy it here at New Seasons and Whole Foods. In fact, I just returned from New Seasons where they were sampling a holiday spread:
Cream cheese
Top with the onion garlic jam
sprinkle pommegranate seeds on top
top with blanched almonds
Spread on baguette
Very tasty and pretty too…
Here’s a link to Stonewall’s jam:
http://www.stonewallkitchen.com/prdsell.aspx?L0=SpecialtyFoods&L1=Jams&L2=RoastedGarlicOnionJam
Woooo= thank you whitepaw
my Whole foods doesn’t have it but i’ll try stonewallkitchens – so THANK YOU
I have bought products from Stonewallkitchen..all good
Lake Lady
I can’t get your link to go through?
whitepaw says:
22 November 2009 at 6:43 pm
That sounds AWSOME! If I ever open the restaurant I keep threatening my wife with I’ll have that as an ap!!