What’s for dinner at your thanksgiving?

by **Dendrobates** 2017-11-17, 09:10

Anyone have any different /unique food sides your family does for thanksgiving?

My family always does a dish a Michigan small curd cottage cheese with onions(salt and pepper added). It sounds gross but is really good. Although that side is done for albholidag dinners.

We also do a cucumber salad (grandparents recipe).

And parsnips are another one. Sliced and boiled half way, then fried in butter until brown and soft. They’re really good too. I could eat those all the time, but cutting parsnips is a bitch.

What do you guys have and tell me details so I can use them.

by **Robert J Sakimano** 2017-11-17, 09:17

we always hang out with friends on Thanksgiving.. have done it for probably the last 15-18 years. Maybe more. They're responsible for the turkey.. and my wife, daughter and I each make/take a side dish of some sort.

my area of expertise is a homemade mac and cheese. My wife often whips up some sort of sweet potato thing and our daughter will rock a dessert.

I'm short on deets. I could PM you the mac and cheese recipe.. it's Alton Brown's with a few Bobby Sak twists thrown in.

by **NigelUno** 2017-11-17, 09:19

Thinking about not doing turkey.

by **Other Teams Pursuing That** 2017-11-17, 09:22

Won’t be in Michigan with most of my family, but brisket.

by **The Pantry** 2017-11-17, 09:28

Mashed rutabaga. Excellent with turkey gravy.

by **Dendrobates** 2017-11-17, 11:56

Robert J Sakimano wrote:we always hang out with friends on Thanksgiving.. have done it for probably the last 15-18 years. Maybe more. They're responsible for the turkey.. and my wife, daughter and I each make/take a side dish of some sort.

my area of expertise is a homemade mac and cheese. My wife often whips up some sort of sweet potato thing and our daughter will rock a dessert.

I'm short on deets. I could PM you the mac and cheese recipe.. it's Alton Brown's with a few Bobby Sak twists thrown in.

I could use a good Mac n cheese recipe. I would be interested in. I like that idea as a side too!

by **Dendrobates** 2017-11-17, 11:57

NigelUno wrote:Thinking about not doing turkey.

I never had turkey at thanksgiving until I met my husband. My family always did a roast chicken, because my grandpa was the chief, and he hated turkey.

by **Dendrobates** 2017-11-17, 11:58

Other Teams Pursuing That wrote:Won’t be in Michigan with most of my family, but brisket.

Another good idea!

The Pantry wrote:Mashed rutabaga. Excellent with turkey gravy.

Never had it. But I would try it.

Damn I’m hungry right now.

by **Travis of the Cosmos** 2017-11-17, 12:09

Ive been trying to convince my family for years that we should just eat burritos and maybe nachos because we all love them and traditions are lame boring and repetitive.

They’re not buying yet. Soon though.

by **Floyd Robertson** 2017-11-17, 12:11

This is the first year I'll probably be having Thanksgiving dinner alone and I'm OK with it, so I don't have a menu planned but I'm for damn sure not making a turkey for one. Planning on breakfast at the daughter's and playing with the grandkid so I'll be thankful for that.

by **Robert J Sakimano** 2017-11-17, 12:13

Dendrobates wrote:
Robert J Sakimano wrote:we always hang out with friends on Thanksgiving.. have done it for probably the last 15-18 years. Maybe more. They're responsible for the turkey.. and my wife, daughter and I each make/take a side dish of some sort.

my area of expertise is a homemade mac and cheese. My wife often whips up some sort of sweet potato thing and our daughter will rock a dessert.

I'm short on deets. I could PM you the mac and cheese recipe.. it's Alton Brown's with a few Bobby Sak twists thrown in.

I could use a good Mac n cheese recipe. I would be interested in. I like that idea as a side too!

I don't use the bay leaf. And I only boil the pasta for half the time indicated on the box, as it then goes into the oven for 30 minutes.. I've found that if you cook the pasta for the 12 minutes (or whatever it indicates on the box) and then put it into the oven, it doesn't have the more firm nature in which I prefer my mac and cheese. It's a bit more mushy.

Also, I tend to overdo it a bit on the Panko crumbs 'cause I like a good crunch with every bite.

Alton Brown's Mac and Cheese Recipe

by **Rocinante** 2017-11-17, 13:35

It's a vegetable from my native land...

by **tGreenWay** 2017-11-17, 13:45

Sorry Dendro, our Thanksgiving menus are always the traditional foods, and that's whether we serve them or go to friends.
I can tell you how my mom fixes it, which is to slow cook the turkey for as many hours as it takes for all juices to have left the bird. What's left is a meat with the taste and consistency of shoe leather. Those were good times.

by **Dendrobates** 2017-11-17, 13:47

Rocinante wrote:

It's a vegetable from my native land...

What’s for dinner at your thanksgiving? 502811600

Paranips are so under utilized as a vegetable.

by **Dendrobates** 2017-11-17, 13:48

tGreenWay wrote:Sorry Dendro, our Thanksgiving menus are always the traditional foods, and that's whether we serve them or go to friends.
I can tell you how my mom fixes it, which is to slow cook the turkey for as many hours as it takes for all juices to have left the bird. What's left is a meat with the taste and consistency of shoe leather. Those were good times.

Same with my in-laws of all traditional food. However, they do a good job with the turkey.

by **Robert J Sakimano** 2017-11-17, 13:54

holidays are when I'm most thankful that we live 700+ miles away from family.

by **Dendrobates** 2017-11-17, 13:57

Robert J Sakimano wrote:holidays are when I'm most thankful that we live 700+ miles away from family.

Every holiday we drive the almost 2 hours west to Jackson for my family (start at noon) then we drive 2hours back east to husbands family thanksgiving for the rest of the day. I think with having a baby, this will be the last year we do that shit. It’s part of the reason I hate the holidays soooo much.

by **Robert J Sakimano** 2017-11-17, 14:01

Dendrobates wrote:
Robert J Sakimano wrote:holidays are when I'm most thankful that we live 700+ miles away from family.

Every holiday we drive the almost 2 hours west to Jackson for my family (start at noon) then we drive 2hours back east to husbands family thanksgiving for the rest of the day. I think with having a baby, this will be the last year we do that shit. It’s part of the reason I hate the holidays soooo much.

yeah, it can be really stressful which is in direct opposition to the spirit of the Holidays. As I mentioned, we live far enough away that we're never expected to be there, so it kind of lets us off the hook.

by **tGreenWay** 2017-11-17, 15:20

Dendrobates wrote:
tGreenWay wrote:Sorry Dendro, our Thanksgiving menus are always the traditional foods, and that's whether we serve them or go to friends.
I can tell you how my mom fixes it, which is to slow cook the turkey for as many hours as it takes for all juices to have left the bird. What's left is a meat with the taste and consistency of shoe leather. Those were good times.

Same with my in-laws of all traditional food. However, they do a good job with the turkey.

It's cheating, but I use the bag to keep the bird extra juicy, plus I cook it breast side down. Don't care if I get stinkeye from someone who cooks it perfectly without the bag. I'm making up for all those years of nonstop, unsuccessful chewing. Kinda surprised we didn't all end up with TMJ.

by **Watch Out Pylon!** 2017-11-17, 15:23

We have a two week old kid. We ain't doing shit this year other than trying to keep the kid calm.

by **tGreenWay** 2017-11-17, 15:26

Watch Out Pylon! wrote:We have a two week old kid. We ain't doing shit this year other than trying to keep the kid calm.

Sorry if I haven't congratulated you yet on the new addition. Very happy for you and Mrs Pylon. At the same time, the idea of you procreating is still terrifying to the rest of us.

by **Watch Out Pylon!** 2017-11-17, 15:50

tGreenWay wrote:
Watch Out Pylon! wrote:We have a two week old kid. We ain't doing shit this year other than trying to keep the kid calm.

Sorry if I haven't congratulated you yet on the new addition. Very happy for you and Mrs Pylon. At the same time, the idea of you procreating is still terrifying to the rest of us.

Thanks! I had sex!

by Izzo Court 2017-11-17, 16:00

by **pulling69** 2017-11-17, 16:01

Dendrobates wrote:
Robert J Sakimano wrote:holidays are when I'm most thankful that we live 700+ miles away from family.

Every holiday we drive the almost 2 hours west to Jackson for my family (start at noon) then we drive 2hours back east to husbands family thanksgiving for the rest of the day. I think with having a baby, this will be the last year we do that shit. It’s part of the reason I hate the holidays soooo much.

Nope, that just means they will all be coming to your house from now on. Enjoy!

by Guest 2017-11-17, 16:27

Floyd Robertson wrote:This is the first year I'll probably be having Thanksgiving dinner alone and I'm OK with it, so I don't have a menu planned but I'm for damn sure not making a turkey for one. Planning on breakfast at the daughter's and playing with the grandkid so I'll be thankful for that.

Should I set an extra plate?

by **Dendrobates** 2017-11-17, 16:28

pulling69 wrote:
Dendrobates wrote:

Every holiday we drive the almost 2 hours west to Jackson for my family (start at noon) then we drive 2hours back east to husbands family thanksgiving for the rest of the day. I think with having a baby, this will be the last year we do that shit. It’s part of the reason I hate the holidays soooo much.

Nope, that just means they will all be coming to your house from now on. Enjoy!

They’re not invited and I will lock the doors!

by **tGreenWay** 2017-11-17, 16:59

Watch Out Pylon! wrote:
tGreenWay wrote:

Sorry if I haven't congratulated you yet on the new addition. Very happy for you and Mrs Pylon. At the same time, the idea of you procreating is still terrifying to the rest of us.

Thanks! I had sex!

Great, but the next time, make sure it doesn't take.

by **tGreenWay** 2017-11-17, 17:01

Dendrobates wrote:
pulling69 wrote:

Nope, that just means they will all be coming to your house from now on. Enjoy!

They’re not invited and I will lock the doors!

Pulling is right. Plus, they're Jacktuckyans, so they know how to get past door locks.

by **Floyd Robertson** 2017-11-17, 17:23

LooseGoose wrote:
Floyd Robertson wrote:This is the first year I'll probably be having Thanksgiving dinner alone and I'm OK with it, so I don't have a menu planned but I'm for damn sure not making a turkey for one. Planning on breakfast at the daughter's and playing with the grandkid so I'll be thankful for that.

Should I set an extra plate?

A little outside my driving comfort zone for the day otherwise I'd enjoy having you set an extra bowl.
Wink

by **Travis of the Cosmos** 2017-11-17, 17:28

You can come to my parents house Floyd it won’t be weird I’ll just be like “hey, this is Floyd. Everyone shut the fuck up about it ok”

by **tGreenWay** 2017-11-17, 17:34

Travis of the Cosmos wrote:You can come to my parents house Floyd it won’t be weird I’ll just be like “hey, this is Floyd. Everyone shut the fuck up about it ok”

Do your parents have a pit in their basement, Travis? Asking for a Floyd.

by **Floyd Robertson** 2017-11-17, 17:36

Travis of the Cosmos wrote:You can come to my parents house Floyd it won’t be weird I’ll just be like “hey, this is Floyd. Everyone shut the fuck up about it ok”

Aww, thanks, Trav, but wouldn't want to create an awkward situation.

by **Travis of the Cosmos** 2017-11-17, 17:38

Floyd Robertson wrote:
Travis of the Cosmos wrote:You can come to my parents house Floyd it won’t be weird I’ll just be like “hey, this is Floyd. Everyone shut the fuck up about it ok”

Aww, thanks, Trav, but wouldn't want to create an awkward situation.

It wouldn’t be awkward and if it’s awkward I’ll just tell them to shut the fuck up

by Guest 2017-11-17, 18:06

Floyd Robertson wrote:
LooseGoose wrote:

Should I set an extra plate?

A little outside my driving comfort zone for the day otherwise I'd enjoy having you set an extra bowl.

You could stay, I guarantee warm since I got my biannual gas delivery today. I'm set until Feb/March now.

Otherwise let me know and I'll send a pie down to comfort you.

by **Floyd Robertson** 2017-11-17, 18:10

LooseGoose wrote:
Floyd Robertson wrote:

A little outside my driving comfort zone for the day otherwise I'd enjoy having you set an extra bowl.

You could stay, I guarantee warm since I got my biannual gas delivery today. I'm set until Feb/March now.

Otherwise let me know and I'll send a pie down to comfort you.

Much appreciated but I have an early Friday appointment to begin a attacking a production server migration with enthusiasm unknown to admins.

by Guest 2017-11-17, 18:40

Floyd Robertson wrote:
LooseGoose wrote:

You could stay, I guarantee warm since I got my biannual gas delivery today. I'm set until Feb/March now.

Otherwise let me know and I'll send a pie down to comfort you.

Much appreciated but I have an early Friday appointment to begin a attacking a production server migration with enthusiasm unknown to admins.

I could send you one of my Cherry "specials" to ensure you were well rested for that.

What’s for dinner at your thanksgiving? JM6PvWl

by **NigelUno** 2017-11-17, 18:45

Dendrobates wrote:
Robert J Sakimano wrote:holidays are when I'm most thankful that we live 700+ miles away from family.

Every holiday we drive the almost 2 hours west to Jackson for my family (start at noon) then we drive 2hours back east to husbands family thanksgiving for the rest of the day. I think with having a baby, this will be the last year we do that shit. It’s part of the reason I hate the holidays soooo much.

Did you move to Canada because of Trump?

by **Floyd Robertson** 2017-11-17, 18:45

LooseGoose wrote:
Floyd Robertson wrote:

Much appreciated but I have an early Friday appointment to begin a attacking a production server migration with enthusiasm unknown to admins.

I could send you one of my Cherry "specials" to ensure you were well rested for that.

by **Other Teams Pursuing That** 2017-11-17, 18:54

LooseGoose wrote:
Floyd Robertson wrote:

Much appreciated but I have an early Friday appointment to begin a attacking a production server migration with enthusiasm unknown to admins.

I could send you one of my Cherry "specials" to ensure you were well rested for that.

Yum.

by **The Pantry** 2017-11-17, 19:48

Hadn't thought much about T day until this thread.

Company is passing out "Amish" turkeys on Monday, just like last year. They say Amish on the box and wrapper but they're actually packaged in the same bullshit Butterballs are. Had ordered a real Amish bird before knowing about the company bird last year so, of course I smoked the real one and tossed the other in the freezer.

Wasn't until May I got tired of the thing taking up freezer space. Spatchcocked and smoked that bitch. Didn't turn out pretty due to technical difficulties flipping the thing, but was tasty.

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Kids are all busy this year so gonna keep it simple:

1) Spatchcock and smoke the company bird. No brining required because it's already been dinked with.
2) Mashed rutabaga. Peeling them is tougher but make them just like mashed potatoes.
3) Turkey gravy. Gravy is my nemesis...have screwed it up for years. Have learned a technique to successfully catch drippings in a smoker but not gonna bother. Nino Salvaggio's turkey gravy.

For anyone grilling, smoking, or doing a turkey on the rotisserie I recommend throwing a couple pecan chunks in the fire. My favorite poultry wood. Smells heavenly and will not overpower the bird. Usually available at Home Depot.

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