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What are you doing for Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving has always been a time when the kids and their families want to come home. It takes two 15-17 lb. birds to feed this crowd and have leftovers for them to take home. I fix one turkey the night before, carve and pour the broth over it to keep it moist. The next day, I simply slide it into the oven to heat through and serve it first. I put an orange half, apple half, celery, herbs and onion inside the turkey to help keep it moist while roasting and it all flavors the broth nicely. The day of our dinner, I roast the other one and it gets carved as needed. I try to get as much done the day before like boiling the sweet potatoes in their jackets, peeling, and cutting them into medallions so all I have to do is glaze them and top with toasted pecans. I also do the antipasto platter, deviled eggs, cranberry sauce, chop all the celery/onion for the dressing, make a New York Cheesecake and get the tables set. Others bring pies and other desserts. It's a busy day in the kitchen. The day of, all I really have left to do, other than wrestle with another turkey, is peel about 8 lbs of spuds for whipped potatoes, make gravy, prepare the dressing, and throw together a green bean casserole. I use to make my own dinner rolls but have found Sister Schubert's yeast rolls in the frozen food section are very good. I have a lot of help getting everything to the table hot. It's the same menu every year and everyone wants it to remain that way. When the meal is over the men do the clean up.
 
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Watching football and ignoring family - like every other heterosexual American man.
 
Wow, vesper. Sounds a lot like my house! Although I usually stick with one 20lb turkey. I do all my desserts on Tuesday, all my appetizers on Wednesday, and everything else I can finish (sausage and cranberry stuffing, etc, gets made early so all the flavors get mesh together). I have a ginormous menu, every year, and I make everything Tuesday and Wednesday, so on Thursday all I have to do is, after the parade is over, make the veg. I work my behind off on Tuesday and Wednesday, and on Thursday, we watch the parade and eat appetizers, and then at noon, I get up and start all the vegetables and stuffing, etc. We usually eat between 2 and 3, every Thanksgiving, like clockwork.

I make NY Style cheesecake, too, and bought two packages of Sister Schubert rolls as well.

Afterwards, everybody cleans up and I get to rest. :)
 
vesper said:
Thanksgiving has always been a time when the kids and their families want to come home. It takes two 15-17 lb. birds to feed this crowd and have leftovers for them to take home. I fix one turkey the night before, carve and pour the broth over it to keep it moist. The next day, I simply slide it into the oven to heat through and serve it first. I put an orange half, apple half, celery, herbs and onion inside the turkey to help keep it moist while roasting and it all flavors the broth nicely. The day of our dinner, I roast the other one and it gets carved as needed. I try to get as much done the day before like boiling the sweet potatoes in their jackets, peeling, and cutting them into medallions so all I have to do is glaze them and top with toasted pecans. I also do the antipasto platter, deviled eggs, cranberry sauce, chop all the celery/onion for the dressing, make a New York Cheesecake and get the tables set. Others bring pies and other desserts. It's a busy day in the kitchen. The day of, all I really have left to do, other than wrestle with another turkey, is peel about 8 lbs of spuds for whipped potatoes, make gravy, prepare the dressing, and throw together a green bean casserole. I use to make my own dinner rolls but have found Sister Schubert's yeast rolls in the frozen food section are very good. I have a lot of help getting everything to the table hot. It's the same menu every year and everyone wants it to remain that way. When the meal is over the men do the clean up.
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I will go to my brother's house, and we'll eat around 4:00. There will be 6 or 7 people there. They have asked me to bring the wine, so that's easy. My mom used to have everyone at our house, about 18 people, but everyone is now scattered around the country. I miss those days, because things seemed to be more fun then. Maybe because the house smelled so good when everything was cooking, and I was younger then. :peace: Wishing everyone a very nice Thanksgiving!
 
Superfly said:
Wow, vesper. Sounds a lot like my house! Although I usually stick with one 20lb turkey. I do all my desserts on Tuesday, all my appetizers on Wednesday, and everything else I can finish (sausage and cranberry stuffing, etc, gets made early so all the flavors get mesh together). I have a ginormous menu, every year, and I make everything Tuesday and Wednesday, so on Thursday all I have to do is, after the parade is over, make the veg. I work my behind off on Tuesday and Wednesday, and on Thursday, we watch the parade and eat appetizers, and then at noon, I get up and start all the vegetables and stuffing, etc. We usually eat between 2 and 3, every Thanksgiving, like clockwork.

I make NY Style cheesecake, too, and bought two packages of Sister Schubert rolls as well.

Afterwards, everybody cleans up and I get to rest. :)
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It sounds like you have it down to a science too! :) Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
 
leoborn said:
I will go to my brother's house, and we'll eat around 4:00. There will be 6 or 7 people there. They have asked me to bring the wine, so that's easy. My mom used to have everyone at our house, about 18 people, but everyone is now scattered around the country. I miss those days, because things seemed to be more fun then. Maybe because the house smelled so good when everything was cooking, and I was younger then. :peace: Wishing everyone a very nice Thanksgiving!
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After the turkey has been in the oven for a couple of hours, and I start sautéing the celery, onion and the aroma from the herbs for the dressing fills the air is when they start asking " how much longer before dinner?" Happy Thanksgiving Leoborn
 
Well for myself and others.....it is not much of a Day anymore. So it is treated as any other day. Other than we will officially all sit at the same table. All 3 of us. That will be the highlight of time with each other. After done eating we will clean up and each of us going back to whatever we would normally do. Although my step son is cooking the turkey this year which he did last year. He has been studying to become a Chef. But has decided to open his own restaurant once he finishes at Purdue. Which we are looking at next year as his last.

My Grandmother passed on the Morning of the Thanksgiving Day 4 years ago. Which none of the family wanted to get together due to such happening. Then a year and 9 months ago my mother passed. Which after that took place. It reinforced how what few others are left felt over the day. So now no one gets together on the day and or Christmas. All go off and do their own thing. Despite efforts and invites. My oldest son doesn't come around unless the OL isn't around. He refuses to get along with her. So he always goes to his mother's. My Youngest son alternates.....so this year he won't be around.

I also Work that Morning and on Christmas Eve and Day. So I can't even have a few drinks, and chill out.
 
MMC said:
Well for myself and others.....it is not much of a Day anymore. So it is treated as any other day. Other than we will officially all sit at the same table. All 3 of us. That will be the highlight of time with each other. After done eating we will clean up and each of us going back to whatever we would normally do. Although my step son is cooking the turkey this year which he did last year. He has been studying to become a Chef. But has decided to open his own restaurant once he finishes at Purdue. Which we are looking at next year as his last.

My Grandmother passed on the Morning of the Thanksgiving Day 4 years ago. Which none of the family wanted to get together due to such happening. Then a year and 9 months ago my mother passed. Which after that took place. It reinforced how what few others are left felt over the day. So now no one gets together on the day and or Christmas. All go off and do their own thing. Despite efforts and invites. My oldest son doesn't come around unless the OL isn't around. He refuses to get along with her. So he always goes to his mother's. My Youngest son alternates.....so this year he won't be around.

I also Work that Morning and on Christmas Eve and Day. So I can't even have a few drinks, and chill out.
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Our Thanksgivings have always been small . . . since my gram passed. Used to be a big family holiday. Then it dwindled to just my husband and I. But we had fun making all the trimmings. Then it twirled to Thanksgiving at mom's. But now she's living with me and can't cook, which is why this year we're going out. Still, it will be a fun day. We're going to Mike Ditka's Restaurant in Oakbrook Terrace, IL. If lightening strikes? Perhaps Mike will bring his family for a free meal at his restaurant, and we'll get to see him. Ha!

May I butt in? Oh, hell, you know I will anyway. ;) So many chefs right out of culinary school think they know enough to open their own restaurant. They don't. Not anywhere near. He's got to earn his chops...working his way up in the restaurant business, learning from his head chefs; seeing how restaurant kitchens work in the real world...learning how to manage and motivate people...learning about front of the house. If you stake him to his own restaurant? Don't plan on getting your money back. It's quite doubtful that you will.

Roasting in Hell's Kitchen, by Gordon Ramsay, traces his journey from culinary school through owning his own restaurants. It's hard work. It's one hell of a journey. And I think it's worth a read by every chef in culinary school -- most especially those who want to open their own restaurants as soon as they graduate.

Buy it for him for Christmas. Between now and then, you read it. ;)

Preacher Maggie signing off...
 
MaggieD said:
Our Thanksgivings have always been small . . . since my gram passed. Used to be a big family holiday. Then it dwindled to just my husband and I. But we had fun making all the trimmings. Then it twirled to Thanksgiving at mom's. But now she's living with me and can't cook, which is why this year we're going out. Still, it will be a fun day. We're going to Mike Ditka's Restaurant in Oakbrook Terrace, IL. If lightening strikes? Perhaps Mike will bring his family for a free meal at his restaurant, and we'll get to see him. Ha!

May I butt in? Oh, hell, you know I will anyway. ;) So many chefs right out of culinary school think they know enough to open their own restaurant. They don't. Not anywhere near. He's got to earn his chops...working his way up in the restaurant business, learning from his head chefs; seeing how restaurant kitchens work in the real world...learning how to manage and motivate people...learning about front of the house. If you stake him to his own restaurant? Don't plan on getting your money back. It's quite doubtful that you will.

Roasting in Hell's Kitchen, by Gordon Ramsay, traces his journey from culinary school through owning his own restaurants. It's hard work. It's one hell of a journey. And I think it's worth a read by every chef in culinary school -- most especially those who want to open their own restaurants as soon as they graduate.

Buy it for him for Christmas. Between now and then, you read it. ;)

Preacher Maggie signing off...
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Heya Maggie.....I have spoken with him about this. I reminded him that 80% of small businesses fail the first time. But its those that stay with it and work hard that end up making it work. My Aunt use to run Kitchens for Holiday Inns and she has been in talks with him too. Its not just Chef classes though. Its Hospitality and Tourism too.

He even has worked on the Riverboat with his class down in Hammond Indiana.
 
MMC said:
Heya Maggie.....I have spoken with him about this. I reminded him that 80% of small businesses fail the first time. But its those that stay with it and work hard that end up making it work. My Aunt use to run Kitchens for Holiday Inns and she has been in talks with him too. Its not just Chef classes though. Its Hospitality and Tourism too.

He even has worked on the Riverboat with his class down in Hammond Indiana.
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Quick!! Get him his own restaurant while he still knows everything!!! ;) ;)
 
I cannot WAIT until Thanksgiving! My mouth is watering already! :mrgreen:
 
MaggieD said:
Quick!! Get him his own restaurant while he still knows everything!!! ;) ;)
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I told him he may want to work and save up some money and that since they knew him at the Riverboat to try and get in there. If not the kitchen go in as a dealer until he can make the move or get up the money for his place. Dealers make good money and tips. He could do it as with his background he is squeaky clean. :lol:
 
vesper said:
It sounds like you have it down to a science too! :) Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
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I have to. :lol: I have probably 10 appetizers alone, 8 or 10 veg, a large turkey, and maybe 6 or 7 desserts.

Oh, and leftovers for days and days. Love those leftovers after a long stint of Black Friday shopping.

Happy Turkey Day to you and yours as well! :)
 
MMC said:
Well for myself and others.....it is not much of a Day anymore. So it is treated as any other day. Other than we will officially all sit at the same table. All 3 of us. That will be the highlight of time with each other. After done eating we will clean up and each of us going back to whatever we would normally do. Although my step son is cooking the turkey this year which he did last year. He has been studying to become a Chef. But has decided to open his own restaurant once he finishes at Purdue. Which we are looking at next year as his last.

My Grandmother passed on the Morning of the Thanksgiving Day 4 years ago. Which none of the family wanted to get together due to such happening. Then a year and 9 months ago my mother passed. Which after that took place. It reinforced how what few others are left felt over the day. So now no one gets together on the day and or Christmas. All go off and do their own thing. Despite efforts and invites. My oldest son doesn't come around unless the OL isn't around. He refuses to get along with her. So he always goes to his mother's. My Youngest son alternates.....so this year he won't be around.

I also Work that Morning and on Christmas Eve and Day. So I can't even have a few drinks, and chill out.
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Sorry, hon. <hug>
 
I am doing nothing for Thanksgiving because these stupid Kiwis don't celebrate it...
 
Family gathering dinner, as usual. Works for me.
 
Bodhisattva said:
I am doing nothing for Thanksgiving because these stupid Kiwis don't celebrate it...
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Aw they don't have to celebrate for you to be able to. Thanksgiving is about family and food. You got your family, hit the market and get the food, and you're all set. :D
 
Superfly said:
Aw they don't have to celebrate for you to be able to. Thanksgiving is about family and food. You got your family, hit the market and get the food, and you're all set. :D
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Three of us? Hard to get Turkey here and my kids are essentially Kiwis, though we do get out on Halloween. It just isn't the same without the pumpkin pies, turkey, stuffing sweet potatoes... I am not making some huge ass dinner for the three of us and I don't make deserts anyway. Just isn't the same. We had a bunch of American Ex-Pats here for a couple of years and we gathered about 110 of us at the Hall and had a big feast but most didn't want to do it every year.
 
ChrisL said:
So, you and your girls can celebrate. :)
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We do... just small scale and without the "season spirit" since it is blasting heat summertime.
 
Bodhisattva said:
We do... just small scale and without the "season spirit" since it is blasting heat summertime.
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Just turn the AC up full blast and pretend. :lol:
 
MaggieD said:
I usually cook dinner...every trimming you can imagine.

THIS YEAR!!! We're going out -- to Mike Ditka's in Oakbrook Terrace. They're having a buffet. No leftovers, but I know it'll be delicious. It's a great restaurant, and last year's reviews were stellar.

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I had intended to have John and his brother over for dinner. But John was such an asshole yesterday, I decided WTF? Cook him dinner?? Not this year. Keep it up, John. We'll be eating Christmas dinner out as well. ;)

(Some of you may remember John -- my mom's 50-year boyfriend. She lives with me now. He lives at her house and gripes about having to pay utilities. So every time "the bill is due," he acts out like he's 8 years old.)
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As little as possible, but being retired now that is what I try to do everyday. Thanksgiving should be no difference.
 
Bodhisattva said:
We do... just small scale and without the "season spirit" since it is blasting heat summertime.
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Has your summer officially begun? Are you in the area where vast wildfires are predicted again?

Greetings, Bodhisattva. :2wave:
 
polgara said:
Has your summer officially begun? Are you in the area where vast wildfires are predicted again?

Greetings, Bodhisattva. :2wave:
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Hi there!

Summer isn't for a month or so... I think. Not really sure as we have only two real seasons. A warm/hot intense beautiful sunshiny lazy season (7-8 months) or windy as hell, wet and cold season (4-5 months).
 
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