Favorite Thanksgiving Dinner Food(s)

[Tricialen]

What's your favorite food from Thanksgiving Dinner?

Mine is my mom's bread stuffing. There was just something about it that I can't duplicate. I think she had a secret ingredient, she was sneaky like that.

When this time of year comes around I remember watching the Macy's Parade with my sister and then helping mom in the kitchen. My job was cubing the bread, she always made sure that there was a job, no matter how small, for me to do. I really miss her now, but I suspect that she's cooking somewhere in heaven, putting her special touches on the meal, just to make it have that little something more.

What's your memory?

 

[voluptuary_manque]

My step-grandfather, Tony, used to make a turkey stuffing with Italian sausage. Wow! And sitting around the table after dinner with our dress shirts rolled up at the cuffs cracking nuts and eating them well into the night leaving a huge pile of shells on the table. Thanksgiving in those days looked like a scene from The Godfather.

 

[Tricialen]

My step-grandfather, Tony, used to make a turkey stuffing with Italian sausage. Wow! And sitting around the table after dinner with our dress shirts rolled up at the cuffs cracking nuts and eating them well into the night leaving a huge pile of shells on the table. Thanksgiving in those days looked like a scene from The Godfather.

This a a very wonderful memory. I can just picture you sitting there, cracking those nuts....and umm that stuffing sounds yummy.

 

[3113]

Candied Yams (technically sweet potatoes). Not the mashed-with-marshmallow kind, though I love all kinds of sweet potatoes. These are cut up, mixed with butter and brown sugar and spices, baked up hot in the oven. Yum.

Interestingly enough, when I think on Thanksgivings past with my mother and family (prior to her passing, and members of the family drifting to other tables for the holiday), that's the one and only dish I yearn for. My mother was a very good cook, but our family wasn't one that had that many special side dishes. We didn't even have gravy. There were the sweet potatoes, a spinach casserole as the usual veggie dish, and stuffing--all of which I can replicate. As for mom's turkey...it was usually a bit dry, so no yearning after that.

As for relishes and desserts...mom used to get our cranberry sauce out of a can! I now make my own and far yummier. My fave is a maple-molasses recipe that's very potent and "New England" in flavor. I was also the baker in the family, so if anyone yearns for my biscuits or pie--pumpkin, apple, pecan--they can still get it from me.

Which makes me wonder...am I the one people think about when they reminisce about favorite foods from Thanksgivings past? My cranberry sauce? Biscuits or pie?

 

[voluptuary_manque]

Candied Yams (technically sweet potatoes). Not the mashed-with-marshmallow kind, though I love all kinds of sweet potatoes. These are cut up, mixed with butter and brown sugar and spices, baked up hot in the oven. Yum.

Interestingly enough, when I think on Thanksgivings past with my mother and family (prior to her passing, and members of the family drifting to other tables for the holiday), that's the one and only dish I yearn for. My mother was a very good cook, but our family wasn't one that had that many special side dishes. We didn't even have gravy. There were the sweet potatoes, a spinach casserole as the usual veggie dish, and stuffing--all of which I can replicate. As for mom's turkey...it was usually a bit dry, so no yearning after that.

As for relishes and desserts...mom used to get our cranberry sauce out of a can! I now make my own and far yummier. My fave is a maple-molasses recipe that's very potent and "New England" in flavor. I was also the baker in the family, so if anyone yearns for my biscuits or pie--pumpkin, apple, pecan--they can still get it from me.

Which makes me wonder...am I the one people think about when they reminisce about favorite foods from Thanksgivings past? My cranberry sauce? Biscuits or pie?

Have either of you ever done a cranberry pie? I got the recipe from Jeff Smith's American cookbook. It's super easy and deeeeeeeelicious.

 

[Tricialen]

Candied Yams (technically sweet potatoes). Not the mashed-with-marshmallow kind, though I love all kinds of sweet potatoes. These are cut up, mixed with butter and brown sugar and spices, baked up hot in the oven. Yum.

Interestingly enough, when I think on Thanksgivings past with my mother and family (prior to her passing, and members of the family drifting to other tables for the holiday), that's the one and only dish I yearn for. My mother was a very good cook, but our family wasn't one that had that many special side dishes. We didn't even have gravy. There were the sweet potatoes, a spinach casserole as the usual veggie dish, and stuffing--all of which I can replicate. As for mom's turkey...it was usually a bit dry, so no yearning after that.

As for relishes and desserts...mom used to get our cranberry sauce out of a can! I now make my own and far yummier. My fave is a maple-molasses recipe that's very potent and "New England" in flavor. I was also the baker in the family, so if anyone yearns for my biscuits or pie--pumpkin, apple, pecan--they can still get it from me.

Which makes me wonder...am I the one people think about when they reminisce about favorite foods from Thanksgivings past? My cranberry sauce? Biscuits or pie?

Ummm, I make mine the same way except I add pecans. I'm from the south and Thanksgiving would not be the same without peacans.

 

[pellso27]

For Thanksgiving it is always Roast Duck with stuffing and gravy.Wine

 

[Guest]

My grandmother (step father's mother) decided that since I was not really wanted in the family I really needed to have a use.... as much as that sentiment hurt... I would never give up standing with her in the kitchen of her home while she cooked these amazing dishes. Dozens of shrimp dishes, deserts that would make you drool just smelling them, just amazing concoctions that were wonderful.

She taught me how to make chestnut stuffing with mushrooms. She also taught me how to make red velvet cake from scratch. The first I still struggle with all these years later and the second I can make by heart without even needing the recipe... I know what it semms like and feels like in my fingers just by touch if I got it right.

 

[cloudy]

I can duplicate just about everything my mother normally makes for t-giving with the huge exception of her pecan pie. I can make one, but it's not quite like hers. Hers is the best in the world, no exceptions.

Thanksgiving without my mother's pecan pie is like christmas without santa.

 

[Chantilyvamp]

Pumpkin pie. After i moved away from home I had to make it for myself. I'm now much better at it and am spreading the pumpkin love around england and correcting the mistake of a few who want to serve me a pumpkin pie with raisins and apples in it *egads*! The husbands nephews ask for one every christmas as well though I have had to cheat at times and make them a sweet potato pie instead.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

Homemade cranberry sauce... and sweet potatoes. No marshmallows... but lots of butter!

 

[Belegon]

All y'all got me missing my Grandma's sweet potatoes now... yummmmmmmmmmmmm....

green beans with bacon... Green Mountain Salad (it's a desert, actually)... honey-baked ham... garlic and butter mashed potatoes...

 

[TE999]

My grandma was an excellent cook...so was my aunt...my family always ate T-giving dinner at one of their houses. I swear I can still smell the wonderful aromas wafting from their kitchens as I type this.

We'd have homemade pumpkin, sweet potato and pecan pies for dessert; and hand-cranked peach ice cream. Ah...memories.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

Homemade cranberry sauce... and sweet potatoes. No marshmallows... but lots of butter!

I'm with you! Sweet potatoes are so good that putting marshmallows on top is gilding the lily. Butter and season salt is all they need. Yumm!

 

[rgraham666]

Turkey, with lots of gravy.

 

[Misty_Morning]

Gotta agree with Cloudy on this one....Pecan Pie.

But it has to made with pecans that you went out and gathered and shelled yourself.

Plus...it's gotta have 2 layers of pecans.

And of course, a slice of pie has to have a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

As for memories...I think the best memory is not having any. Being at a point in my life that the current events will become my memories. This is what I am looking forward to. And I have only one person to thank.


Sometimes...starting over is a very good thing.

 

[Saucy_Sage]

My grandmother used to have a bundle of sticks/twigs about an inch in diameter (her father had made it for her - maybe someone can tell me what sort of wood it might have been) whose sole purpose was to stir the gravy she made from the turkey drippings. OMG.

 

[Misty_Morning]

My grandmother used to have a bundle of sticks/twigs about an inch in diameter (her father had made it for her - maybe someone can tell me what sort of wood it might have been) whose sole purpose was to stir the gravy she made from the turkey drippings. OMG.

My guess is Hickory...

 

[christabelll]

Momma's Black Pepper Pumpkin Pie
Gramma's Pecan Pie
Aunties Sour Cream Lemon Pie
Sis's Chocolate Hazelnut Mousse
Other Sis's Apple Pie with Cognac and Walnuts


cant stand stuffing unless its made with cornbread

THese days I do all the cooking... this year its full bore traditional thanksgiving at my childrens request...

Most of my holidays as a child were frought with danger... But as an adult -
I do my best to make it like its supposed to be... filled with fun, food, family and friends...
And I will be making all of them there desserts tomorrow...

Brightest of days

 

[Tricialen]

Truth be told ...I love it all .....the family ...the food....football....laying around and groaning......Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of all....

Turkey and all the fixings and family and good friends....that's a lot to be

grateful for ....so I'm counting my blessings.

 

[DesertPirate]

Sausage stuffing, all meat, 1/2 sausage and 1/2 hamburger
Cooked inside a champagne turkey in a bag

The stuffing is made and aging in the fridge right now

 

[voluptuary_manque]

Truth be told ...I love it all .....the family ...the food....football....laying around and groaning......Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of all....

Turkey and all the fixings and family and good friends....that's a lot to be

grateful for ....so I'm counting my blessings.

Mine, too, I think. I've never understood those whose favorite 'holiday' is Halloween. Independence Day is so hyper-organized and lockstep in urban areas, especially here where the land is a giant bomb waiting to go off. Veteran's Day is too solemn, Labor Day just the opening of dove season and Christmas is great if there are small children around. But for adults, Thanksgiving is the best . . . even for those of us who aren't football fans.

 

[alyxen]

OK, I miss my dad's sausage stuffing (except for the yucky apples, bleah!), so currently my fave is my friend's mom's cheesy potatoes, which is basically julienne style potato, cheese, onion; baked with corn flakes on top for some crunch.

tastes better than it sounds..honest!

 

[voluptuary_manque]

OK, I miss my dad's sausage stuffing (except for the yucky apples, bleah!), so currently my fave is my friend's mom's cheesy potatoes, which is basically julienne style potato, cheese, onion; baked with corn flakes on top for some crunch.

tastes better than it sounds..honest!

Actually, it sounds pretty good, too.

 

[Guest]

The meal is fine.

I love leftovers.

I love kicking back late in the afternoon with a turkey sandwich made from sliced turkey, mebbe some swiss cheese, all crammed onto a leftover dinner roll from the big meal.

Washed down with a beer. While watching football.