We are doing an all non-traditional Thanksgiving this year - anyone relate? (restaurants, healthy)

[writerwife]

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It's the only one that commercialism hasn't been able to destroy for me yet and I like it traditional all the way. However, we've been changing up the Christmas menu the past few yrs. I host Thanksgiving and at least we do a smaller crowd nowadays. I usually have 13-14... down from 32.

[LilyMae521]

Tradition!


My lovely, new daughter in law, who is of Vietnamese decent, is making desert this year, I know it will be delicious.


But there will be a pumpkin pie on the sideboard.


:-)

[oregonwoodsmoke]

I love the family get together aspect of it but don't love to eat until I get sick.

My family loves turkey, so I get the biggest bird I can find ( the great big birds are Toms and have the best flavor), than we will have a green salad, sautéed mushrooms, and a steamed green vegetable. I don't scrimp on the desserts, though.

Turkey leftovers will be a few turpkey sandwiches and I make several pans of turkey enchiladas to go into the freezer

[greatblueheron]

We once had pizza at the local place on Thanksgiving.

Delicious and no slaving over stove or cleaning up.

[Kayela]

Or even a really good pot roast.

mmmmmmm..... pot roast simmering all afternoon.. I know what I'm making! This year we decided we are done traveling long distances over the busiest holidays, so it's just the two of us and any local friends who want to stop by. And I'm tired of turkey as well. I don't know why it took me so long to realize I've never really liked it.

[jay5835]

I can relate, DontH8Me. Turkey is lunchmeat to me. I hate sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie. I have often made a fish dish for Thanksgiving, served with stuffing (baked separately), a green vegetable, and a potato dish (often diced, and roasted with rosemary, EVOO, S&P). And I make good desserts, among them creme caramel, a cranberry-chocolate tart, something chocolate, and something cake. Never, ever, ever a pumpkin pie.

My first course may be a salad, or if I've been particularly ambitious, I will have made Lasagne Bolognese ahead of time and frozen.

[littlelou]

I decided this year I'm staying home and cooking something I want to eat. I've gone to my "BFF's" house the last 2 years and really am over her drama and having to be center of the attention all the time. SO - I am debating between a nice Pork Roast, Orange Honey Carrots, Spinach Balls and chocolate pie or a steak, baked potato and another side and brownies.... prolly will be the Pork roast - I'll have leftovers!! She's already starting the "you HAVE to come shopping with me Friday - I want you to come it will be so much fun" chant..... It's not fun watching you blow thousands of dollars - for every gift you buy - you buy something for yourself. not gonna do it....

[jay5835]

Originally Posted by Hedgehog_Mom

I've become allergic to raw potatoes, so if we have mashed potatoes I'll have to find some way to cook them whole, then peel and mash.

How about using red or Yukon gold potatoes, and leaving the skins on? I have never peeled potatoes to make mashed potatoes.

[hertfordshire]

Originally Posted by Hedgehog_Mom

I don't do green beans and I've become allergic to raw potatoes, so if we have mashed potatoes I'll have to find some way to cook them whole, then peel and mash.

Gloves?

[elnina]

I am doing non-traditional Thanksgiving EVERY YEAR...
It's up to you what you put on the table. Turkey and ham year after a year after a year for all holidays gets old very fast. There is so much of other stuff people can eat...