So, we plan for days, shop for days, and cook for days.....

[fishnfla]

for a 30 minute meal?? :shrug: We are having 10 adults and 10 kids this year

I would not give up for anything though, I love doing it dont get me wrong. But our family is not the linger at the table for hours type. I am usually up and at the disaster that was my kitchen.

This year I have a plan: The actual dinner itself will be served later and will feature smaller portions of traditional Thanksgiving features. My goal is less mess and fewer leftovers. If we run out of something, eat the rest of something else.

By serving it later, I am going to try and make appetizers the feature of the day. They are fun, tastier than turkey, less messy, kid friendly, and more of a party food. Also they can be prepared ahead of time. Yes, there will be plenty of libations as well ;)

I have already made
-piles and piles of homemade Chex Mix. I have my own secret recipe, which is really good
-sausage and cheese balls because the kids love them
-spinach balls with prociutto for the adults

I will add
-deviled eggs, again for the lil' uns
-stuffed mushrooms for the big uns
-last but not least: a huge traditional antipasti platter with all the meats and cheeses, olives peppers, caponata and etc
-and drinks, plenty of adult and kid beverages. Yay!

So I am not complaining ,I am bragging

:hi:

[NMDemDist2]

1. you point out why DH and I don't do a traditional dinner. with just the

two of us seems a waste

we'll have various munchies and a smoked turkey breast to make sanwiches out of

i'm taking the long weekend OFF :bounce:

[OldLeftieLawyer]

2. One question, though:

WHY DO YOU HATE AMERICA?

[fishnfla]

3. We're looking forward to those days too

When the older generation has passed and the younsters have their own plans, me and mrsfish will be so far away from an electric stove you'll need a helicopter to find us.

Then our Thanksgiving meal will be, duck and sausage gumbo with wild rice, roast grouse or fresh venison.

Still plenty of libations though ;)

[SW FL Dem]

4. I used to do that when we lived in CA

I cooked for up to 25 friends and family members. Now that we are in FL, it's really hard to get excited about cooking for 3 (or 7 if you include the furbutts). I do the turkey, stuffing and my son mashes the potatoes. Add a veggie (this year either fresh green beans or zucchini) and maybe a dessert and that's it. I don't do appetizers because if I did we would have even more leftovers. I end up tossing way too much as it is.

[fishnfla]

7. Smaller is better sometimes

Once I decide to go whole hog, its Katy bar the door. 2 people are bringing friends whom I've never met before, so the more the merrier

[mike_c]

5. I'm doing it buffet style...

...with all the food on the table, but folks spread out wherever they want to group, and helping themselves whenever they want. I'll clean things up over the couple of hours that food is being eaten.

[fishnfla]

8. Yes I saw your spread

its rocking, :thumbsup:

[mtnester]

6. My method - think about it for weeks

Tonight, I will be firming the menu, tomorrow, getting ingredients (turkey already ordered), brining Wednesday (and cleaning house like mad), then cooking my ASS off beginning at about 4:00 AM Thursday.

Then, I will fret clear through the meal, nibbling, do dishes as they come in (anal) and collapse when I am done.

[fishnfla]

9. Aint holidays nice and relaxing like?

I hate the dirty dishes part! :(

[SW FL Dem]

10. That's the only good thing about cooking for 3

there are many fewer dishes to wash and put away.

[Mr. McD]

11. Fewer leftovers?

I am doing a 20 lb. Turkey for 3 people. Just for the leftovers. We will have to eat early because my wife has to work. Guess who gets to clean up.

[fishnfla]

13. Holy Big Bird Batman!!!???!!! A 20 lb turkey?

Thats a lot of cassarole.

One leftover I do like: Turkey sandwich with dressing and cranberry sauce, salt and pepper. Perfect football food

[Mr. McD]

15. I will vacuum seal and freeze most of it

and stretch it out awhile.

[fishnfla]

16. Vacuum sealers suck

air. Great for fish filets

:hi:

[noamnety]

12. deviled eggs are for the lil' uns?!!!

Gosh, I love deviled eggs, especially with a good dose of curry powder added to the filling.

Does this mean I have to sit at the kiddie table?

[fishnfla]

14. hehe-dont tell bearfan

*shhh* lotsa growdups like deviled eggs too

I just say they are for the kids, and make extra for the "big kids"

curry powder huh? Thanks for the idea!

[grasswire]

20. I do curry powder, too!

Mash yolks with mayo, a bit of yellow mustard, a bit of sugar, a bit of finely minced onion, and a bit of curry powder. That's my favorite.

[NMDemDist2]

21. pickle juice, pepper and paprika

but this year I added a touch of curry and Mr Ketchup said they were the best EVER!

mayo, mustard, sweet pickle juice, pepper and paprika were my staples. the curry tasted great though

:bounce:

[SoCalDem]

17. We eat around 4:30, and I have gotten lazy over the years

My husband HATES poultry, so I always do a ham as well..but this year..Honey Baked Ham..oven-braized potatoes..green beans (the oNLY veggie he likes)..yams...and pie (our son & fiancee are suprising us)..

The best part of Thanksgiving dinner for my husband will be the ham & beans I will cook a few days later..

We are having TG dinner on FRiday..not Thurs.. My son;s fiancee has a HUGE dfamily and they "do it up big", so we told him to just spend the day with her family and we'll celebrate Friday:)

[fishnfla]

18. I lobby every year for a ham for Thanksgiving

Like your DH, I dont much like turkey, everyone always gives me a :thumbsdown: on the ham.

Congrats on your son's engagement! :toast:

[SoCalDem]

19. We are very "non-traditional" around here..once had Xmas in Feb

:)