What's your favorite holiday food?

anna.oskar

Word has finally come down the lines from the family and I'm hosting Thanksgiving dinner at our house this year. I am feeling like adding a few more dishes to this year's smorgasbord.  What's your family's favorite or signature dish to go along with the regular fare?  I'd love some new ideas!

Here's my menu at the moment, some dinner, some hors d'oeuvres:

*Garlic butter infused turkey with crispy skin
*Stuffing
*Green bean casserole
*Corn
*Mashed potatoes & gravy
*candied yams
*Sweet butter rolls
*Salad with a cranberry vinaigrette

*veggie platter with dip
*bacon-cheddar deviled eggs
*Norwegian shrimp sandwiches
*Spiced cranberry cider
*Pumpkin pie
*Caramel apple pie

flyjawn

homemade pumpkin pie with real whipped cream (not that garbage that comes from a can!)

our thanksgiving is in 2 weeks (canadian thanksgiving) and no one in my family has mentioned it which is cause for concern i think!!

aggiebug

pumpkin pie hands down.


my family has the pineapple casserole that everyone (but me) loves.  lol  I am ust not a fan of cooked fruit so me not liking it is not a big surprise.

Anysunrise

Your menu sounds amazing. 

My favourite things are turkey and garlic mashed potatoes with gravy from scratch, and apple pie. I love apple cider too.

anna.oskar

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_whats-favorite-holiday-food?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:65dcd658-fa05-40b0-a771-f6e8a860cceaPost:7f33bfb8-5f18-4611-a90f-cca3c2adf558">Re: What's your favorite holiday food?</a>:
[QUOTE]pumpkin pie hands down. my family has the pineapple casserole that everyone (but me) loves.  lol  I am ust not a fan of cooked fruit so me not liking it is not a big surprise.
Posted by aggiebug[/QUOTE]

H's family does a hot curried fruit.  I love it but I think i'm the only one who really likes it. His grandma made it i assume likes it.

NatesGirl16

Anna, you are killing me!  All of that sounds sooooo good.

I think you hit all of the amazing, traditional foods.  Are you looking to add completely new dishes, or twists on originals?  I think some people make homemade mac and cheese, although we don't.  

On another note, is this your first time hosting?  We usually go to my mom's, and will this year, but next year it will be our wedding weekend, so we're planning on hosting Thanksgiving as a family "get-to-know-you".  It seems overwhelming already, and it's just a theory at this point.

jasmineh7777

I love when you make the gravy from the turkey juices. Best gravy ever. And the turkey skin is the best part of the whole meal.


Devilled eggs
An array of olives

Steph0871

um, everything?

For dessert, we have an (easy) tradition....

take a lb of chocolate almond bark

cup of peanut butter

bag of chocolate chips

melt together, pour in little (tiny) muffin liners and freeze.

jasmineh7777

And now I am very hungry.

We are going to do dinner with BIL the day before Thanksgiving at our place. (We have decided not to attend his families dinner. Woot!) So I may just steal this menu Anna. He's 15, so that's almost enough food.

NatesGirl16

Mmm, the olives sound delicious and I would add either a cheese platter or spinach dip.  I LOVE spinach dip in a pumpernickel bread bowl. 

anna.oskar

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_whats-favorite-holiday-food?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:65dcd658-fa05-40b0-a771-f6e8a860cceaPost:8a4ba926-15d4-475b-a2bc-a7da4ff9db9e">Re: What's your favorite holiday food?</a>:
[QUOTE]Anna, you are killing me!  All of that sounds sooooo good. I think you hit all of the amazing, traditional foods.  Are you looking to add completely new dishes, or twists on originals?  I think some people make homemade mac and cheese, although we don't.   On another note, is this your first time hosting?  We usually go to my mom's, and will this year, but next year it will be our wedding weekend, so we're planning on hosting Thanksgiving as a family "get-to-know-you".  It seems overwhelming already, and it's just a theory at this point.
Posted by NatesGirl16[/QUOTE]

I'm open to completely new and twists on originals.  H says that mini mac and cheeses sound great as a side dish (we had them at our wedding)

I've hosted Christmas dinner many times but this is actually my first hosted Thanksgiving.  We've got a lot of picky eaters coming and i just want to cover all the bases. (my step-father won't eat anything that had 2 legs - turkey, chicken)

Current count says we'll have 16 for dinner, plus us

opalsky007

Sweet potato casserole may be my favorite thing, ever.

I also love to make molasses cookies. The smell just reminds me of Christmas.

JennaV26

I have nothing original to add, I'm just hungry!!!

anna.oskar

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_whats-favorite-holiday-food?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:65dcd658-fa05-40b0-a771-f6e8a860cceaPost:e1669362-884f-4b43-8c6b-507336f82749">Re: What's your favorite holiday food?</a>:
[QUOTE]Mmm, the olives sound delicious and I would add either a cheese platter or spinach dip.  I LOVE spinach dip in a pumpernickel bread bowl. 
Posted by NatesGirl16[/QUOTE]


I was thinking a hot dip or two maybe.  Would that be too heavy do you think?

NatesGirl16

No, I think that would be fine.  People show up to T-giving dinner expecting to eat a lot, so I don't think they'd be overwhelmed.  What kind of hot dip? 

Also, now I am starving :P.

aggiebug

haha then maybe they won't like it.  Honestly I can't think of much to actually add to your wonderful menu.   But can I join you? lol

katiewhompus

Just to let you know, I am copy pasting your menu

We're doing the holidays here this year, and yeah, I'm already panicking. H is in charge of most of the food though. The things we will definitely have are

Turkey, normally wrapped in bacon
Mashed Potatos
Cranberries (out of the jar for his mom and me, fresh for everyone else)
Fruit Ambrosia (I think that's what it's called. Cranberries, apples, marshmallows, etc.)
Green jello with carrots (my grandma has made this every holiday since dad was 5 and we continue the tradition)

I like the idea of little mini baked mac and cheeses!

kd.joseph

Ok Anna just one question. When's dinner served.

Guess I'm driving to South Dakota this year

You've pretty much hit on everything. My dish was always Candied Yams.
And my Mom always made 2 stuffings, one regular, but made from scratch. And one with Oysters.

Now I'm starving, I've been cleaning and havent eaten all day. DH is making his chili tonight for dinner. YUM!

kimheartsscott

Holy jesus that's a lot of food.  I really can't think of anything to add.

SarahPLiz

My aunt makes a killer potato au gratin. I wish I had the recipe, but it is at least a suggestion. Last year I did cornish hens for FI and I and we had roasted root veggies (carrots, potatoes, parsnips, onions etc). THey were pretty good with just salt and olive oil, but you could add some seasonal herbs to tie them in to the rest of your meal. 

anna.oskar

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_whats-favorite-holiday-food?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:65dcd658-fa05-40b0-a771-f6e8a860cceaPost:579798c6-508a-4c68-b230-3d5ebf6db7da">Re: What's your favorite holiday food?</a>:
[QUOTE]No, I think that would be fine.  People show up to T-giving dinner expecting to eat a lot, so I don't think they'd be overwhelmed.  What kind of hot dip?  Also, now I am starving :P.
Posted by NatesGirl16[/QUOTE]

Maybe a cheese, beef and tomato dip with chips or a crab dip... or both

It IS a football day as well

nda_roxybabe

Last year I made my grandma's Broccoli cheese casserole and it was a HUGE hit. I also insist on sweet potato casserole.

NatesGirl16

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_whats-favorite-holiday-food?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:65dcd658-fa05-40b0-a771-f6e8a860cceaPost:f7208a93-e500-4002-816c-e1cc5a764ce3">Re: What's your favorite holiday food?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: What's your favorite holiday food? : Maybe a cheese, beef and tomato dip with chips or a crab dip... or both It IS a football day as well
Posted by anna.oskar[/QUOTE]

Those sound good!  I don't eat seafood, but a crab dip should be a big hit and then you've provided a bunch of options for picky people.  I also love appetizers and finger foods, so I'm biased towards dips.

kimheartsscott

You could add a soup for people who don't like salad maybe?  Given the choice I would probably go for soup.

anna.oskar

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_whats-favorite-holiday-food?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:65dcd658-fa05-40b0-a771-f6e8a860cceaPost:4f8f5b6b-5d1c-4ee2-aa1e-58ae77f8ee38">Re: What's your favorite holiday food?</a>:
[QUOTE]Ok Anna just one question. When's dinner served. Guess I'm driving to South Dakota this year ;) You've pretty much hit on everything. My dish was always Candied Yams. And my Mom always made 2 stuffings, one regular, but made from scratch. And one with Oysters. Now I'm starving, I've been cleaning and havent eaten all day. DH is making his chili tonight for dinner. YUM!
Posted by kd.joseph[/QUOTE]

Dinner will be served at 3:30pm and the stuffing is a homemade one.  I sauté shitake & oyster mushrooms, onions, and italian sausage in a bit of butter with sage and then mix it into my bread cubes that are made from challah the day before. Add chicken broth and it's done.

jasmineh7777

Too heavy on Thanksgiving? Does not compute!

anna.oskar

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_whats-favorite-holiday-food?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:65dcd658-fa05-40b0-a771-f6e8a860cceaPost:17146239-5258-4889-9967-3d6f3eef8429">Re: What's your favorite holiday food?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: What's your favorite holiday food? : Those sound good!  I don't eat seafood, but a crab dip should be a big hit and then you've provided a bunch of options for picky people. <strong> I also love appetizers and finger foods, so I'm biased towards dips.</strong>
Posted by NatesGirl16[/QUOTE]

Me too.  I love whole meals made from apps.  That's what we had at our reception.

anna.oskar

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_whats-favorite-holiday-food?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:65dcd658-fa05-40b0-a771-f6e8a860cceaPost:7052f498-f5d0-4377-a3e3-20838223ecfe">Re: What's your favorite holiday food?</a>:
[QUOTE]You could add a soup for people who don't like salad maybe?  Given the choice I would probably go for soup.
Posted by kimheartsscott[/QUOTE]


Great idea Kim!  I love soup and have a fancy tureen that i've been dying to use!  Maybe a light cream soup.. maybe with a touch of sausage.  No vegetarians at Thanksgiving this year  :)

kimheartsscott

Whoo!   I'm helpful!

anna.oskar

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_whats-favorite-holiday-food?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:65dcd658-fa05-40b0-a771-f6e8a860cceaPost:a1b8d04b-1629-4aff-90c6-070eace8bc7e">Re: What's your favorite holiday food?</a>:
[QUOTE]FSIL makes an amazing hot crab dip for an appetizer. I don't know everything in it, but it is one of my favorite things.
Posted by ILoveMilkDuds[/QUOTE]

I'd love a recipe if you could wrangle it from her.  I've never made one but found one with a cream cheese base online that looks good.

anna.oskar

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_whats-favorite-holiday-food?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:65dcd658-fa05-40b0-a771-f6e8a860cceaPost:a1b8d04b-1629-4aff-90c6-070eace8bc7e">Re: What's your favorite holiday food?</a>:
[QUOTE] Also, if someone volunteers to bring something, let them!  If you are having a large group, it can't hurt to have an extra dish or two.
Posted by ILoveMilkDuds[/QUOTE]

Not a chance.  i come from a family that cooks dinner in the microwave or orders take-out.