2014 Holiday Food/Recipes thread

[abramos]

DH and I are doing our own TG next Saturday. I picked up one of those frozen cooked turkey from Target (12 lbs) that will cook for about 4 hrs. It is already brined and the innards are removed.
I plan on making a full spread for us two b/c I do not have to worry about cooking for a week.
We use the leftover turkey for turkey posole. To be honest, I think that is the highlight of our leftovers. I make so much of it to freeze that we could live off of it for two weeks.

[ESF]

Nov 22, 2014 20:16:02 GMT -5 abramos said:

DH and I are doing our own TG next Saturday. I picked up one of those frozen cooked turkey from Target (12 lbs) that will cook for about 4 hrs. It is already brined and the innards are removed.
I plan on making a full spread for us two b/c I do not have to worry about cooking for a week.
We use the leftover turkey for turkey posole. To be honest, I think that is the highlight of our leftovers. I make so much of it to freeze that we could live off of it for two weeks.

::sits here::

After trying to downsize for our TG for two, I've decided to just make a shitton of food.

Here is my menu!

Cocktail TBD
Fruit and cheese

Cider Brined turkey with Calvados gravy
Chestnut stuffing
Mashed potatoes
Roasted maple Brussels sprouts and delicata squash
Cranberry sauce
Sweet potato ice cream with marshmallow sauce
Lots and lots of wine

[redheadbaker]

Nov 22, 2014 21:43:02 GMT -5 ESF said:

Nov 22, 2014 20:16:02 GMT -5 abramos said:

DH and I are doing our own TG next Saturday. I picked up one of those frozen cooked turkey from Target (12 lbs) that will cook for about 4 hrs. It is already brined and the innards are removed.
I plan on making a full spread for us two b/c I do not have to worry about cooking for a week.
We use the leftover turkey for turkey posole. To be honest, I think that is the highlight of our leftovers. I make so much of it to freeze that we could live off of it for two weeks.

::sits here::

After trying to downsize for our TG for two, I've decided to just make a shitton of food.

Here is my menu!

Cocktail TBD
Fruit and cheese

Cider Brined turkey with Calvados gravy
Chestnut stuffing
Mashed potatoes
Roasted maple Brussels sprouts and delicata squash
Cranberry sauce
Sweet potato ice cream with marshmallow sauce
Lots and lots of wine

Is that the Epicurious cider-brined turkey? I make that every year. SO GOOD! 

[ESF]

Nov 22, 2014 21:57:06 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

Nov 22, 2014 21:43:02 GMT -5 ESF said:

::sits here::

After trying to downsize for our TG for two, I've decided to just make a shitton of food.

Here is my menu!

Cocktail TBD
Fruit and cheese

Cider Brined turkey with Calvados gravy
Chestnut stuffing
Mashed potatoes
Roasted maple Brussels sprouts and delicata squash
Cranberry sauce
Sweet potato ice cream with marshmallow sauce
Lots and lots of wine

Is that the Epicurious cider-brined turkey? I make that every year. SO GOOD! 

H is the turkey master. He just dumps random stuff in the bucket, but I will have him look this one up!

[Pibs]

Does anyone have a good roll recipe? My brother is hosting this year, and has requested that I bring CD's spinach gratin that I've been required to make since the days of the site that will not be named, a salad. And also rolls. Which I usually forget.

[heyjude]

Okay holiday food thread! Nice to meet you!

I'm looking for the following:

- your favorite chocolate cupcake recipe.
- your favorite vanilla frosting (to go on said cupcakes) recipe
- your favorite gingerbread cookie recipe.

These are all for a kid's party so the easier the better!

Thank you!

[abramos]

Nov 22, 2014 21:43:02 GMT -5 ESF said:

Nov 22, 2014 20:16:02 GMT -5 abramos said:

DH and I are doing our own TG next Saturday. I picked up one of those frozen cooked turkey from Target (12 lbs) that will cook for about 4 hrs. It is already brined and the innards are removed.
I plan on making a full spread for us two b/c I do not have to worry about cooking for a week.
We use the leftover turkey for turkey posole. To be honest, I think that is the highlight of our leftovers. I make so much of it to freeze that we could live off of it for two weeks.

::sits here::

After trying to downsize for our TG for two, I've decided to just make a shitton of food.

Here is my menu!

Cocktail TBD
Fruit and cheese

Cider Brined turkey with Calvados gravy
Chestnut stuffing
Mashed potatoes
Roasted maple Brussels sprouts and delicata squash
Cranberry sauce
Sweet potato ice cream with marshmallow sauce
Lots and lots of wine

Yum! Sounds delicious. Enjoy!!

[abramos]

Nov 22, 2014 22:51:29 GMT -5 heyjude said:

Okay holiday food thread! Nice to meet you!

I'm looking for the following:

- your favorite chocolate cupcake recipe.
- your favorite vanilla frosting (to go on said cupcakes) recipe
- your favorite gingerbread cookie recipe.

These are all for a kid's party so the easier the better!

Thank you!

I am not sure if this is considered easy but here is a recommendation for the cupcakes and frosting. The frosting is to DIE for.
www.melskitchencafe.com/perfect-chocolate-cupcakes/
www.melskitchencafe.com/vanilla-buttermilk-cupcakes-and-fantastic-easy-buttercream-frosting/

[MrsAxilla]

Random, but is there some popular holiday dish involving beans I'm not aware of? I was picking up stuff for chili last night and my store was completely out of half of the varieties of beans. Weird.

Anyone have a cranberry sauce recipe that uses mandarin oranges? DH bought a ton at Costco I need to use.

[secretlyevil]

Nov 23, 2014 15:08:09 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

Random, but is there some popular holiday dish involving beans I'm not aware of? I was picking up stuff for chili last night and my store was completely out of half of the varieties of beans. Weird.

Anyone have a cranberry sauce recipe that uses mandarin oranges? DH bought a ton at Costco I need to use.

ooo, mandarin oranges sounds yum. My fav cranberry sauce has orange rind and triple sec in it. Hmmm...i think the original recipe cane from Rachel ray? Mandarian wedges could be used as garnish.

[pamela]

White chocolate baileys pistachio fudge

36oz white chocolate
1 14oz can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 C Baileys
1/2 C chopped pistachios

Melt chocolate, milk and baileys over low heat until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in pistachios. Pour into pan lined with non-stick foil or lightly greased. Chill.

I just made it again. It's awesome. I may not share.

[pamela]

Nov 23, 2014 16:02:45 GMT -5 secretlyevil said:

Nov 23, 2014 15:08:09 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

Random, but is there some popular holiday dish involving beans I'm not aware of? I was picking up stuff for chili last night and my store was completely out of half of the varieties of beans. Weird.

Anyone have a cranberry sauce recipe that uses mandarin oranges? DH bought a ton at Costco I need to use.

ooo, mandarin oranges sounds yum. My fav cranberry sauce has orange rind and triple sec in it. Hmmm...i think the original recipe cane from Rachel ray? Mandarian wedges could be used as garnish.

I think I'm making this cranberry recipe or something very similar.

For something with oranges, check southern living for their collage of cranberry recipe. I think it's the "new fashioned" one.

[ringstrue]

We are only having 4 adults for TG and I figured out my list today:

Turkey breast - ideas for how to make sure this comes out awesome??

Stuffing w/ apples and sausage

Salad w/ cranberries, feta, pecans

Brussel sprout and cheese thingy I pinned.

Mashed potatoes

Cranberry chutney w/ oranges

Gravy

Then the other 2 are bringing dessert and wine.

I know it's too much but I don't care.

Oh we are also doing basic appetizers- cheese ball, chopped olive spread, crackers.

[ChillyMcFreeze]

Nov 23, 2014 20:04:06 GMT -5 pamela said:

Nov 23, 2014 16:02:45 GMT -5 secretlyevil said:

ooo, mandarin oranges sounds yum. My fav cranberry sauce has orange rind and triple sec in it. Hmmm...i think the original recipe cane from Rachel ray? Mandarian wedges could be used as garnish.

I think I'm making this cranberry recipe or something very similar.

For something with oranges, check southern living for their collage of cranberry recipe. I think it's the "new fashioned" one.

Yeah, the November 2014 issue has a couple of cranberry salad recipes, and one calls for mandarins.

[MrsAxilla]

Who has a nice, easy way to roast a turkey? Anyone use a roasting bag? I've never brined a turkey and I don't think I'm equipped, but I could be convinced.

[secretlyevil]

Nov 23, 2014 21:49:06 GMT -5 ringstrue said:

We are only having 4 adults for TG and I figured out my list today:

Turkey breast - ideas for how to make sure this comes out awesome??

Stuffing w/ apples and sausage

Salad w/ cranberries, feta, pecans

Brussel sprout and cheese thingy I pinned.

Mashed potatoes

Cranberry chutney w/ oranges

Gravy

Then the other 2 are bringing dessert and wine.

I know it's too much but I don't care.

Oh we are also doing basic appetizers- cheese ball, chopped olive spread, crackers.

Turkey

Grill

or crockpot with beer, apples and onions.

[secretlyevil]

Nov 23, 2014 23:19:03 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

Who has a nice, easy way to roast a turkey? Anyone use a roasting bag? I've never brined a turkey and I don't think I'm equipped, but I could be convinced.

olive oil and butter, seasoning up the wazoo. Stuff the turkey with oranges, onions, celery and apple.

[secretlyevil]

Cider Bourbon Apple Pie with Oatmeal cookie topping:

www.howsweeteats.com/2013/10/cider-bourbon-apple-pie-with-oatmeal-cookie-crumble-in-other-words-the-tale-of-never-fail-pie-crust-part-two/

Don't forget the bourbon whip cream.

[secretlyevil]

pixy0stix will you please pin this to the top until after the holidays?

ETA or I could just bookmark.

[pixy0stix]

Nov 26, 2014 9:06:21 GMT -5 secretlyevil said:

pixy0stix will you please pin this to the top until after the holidays?

ETA or I could just bookmark.

It should be linked in the pinned rec post at the top.

[secretlyevil]

Nov 26, 2014 9:36:35 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

Nov 26, 2014 9:06:21 GMT -5 secretlyevil said:

pixy0stix will you please pin this to the top until after the holidays?

ETA or I could just bookmark.

It should be linked in the pinned rec post at the top.

oh duh, didn't even think to look there. Should have known you'd be on top of it.

[ESF]

Nov 26, 2014 9:05:31 GMT -5 secretlyevil said:

Cider Bourbon Apple Pie with Oatmeal cookie topping:

www.howsweeteats.com/2013/10/cider-bourbon-apple-pie-with-oatmeal-cookie-crumble-in-other-words-the-tale-of-never-fail-pie-crust-part-two/

Don't forget the bourbon whip cream.

This sounds amazing.

My husband is weird. He doesn't like apple pie on Thanksgiving. He likes apple pie, but he has it in his head that it is wrong to serve on TG.

[wawa]

Nov 26, 2014 10:09:44 GMT -5 ESF said:

Nov 26, 2014 9:05:31 GMT -5 secretlyevil said:

Cider Bourbon Apple Pie with Oatmeal cookie topping:

www.howsweeteats.com/2013/10/cider-bourbon-apple-pie-with-oatmeal-cookie-crumble-in-other-words-the-tale-of-never-fail-pie-crust-part-two/

Don't forget the bourbon whip cream.

This sounds amazing.

My husband is weird. He doesn't like apple pie on Thanksgiving. He likes apple pie, but he has it in his head that it is wrong to serve on TG.

I need that multi-pug head tilt gif....

here we go! 

[secretlyevil]

Nov 26, 2014 10:42:56 GMT -5 wawa said:

Nov 26, 2014 10:09:44 GMT -5 ESF said:

This sounds amazing.

My husband is weird. He doesn't like apple pie on Thanksgiving. He likes apple pie, but he has it in his head that it is wrong to serve on TG.

I need that multi-pug head tilt gif....

here we go! 

perfect, because ESF your H is uh...special.

[ESF]

Nov 26, 2014 10:52:46 GMT -5 secretlyevil said:

Nov 26, 2014 10:42:56 GMT -5 wawa said:

I need that multi-pug head tilt gif....

here we go! 

perfect, because ESF your H is uh...special.

It would be one thing if my H was like this all the time.  But he's normally very open minded and adventurous eater.  He just has very strict visions of his holiday meals, with Thanksgiving being the worst.

I like to try new things every holiday, and he would be content to make the same TG meal his mom made his whole life.  Over the years, I've been working him in, gradually pushing the envelope a little bit with a new recipe. But I need to stick within the confines of his perception of TG flavors.   So he was OK with adding sage and rosemary to the plain mashed potatoes but if I suggested garlic, he'd freak.  

Desserts are the biggest thing.  For years, he only wanted pumpkin or pecan pie at TG.  He won't do pumpkin cheesecake because he is deranged and claims he does not like cheesecake (when he eats it, he loves it), and besides, cheesecake isn't "thanksgiving."  This presented a problem because his mother has diverticulitis, which means she can't eat nuts.  So after years of pumpkin pie, where my ability to go crazy was limited to things like making a gingersnap crust, last year I put my foot down, and made pumpkin ice cream sandwiches.  He was like, "that's ok, right? Not making a pie?"  

He's an atheist, but I'm pretty sure deep down inside, he harbors a belief in some kind of Thanksgiving God that will condemn him to hell if he deviates from the 1983 Thanksgiving playbook.

[secretlyevil]

Nov 26, 2014 12:11:51 GMT -5 ESF said:

Nov 26, 2014 10:52:46 GMT -5 secretlyevil said:

perfect, because ESF your H is uh...special.

It would be one thing if my H was like this all the time.  But he's normally very open minded and adventurous eater.  He just has very strict visions of his holiday meals, with Thanksgiving being the worst.

I like to try new things every holiday, and he would be content to make the same TG meal his mom made his whole life.  Over the years, I've been working him in, gradually pushing the envelope a little bit with a new recipe. But I need to stick within the confines of his perception of TG flavors.   So he was OK with adding sage and rosemary to the plain mashed potatoes but if I suggested garlic, he'd freak.  

Desserts are the biggest thing.  For years, he only wanted pumpkin or pecan pie at TG.  He won't do pumpkin cheesecake because he is deranged and claims he does not like cheesecake (when he eats it, he loves it), and besides, cheesecake isn't "thanksgiving."  This presented a problem because his mother has diverticulitis, which means she can't eat nuts.  So after years of pumpkin pie, where my ability to go crazy was limited to things like making a gingersnap crust, last year I put my foot down, and made pumpkin ice cream sandwiches.  He was like, "that's ok, right? Not making a pie?"  

He's an atheist, but I'm pretty sure deep down inside, he harbors a belief in some kind of Thanksgiving God that will condemn him to hell if he deviates from the 1983 Thanksgiving playbook.

H likes us to host tray and do the majority of cooking. He's fine with me trying new things...as long as there is also Ocean Spray cranberry jelly cut along the can lines (I shit you not), Stove Top stuffing and mashed potatoes. So I always have two cranberry sauces and two stuffings. H won't even try my cranberry relish with triple sec and toasted pecans.

[ESF]

Nov 26, 2014 12:19:36 GMT -5 secretlyevil said:

Nov 26, 2014 12:11:51 GMT -5 ESF said:

It would be one thing if my H was like this all the time.  But he's normally very open minded and adventurous eater.  He just has very strict visions of his holiday meals, with Thanksgiving being the worst.

I like to try new things every holiday, and he would be content to make the same TG meal his mom made his whole life.  Over the years, I've been working him in, gradually pushing the envelope a little bit with a new recipe. But I need to stick within the confines of his perception of TG flavors.   So he was OK with adding sage and rosemary to the plain mashed potatoes but if I suggested garlic, he'd freak.  

Desserts are the biggest thing.  For years, he only wanted pumpkin or pecan pie at TG.  He won't do pumpkin cheesecake because he is deranged and claims he does not like cheesecake (when he eats it, he loves it), and besides, cheesecake isn't "thanksgiving."  This presented a problem because his mother has diverticulitis, which means she can't eat nuts.  So after years of pumpkin pie, where my ability to go crazy was limited to things like making a gingersnap crust, last year I put my foot down, and made pumpkin ice cream sandwiches.  He was like, "that's ok, right? Not making a pie?"  

He's an atheist, but I'm pretty sure deep down inside, he harbors a belief in some kind of Thanksgiving God that will condemn him to hell if he deviates from the 1983 Thanksgiving playbook.

H likes us to host tray and do the majority of cooking. He's fine with me trying new things...as long as there is also Ocean Spray cranberry jelly cut along the can lines (I shit you not), Stove Top stuffing and mashed potatoes. So I always have two cranberry sauces and two stuffings. H won't even try my cranberry relish with triple sec and toasted pecans.

H also used to love that Ocean Spray stuff.  Fortunately, he tried my real stuff, and decided he could live without the can.

I have never put triple sec in my cranberry sauce. That sounds amazing.  My cranberry sauce booze of choice is Grand Marnier.

 My father in law is the world's pickiest eater, but he LOVES cranberry sauce.  It might be his favorite food.  He keeps tons of mini Ocean Spray cans all over the house and eats them all the time.  Over the years, I have made lots of real cranberry sauce, which he does not eat.  But for some reason, the last time I made it, he was inclined to try it, and he ate three helpings, then talked about it nonstop for days.  You should tell your husband to at least give yours a try, because he doesn't want to get to age 81, and then realize that he's been missing out on years of good cranberry sauce.

[secretlyevil]

ESF, trust I've tried. H acts like he's five at times.

[memenee]

Oct 6, 2014 21:17:50 GMT -5 sparrowsong said:

My family has been eating Paradise Pumpkin Pie for almost 40 years now. It was originally torn out of a Better Homes and Gardens magazine back in the day, but there seem to be a lot of versions floating around the interwebs now, so I don't know who really claims the original. I cut/pasted this from a Kraft page, and it's the same as "our" recipe. For the last 10-15 years, this has been my regular assignment at dinner. This year I'm thinking about shaking things up and using the same recipe, but cutting the crust into smaller circles and using ramekins or maybe a muffin tin to make little individual pie-ettes. I think I'll do some little mini-apple pies too because we have some newer extended family members who refuse anything pumpkin. Anyway, the original recipe is great. It's a layer of sweetened cream cheese, cheesecake-like, and a layer of spiced pumpkin on top. I definitely prefer it to a standard pumpkin pie which I just find to be a little too much pumpkin mush, especially if not cooked just quite right. Super easy to make.

1/2 pkg. (15 oz.) ready-to-use refrigerated pie crusts (1 crust)
1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
3/4 cup sugar, divided
1/2 tsp. vanilla
3 eggs, divided
1-1/4 cups canned pumpkin (NOT pumpkin pie mix - actual canned pumpkin)
1 cup evaporated milk
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp. salt

PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Prepare pie crust as directed on pkg. for unfilled 1-crust pie, using 9-inch pie plate. (Or make your own, if preferred.)

BEAT cream cheese, 1/4 cup of the sugar and the vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add 1 of the eggs; mix well. Pour into crust; set aside. Mix remaining 1/2 cup sugar, remaining 2 eggs, the pumpkin, milk, spices and salt; carefully pour over cream cheese mixture.

BAKE 1 hour and 5 min. or until center is set. Cool completely. Store in refrigerator. Serve with whipped cream.

sparrowsong thanks for the recipe. I had never heard of it and am making it today! Any tips? I read online some people have problems with the cheesecake layer morphing into to pumpkin layer and ending up with a marbled-looking pie. Some say to freeze it after the cheesecake layer to 'set' it. Thoughts? Thank so much.

[Vespasia]

We're going to a friend's tomorrow for dinner. I'm bringing the mashed potato casserole I linked earlier and the cranberry sauce frog linked.

For an appetizer I am making shaved radish sandwiches (mainly as an excuse to stuff myself with them) because I know dinner will be late.

Her FI is a recently converted vegetarian and I had a hard time finding a brussels sprout recipe that didn't inolve bacon. I finally decided on this because it looked simple and tasty. I'll either make ahead or throw in a pan right before we eat. 

Shredded Smoky Brussels Sprouts