Thanksgiving ?

Winchester · Nov 13, 2015

Hey, Mooch, would you be interested in a kind of scalloped potato dish that doesn't use a bunch of cream and such? I have a recipe for a sliced potato casserole that uses broth. It came from either America's Test Kitchen or Cook's Country and I can vouch that it's delicious. In fact, I don't make mashed potatoes anymore for Christmas dinner; I make this casserole instead....and not one person complains.

You can make it the morning of, too, so it's kind of make ahead.

blueyedgirl5946 · Nov 13, 2015

Fyllis said:
Most restaurants now days offer varied menu items such as vegan and gluten free. You might want to call ahead and see what they offer. If they don't offer anything gluten free on their menu, explain to them your dilemma and ask if you could bring your own dinner so you can still celebrate with your family. It never hurts to ask!

Another option would be to select a restaurant that you know carries a gluten free menu. Here is a link that has many listings!

http://glutenfreeguidehq.com/chain-restaurants/

Otherwise, perhaps you could eat a light dinner beforehand at home and just enjoy the company of your family while sharing drinks and maybe a salad?

Make it a positive celebration and enjoy!

fyllis My children choose the restaurant. Bringing my own meal is not an option. I don't make a big deal of it and call attention to myself like that. I eat whatever is available and thank God for it, even if it is not a meal fit for a "gluten free" person. I know when I leave and get home, I can eat to suit myself. Eating is not the priority with me that day anyway.

AbbysMom · Nov 13, 2015

betsygee said:
MoochNNoodles said:

pushylady said:

[@=/u/55985/betsygee]@betsygee[/@] now I'm no expert on American Thanksgiving, but I think you might want to offer a little more than that! :lol3:

Click to expand...

Yes; it's not exactly a day known for fasting. :lol3:

I've been thinking. I can't see us having Thanksgiving without making an apple pie. So I guess I will be making one. I usually do 4 pies. So only 1 apple shouldn't be TOO big of a deal. I always want my crusts to turn out like my Gram's. It seemed so easy when I was a kid and had her right there with me. I have used the pre-made ones; but they aren't as good as home made. My pies have tasted fine; even if they didn't LOOK so good! :lol3:

I'm trying to decide if I can come up with some kind of potato side dish to replace mashed potatoes. But I don't want to be in the kitchen all day. So we shall see!

Click to expand...

:lol3: I know, I know....we don't normally do Thanksgiving so we don't have a repertoire of recipes for this holiday. :dk: But since we're planning dinner for nine people, I guess we'd better come up with more than squash gratin and cranberry margaritas.... :lol3:

I tried these last night and they were delicious. If you make enough, no one will notice the lack of food. :lol3:

AbbysMom · Nov 13, 2015

MoochNNoodles said:
pushylady said:

[@=/u/55985/betsygee]@betsygee[/@] now I'm no expert on American Thanksgiving, but I think you might want to offer a little more than that! :lol3:

Click to expand...

Yes; it's not exactly a day known for fasting. :lol3:

I've been thinking. I can't see us having Thanksgiving without making an apple pie. So I guess I will be making one. I usually do 4 pies. So only 1 apple shouldn't be TOO big of a deal. I always want my crusts to turn out like my Gram's. It seemed so easy when I was a kid and had her right there with me. I have used the pre-made ones; but they aren't as good as home made. My pies have tasted fine; even if they didn't LOOK so good! :lol3:

I'm trying to decide if I can come up with some kind of potato side dish to replace mashed potatoes. But I don't want to be in the kitchen all day. So we shall see!

This is very bad for you, but tasty. :lol3:

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/238195/side-dishes-and-vegetables#post_3139901

Kat0121 · Nov 13, 2015

AbbysMom said:
I tried these last night and they were delicious. If you make enough, no one will notice the lack of food.

They may notice. They just won't care and might start craving Taco Bell instead.

betsygee · Nov 13, 2015

Kat0121 said:
AbbysMom said:

I tried these last night and they were delicious. If you make enough, no one will notice the lack of food.

Click to expand...

They may notice. They just won't care and might start craving Taco Bell instead.

The menu is getting better and better--squash gratin, cranberry margaritas and Taco Bell take out!

No--hubby is looking at his cooking magazine as we speak. We'll come up with something yummy....

blueyedgirl5946 · Nov 14, 2015

blueyedgirl5946 said:
We usually go to our son's for Thanksgiving Day and her parents are always there too. We chip in to help with the meal.

They have a new baby. Needless to say, they don't have time for cooking. We are all going to meet at a place in between and have a restaurant meal. It is hard for me to do that and get something I can eat because of eating gluten free. So I am not much looking forward to the actual meal. They haven't said yet which restaurant. Several years ago we did the same thing because they had a new baby. That meal was a buffet type. It was awful as just about everything on their buffet had gravy. The mashed potatoes without the gravy were bad and tasted like instant. I tried to fill up on veggies, but it was an expensive meal for veggies, no bread, no meat and no dessert.

I am looking forward to spending the time with them though. They live two hours away and so we don't get to see them much. After we eat, we will probably go on to their house and spend some time there. I might cook us a really good meal to have on Tuesday or Wednesday before if I think the Thanksgiving pickings might be rough.

Our son called last night about this. He asked to choose between a Golden Corral and Cracker Barrel. I know that Cracker Barrel has a gluten free menu. I am going to call the other restaurant and ask them
Then I guess Husband and I get to make the choice. Things are definitely looking better.

Winchester · Nov 14, 2015

We used to have a Golden Corral around here, but they shut down quite a few years ago. Rick and I had gone there a few times. We really like Cracker Barrel, though (esp for breakfast). Whatever you do, Barbara, you'll have a good time with your family.

blueyedgirl5946 · Nov 14, 2015

Winchester said:
We used to have a Golden Corral around here, but they shut down quite a few years ago. Rick and I had gone there a few times. We really like Cracker Barrel, though (esp for breakfast). Whatever you do, Barbara, you'll have a good time with your family.

Yes, I can't wait to see the children. It will be a good time.

Kat0121 · Nov 14, 2015

blueyedgirl5946 said:
Our son called last night about this. He asked to choose between a Golden Corral and Cracker Barrel. I know that Cracker Barrel has a gluten free menu. I am going to call the other restaurant and ask them
Then I guess Husband and I get to make the choice. Things are definitely looking better.

I'd definitely go with Cracker Barrel. Golden Corral is OK but not holiday worthy (IMO). It's just mediocre buffet food. Of course the company would make it seem better though.

MoochNNoodles · Nov 14, 2015

I'd go with Cracker Barrel too.

They aren't my favorite; but they have a nice atmosphere and a gluten free menu for you? That's a win-win to me! DH really likes Cracker Barrel; so that would probably be our choice anyway. Our Golden Corral closed several years ago too. I haven't really missed it; although buffets are pretty easy places to take kids.

kitty kisser · Nov 14, 2015

I love the shopping at the Cracker Barrel Store. The food is better @ Cracker Barrel in my opinion. Golden Corral is more economical though. :vibes:

stewball · Nov 14, 2015

When is your thanksgiving?

denice · Nov 14, 2015

It's always the last Thursday in November, this year it is Nov 26.

Winchester · Nov 18, 2015

Got our turkey last night.....he's a 24-pounder, so it's going to take a while for him to thaw. We brought him home and stuck him right in the fridge. Thanksgiving is next week, so he's not going anywhere any time soon.

blueyedgirl5946 · Nov 18, 2015

MoochNNoodles said:
I'd go with Cracker Barrel too. They aren't my favorite; but they have a nice atmosphere and a gluten free menu for you? That's a win-win to me! DH really likes Cracker Barrel; so that would probably be our choice anyway. Our Golden Corral closed several years ago too. I haven't really missed it; although buffets are pretty easy places to take kids.

It is definitely Cracker Barrel. We cast our vote and everybody else is okay. Daughter-in-laws parents always to too. Golden Corral only offers buffet meals now. So I am looking forward to the company, food and shopping in the Cracker Barrel Store.

It is a little bit further for us to drive, but that is okay.

Winchester · Nov 18, 2015

blueyedgirl5946 said:
It is definitely Cracker Barrel. We cast our vote and everybody else is okay. Daughter-in-laws parents always to too. Golden Corral only offers buffet meals now. So I am looking forward to the company, food and shopping in the Cracker Barrel Store.

It is a little bit further for us to drive, but that is okay.

Yay you! Have a great dinner!

fyllis · Nov 18, 2015

Winchester said:
Got our turkey last night.....he's a 24-pounder, so it's going to take a while for him to thaw. We brought him home and stuck him right in the fridge. Thanksgiving is next week, so he's not going anywhere any time soon.

Perfect timing. A turkey that big could take 5 - 6 days to completely thaw. Then, if you choose to do so, you have a day to brine it.

handsome kitty · Nov 18, 2015

How long is it safe to leave a defrosted turkey in the fridge?

denice · Nov 18, 2015

Handsome Kitty said:
How long is it safe to leave a defrosted turkey in the fridge?

I am always especially careful with poultry. I would say no more than 2 or 3 days after it is completely defrosted. It takes a long time for a turkey to completely defrost. The rule of thumb especially for the big ones is 24 hours in the refrigerator for every 5 pounds of turkey. I think that is actually a little short though. I know with the bigger turkeys it has always taken a little longer than that to defrost. I would usually add a couple of days to the defrost time and there would sometimes still be a little that I think was still frozen in the middle.

Thanksgiving ?

In the kitchen with my cookies

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At Abby's beck and call

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Just what part of meow don't you understand.

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In the kitchen with my cookies

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