The Thanksgiving Mega Thread

anyone have any suggestions/recs for a good pre-made gravy (Not granualers)  i make my own, but with the amt of gravy the brits put on EVERYTHING i always need more.

YAMS. Not sweet potatoes.
To each his own.

I am SO not going there.

i am so printing that page and putting in my cooking resources binder.  thank you!

You're welcome!

I just came from doing the shopping, and I bought Wilja potatoes. I don't think I've ever had them before, but it says they're good for mashing. We'll see!

I got this recipe from the Pillsbury website sounds good...Pumpkin and Maple turnovers!

Turnover
1 Pillsbury® refrigerated pie crust (from 15-oz box), softened as directed on box
1/2 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon maple flavor
1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
 Dash salt
Glaze
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon maple flavor
1 tablespoon milk
1/4 cup chopped walnuts, toasted*

 

1 .   Heat oven to 375°F. Unroll crust on ungreased large cookie sheet. In medium bowl, mix pumpkin, brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon maple flavor, the pumpkin pie spice and salt until smooth. 
2 .   Spread pumpkin mixture over half of pie crust to within 3/4 inch of edge. Brush edge with water; fold crust over filling. Carefully move turnover to center of cookie sheet. With fork, press edge to seal; prick top several times.
3 .   Bake 23 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 5 minutes. Remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack.
4 .   In small bowl, mix powdered sugar, 1/4 teaspoon maple flavor and the milk until smooth and desired drizzling consistency. Drizzle over warm turnover. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts. Let stand 10 minutes. Serve warm or cool.

 
 

*To toast walnuts, sprinkle in ungreased heavy skillet. Cook over medium heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently until nuts begin to brown, then stirring constantly until nuts are light brown.
 
 


High Altitude (3500-6500 ft):No change.



 

how long does it take a large (15 lbs) turkey to defrost in the fridge?  if i buy (2) on sunday...is it okay to defrost them in the fridge?  need them unfrozen by sat.  or is that too long unfreezing & chilling in the fridge? should I buy on monday or tuesday?

I might be having a Thanksgiving dinner after all!
Just found out today that my work's canteen are doing a 'traditional American Thanksgiving menu' next Thursday!

I might be having a Thanksgiving dinner after all!
Just found out today that my work's canteen are doing a 'traditional American Thanksgiving menu' next Thursday!

Yeah, but you don't celebrate it...

DB and I are having 3 Thanksgivings!! We had one this past weekend at his father's house, we're having one with friends on Sunday, and then we're having it with my family on the actual day. 

With all the family drama this year, my daughter has asked if we can do Thanksgiving with just her and I.  So, I'm hoping for a nice, relaxing day doing whatever we want and not having to travel like we normally do.  (I haven't told my mom about this yet, lol )

Seriously, I have never, ever heard people talk about food more than when I moved to California and it was right before Thanksgiving.  Then everyone talks about what they ate for days after.  It's amazing!!!  Thanksgiving though, is the best holiday in the US because everyone celebrates it.  There are no politics involved (well, other than the obvious with the Native americans etc..)

kdvirgo, I'd so go for the quiet thanksgiving.  Sounds great!

Has anyone ever ordered a turkey online before and had it delivered?

I'm looking for a free range crown and there seem to be a few sites that do offer this service, but I'm a bit reluctant to spend £20 without feedback on the provider.

Got sent this today from the US Embassy maybe might help someone?!?

Thanksgiving Day Meals in London
For those staying in London, several restaurants in central London serve a full Thanksgiving meal.

Anderson Tours (www.andersontours.co.uk)
Big Easy Bar B.Q (www.bigeasy.uk.com) Tel: 020.7352.4071
Bodean’s (www.bodeansbbq.com) Locations in Soho, Clapham, Fulham, and Westbourne.
Cactus Blue (www.cactusblue.co.uk) Tel: 020.7395.5801
Christopher’s – The American Bar & Grill (www.christophersgrill.com) Tel: 020.7240.4222
The Chesterfield Mayfair (www.chesterfieldmayfair.com/whats_on_mayfair) Tel: 020.7491.2622
The Conservatory ▪ Lanesborough Hotel Tel: 020.7259.5599
The Georgian Restaurant at Harrods (http://www.harrods.com/HarrodsStore/GlobalPages/Restaurants.aspx)  Tel: 0207 225 6800Hard Rock Café (www.hardrock.com) Tel: 020.7514.1700
Maxwell’s Bar and Grill (www.maxwells.co.uk) Tel: 020.7836.0303
Missouri American Grill & Restaurant (www.missourigrill.com) Tel: 020.7481.
Navajo Joe (www.navajojoe.co.uk) Tel: 020.7240.4008
Planet Hollywood (www.planethollywoodlondon.com) Tel: 020.7478.1558
PJ’s Bar and Grill Tel: 020.7581.0025
Sticky Fingers’ Café (www.stickyfingers.co.uk) Tel: 020.7938.5338
Tentazioni Restaurant (www.tentazioni.co.uk) Tel: 020.7237.1100
The Texas Embassy (www.texasembassy.com) Tel: 020.7925.0077
Villandry (www.villandry.com) Tel: 020.7631.3131
140 Park Lane Restaurant & Bar (www.140parklane.co.uk) Tel: 020.7647.5678
Whole Foods Market Tel: 020-7368-4541

Thanksgiving Groceries

For those preparing a Thanksgiving feast at home, we've seen Thanksgiving offers at least two grocers.  Harrods in particular should be noted for making American beef available in the British market.
Harrods is featuring genuine American beef this month from Creekstone Farms in Kansas, in addition to a full range of Thanksgiving dinner items.
Whole Foods is offering complete prepared Thanksgiving Dinner Packages
Thanksgiving holiday resort packages
The following resorts have put together special Thanksgiving packages.
Chewton Glen: The Hotel, Spa and Country Club (New Milton, Hampshire)
For more information, visit www.chewtonglen.com or call 01425 275341
Foxhills: Luxury Family Hotel and Resort (Ottershaw, Surrey)
For more information, visit www.foxhills.co.uk or call 01932 704448

Seriously, I have never, ever heard people talk about food more than when I moved to California and it was right before Thanksgiving.  Then everyone talks about what they ate for days after.  It's amazing!!!  Thanksgiving though, is the best holiday in the US because everyone celebrates it.  There are no politics involved (well, other than the obvious with the Native americans etc..)

kdvirgo, I'd so go for the quiet thanksgiving.  Sounds great!

I have a student that's a Jehovah's Witness, but that's not all that common. I love how it's so widely celebrated too.

I can't remember if I said this before, but DB actually thought his father didn't celebrate Thanksgiving because he never mentions it! His family thought it was funny when I told them, but they didn't see the point in mentioning it much since he never came for it.

I don't think we are going to do anything special this year, because we are just too busy.  I'll probably make a sweet potato pie and turkey sandwiches. 

The first year I was here, I cooked the whole nine yards for about 20 people.  I don't really think of myself as a particularly accomplished cook, but I guess my Mom must have taught me something, because I managed to cook a turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, pie, bread, and mashed potatoes, all from scratch, and had it all on the table by 5!  I did have to leave the turkey in a bucket of cold water to defrost for 2 days, though, and I think I made the bread dough the night before.  That was one exhausting day.

Last year, my parents came to visit and meet the in-laws-to-be for the first time, and just happened to be here at Thanksgiving.  The in-laws made a whole dinner to my specifications (except for the marshmallows on the sweet potatoes--MIL couldn't handle that!), and even put an American flag on the dinner table as a decoration.  It was great.  I didn't tell her that you're supposed to burn it if it touches the ground...I wonder what the flag handling rules say about spilled gravy?  ;-)

Ugh, I am dreading the day now a bit!  I had thought we could have our nearest neighbors over for tea and dessert once our dinner was over.  DH went over there yesterday and as they have 6 kids, they said they could either come early (like 5pm) for light tea or late but it will just be the parents as the kids probably need to be put to bed (like 9pm).  Well, of course DH was saying oh, just come at 5pm.  HELLO - I'm the one doing the cooking!  I can't have people traipsing in and out at 5pm!

One nice thing I saw was that Edinburgh's Christmas tree lighting is next Thursday!  I wanted to go see that before our dinner.  Yay!