The Thanksgiving Mega Thread

I was bummed about not getting to celebrate Thanksgiving (again) this year due to absolute craziness that week (I start my new job, MIL is throwing us a second wedding reception that weekend and my birthday is the Sunday afterwards) but we've now decided we're going to celebrate a week early and I get to take a day off for it! 

I'm a newbie cook so turkey is way too ambitious for me (we will probably pick up an already-roasted chicken from the grocery) but I'm looking forward to cooking traditional thanksgiving side dishes.  Except...I'm lactose intolerant and I'm trying to figure out a way to do green bean casserole without dairy products.  any suggestions?

I found this for the casserole: http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2006/11/best-vegan-green-bean-casserole.html

It's vegan, but you can always switch up ingredients to taste!

Loving this thread as its giving me so many ideas!

Can anybody point me in the right direction for a receipe for cornbread please?

Pauline 

Here's one on Epicurious:  http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Corn-Bread-for-Stuffing-13390
Now, there's corn bread and there's corn bread.  It's pretty regional.  I've seen recipes that call for yeast and rye flour, etc.  You can add all kinds of stuff too.
I miss Anadama bread -- a sliced loaf made with corn meal and molasses (Yum. Drool) But they don't seem to make it anymore, even in New England.

Can anyone suggest where I might be able to find a bag of fresh cranberries around Thanksgiving time?  I like to make a cranberry salad that calls for them....my DH says he will look in the local groceries, but he has already asked in Tesco an it's a no-go there.

Thanks!

I found this for the casserole: http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2006/11/best-vegan-green-bean-casserole.html

It's vegan, but you can always switch up ingredients to taste!

Thanks Steph! Looking for vegan recipes seems obvious now, but it never occured to me!

Can anyone suggest where I might be able to find a bag of fresh cranberries around Thanksgiving time?  I like to make a cranberry salad that calls for them....my DH says he will look in the local groceries, but he has already asked in Tesco an it's a no-go there.

Thanks!

I've never had a problem finding them in grocery stores here. Maybe try closer to Thanksgiving since it will be closer to Christmas then.

pkmac is right.  They'll be sold in little cartons in the fresh produce section - at least that's where they are sold in Morrisons.  Usually only around Thanksgiving/Christmas time.

Yay about the cranberries.  We'll look again in a few weeks!

No problem Springhaze! Happy to help

I have to go through this thread with a fine tooth comb to make sure I don't forget to tell my mom to make EVERYTHING I want for thanksgiving (I sound like a spoiled brat! lol) I might not make it home next year so I am excited for TG!

Just got the confirmation that MIL and FIL are coming for Thanksgiving...
might have to beef up my original plans... 
Hope I can pull it off!!!
I have never made stuffing from scratch before... any recipes or hints??

Can anyone suggest where I might be able to find a bag of fresh cranberries around Thanksgiving time?  I like to make a cranberry salad that calls for them....my DH says he will look in the local groceries, but he has already asked in Tesco an it's a no-go there.

Thanks!

My tesco has bags of cranberries out

I'm going to be home for Thanksgiving!!!

YAY!!

It's been about 7 years since I've been in the US for T-Day!

No canned pumpkin in Harrogate Morrisons tonight.   

My tesco has crap. I can never find anything American Wish I could, just anything lol doesn't matter if it's tinned pumpkin or cranberrys. Sorry, a litle rant.

Just got the confirmation that MIL and FIL are coming for Thanksgiving...
might have to beef up my original plans... 
Hope I can pull it off!!!
I have never made stuffing from scratch before... any recipes or hints??

This is one of my favorite stuffing recipes.  Super simple, and soooooo good.  When we're feeling naughty, we candy the pecans!

(If you don't have access to pre-seasoned stuffing cubes, you can find a ton of recipes online for making your own)