The Thanksgiving Mega Thread

Defo no sweet potato casserole. I'm not a fan. Maybe a broccoli casserole....

Yeah I meant to put broccoli, rice & cheese casserole, but it came out sounding all British instead. 

Some of the people use frozen corn (which I figured you were doing) and if you do that, I'd definitely use the cornmeal (polenta).

I'm throwing in the towel for my fried onions! BOOO!!! I'll have my mom send me some and I'll have it for Christmas. Now I'm looking for a new casserole, cos I have to have a casserole on Thanksgiving! Any suggestions?

For all the help with the creamed corn I give you my family's broccoli casserole recipe...

1 package frozen chopped broccoli, cooked and water drained
1 can creamed corn (since you can get in Dublin!)
1 egg, beaten
1 T melted butter
1 T chopped onion
s&p to taste

Mix all of the above in a casserole dish & cover with topping:

topping is 4T melted butter, 1 c dry dressing (probably use breadcrumbs), 2 strips of bacon fried crisp and broken into small pieces- all mixed together

Bake at 350F (whatever that is in C) for 1 hour.


It is scrumptious!!!!! And super good reheated if you have leftovers!!!

May be a bit late now but those of you living in proximity to an academic community might like to contact their International Office to see if there are any American students who would appreciate a turkey dinner. Sometimes there's a member of staff who arranges something for any exchange students from the US -- but sometimes not. We invited a few students a couple of times and I found it was fun to chat with them and find out what their traditions were and so on. And they were very appreciative.

May be a bit late now but those of you living in proximity to an academic community might like to contact their International Office to see if there are any American students who would appreciate a turkey dinner. Sometimes there's a member of staff who arranges something for any exchange students from the US -- but sometimes not. We invited a few students a couple of times and I found it was fun to chat with them and find out what their traditions were and so on. And they were very appreciative.

My table is overly full this year (having to borrow a table and chairs in fact) however, this is a lovely idea and one I'll definitely remember for next year!

For all the help with the creamed corn I give you my family's broccoli casserole recipe...

1 package frozen chopped broccoli, cooked and water drained
1 can creamed corn (since you can get in Dublin!)
1 egg, beaten
1 T melted butter
1 T chopped onion
s&p to taste

Mix all of the above in a casserole dish & cover with topping:

topping is 4T melted butter, 1 c dry dressing (probably use breadcrumbs), 2 strips of bacon fried crisp and broken into small pieces- all mixed together

Bake at 350F (whatever that is in C) for 1 hour.


It is scrumptious!!!!! And super good reheated if you have leftovers!!!

Interesting...thanks! When you say the topping is dressing, do you mean like stuffing? I have Italian style bread crumbs too.

Interesting...thanks! When you say the topping is dressing, do you mean like stuffing? I have Italian style bread crumbs too.

Have you thought about making the onions yourself?  

http://www.recipezaar.com/French-Fried-Onions-44115

I've used Alton's recipe and it is very good!  Only I fried the onions... baking them is not the best.  Better for you, but not as tasty!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/best-ever-green-bean-casserole-recipe/index.html

Mrs. Robinson, thanks for the stuffing recipe!  and, thank you too, Ayoubob!

Any ideas for gravy?

Newbie to cooking Thanksgiving dinner!!!  Thanks!

Also, Ayoubob and Mrs. Robinson, what do you think it would taste like to add chestnut to your recipes?  I feel like a cranberry and chestnut stuffing would be good, but thought I'd check with the chefs!!!

NYNY.. chestnuts are amazing in stuffing... we do it every year.  Cranberries, other dried fruit.. apples and walnuts are also yummy!

Sure, chestnuts - why not?  I have some that want using up, so I'll be adding them in.

Have you thought about making the onions yourself?  

http://www.recipezaar.com/French-Fried-Onions-44115

I've used Alton's recipe and it is very good!  Only I fried the onions... baking them is not the best.  Better for you, but not as tasty!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/best-ever-green-bean-casserole-recipe/index.html

It's been suggested by my other half. I don't know if I'm up for all of that! We'll see.

Any gravy ideas anyone?

Also, Ayoubob and Mrs. Robinson, what do you think it would taste like to add chestnut to your recipes?  I feel like a cranberry and chestnut stuffing would be good, but thought I'd check with the chefs!!!

haha wish I were a chef, at least I'd be working.

Chestnuts? I can't say I have ever used chestnuts for anything other than warming my pockets or bashing knuckles. But I may just try that sometime. I think that'd be a good combo for a stuffing.

I'll leave the gravy for someone more proficient than myself at gravy making. My gravy is always hit and miss. I would say Bisto but that is a real let down after all the hardwork of making the rest of the meal. Kind of like getting a BMW and putting on re-treads or going to Paris and only eating Le McDonalds.

Interesting...thanks! When you say the topping is dressing, do you mean like stuffing? I have Italian style bread crumbs too.

Yes italian style breadcrumbs would be good!!! The recipe actually calls for Pepperidge Farm dressing (basically it's a stuffing that you would make, however the breadcrumbs in it are larger than most store bought stuffings).  I'm going to go to the shop and just check out all of the stuffing/breadcrumb options going for the one with the largest breadcrumbs.  I think the italian ones would definitely be awesome since they'll be nicely seasoned too!!!



Side note: I am so ready to gorge myself.... hahahahahahaha.

Never tried this but could one use croutons in place of breadcrumbs for stuffing?