While this is an amalgam of previous Thanksgiving posts, I hone every year. I know you have your favorites! We all do. But trust me… add a few of these (the cocktail and the turkey in particular.. and the dips… and, well, you know… ) and you will have the best dinner ever. Hell, just follow it all! I won’t let you down.
Not a lot of writing below… you can scan other Thanksgiving posts for more detail. If it’s on the list below, I’ve made it many times, it’s easy, and your friends and family will be thrilled.
COCKTAIL
This is my signature cocktail for people from Thanksgiving thru New Years. Not too sweet and incredibly tasty. Once you have the syrup made, you can make it fast anytime:
DIPS
The pickle dip is killer. The pimento cheese dip is now referred to as “crack” by everyone who has tried it. Both will make you supremely happy:
* For more recipes
TURKEY
There is no better way to prepare a turkey. Nor is there an easier way, though you have to start the dry brine a few days ahead. You can even prepare it early and bring it somewhere. You’ll never go back:
SIDES (click links for recipes)
What’s better than stuffing?? (Or dressing for many southerners.) Nothing. Here is a post devoted entirely to this glorious dish. Oh and try adding fresh shrimp and lump blue crabmeat to your basic stuffing. Heaven:
The Best Macaroni and Cheese Ever. ‘Nuff said:
Creamed Spinach, Drunken Mushrooms (whoa, wow) and the best Creamed Corn (dairy free!) all can be found here:
Traditional sweet potato casserole is just too sweet for me. So instead I make this crazy good sweet potato salad that is just right. (I eliminate the cranberries, also too sweet, but you may want to keep them):
I’m not a huge fan of mashed potatoes, which for many of you probably calls anything I say into question. This, however, is a great recipe and travels beautifully:
Two wonderful cranberry recipes:
BREAD
If you are like me and not much of a baker, these drop biscuits may not look like much but wow do they taste great. And so easy to make! You can also make and freeze them ahead of time and just rewarm:
DESSERTS
The world’s best Pecan Pie:
A wonderful Pumpkin Pie:
And if you need some chocolate, this is the best chocolate dessert ever:
OH THANK YOU!!! It all looks perfect. I’m going to follow most of it. No mac n cheese though…can’t fit it. Will Save for post Thanksgiving
hey! Let me know what you make and if you like it! : ) Hope all is well!
Made the Dill Pickle Dip, Turkey, Stuffing, Cranberries, Potatoes, Mac & Cheese, Mushrooms, and Drop Dead Biscuits . I put too much bouillon in the mushrooms, came out too rich. Everything else was very flavorful. Lots of good comments on the Turkey and Mac & Cheese! I liked the Stuffing! Will do it again next year. Thanks Tom!
hey! Very cool! Glad it turned out all right! And yes those mushrooms get really rich! More butter and wine, less bouillon : ) Now Merry Christmas Frannie! (And now I want some pickle dip.. I love that stuff…)
I was looking for a yummy potato recipe that I could make the day before! Thanks, Tom. And I love all these other recipes, with one exception. After comparing, I like Ina’s mac & cheese better:)
Well, you must not have made it right… : ) Just kidding! We all like what we like. I’ve tried to come around on fancier versions… mustard, tomatoes, breadcrumbs and the like. But it’s never as good to me as the cheesy creaminess of this version. I love me some Ina, though!
These ar great recipes, and your stuffing looks delicious!
Thank you, Dorothy! Happy Thanksgiving and many blessings to you!