My First Thanksgiving -What to make????

[Anonymous]

Check out the real simple website. they have a step by step guide and planner.

[Anonymous]

I'm the world's least competent cook, and I second Epicurious as well as the PP's recommendation for their "deconstructed" turkey recipe. I tried the big bird a couple of times and frankly most of it was wasted. With the "deconstructed" version, it's simpler and it actually gets eaten, plus there's no drama about carving etc. I'd also say figure out what items are easy to make (cranberry sauce, 5 mins max, for example) and what items you'd rather outsource to guests or the market (Whole Food, Balduccis, etc have tons of options.)

[Anonymous]

You could make pies the night before to save time. Even if you start with a pre-made crust (I recall TJs having a good one not full of crap ingredients) it will still be much tastier than most store-bought pies.
For something a little different, try maple pecan pie. Recipe is in Cook's Illustrated. Not as cloying as the traditional corn syrup version, more interesting flavor, and this nice custardy texture rather than syrupy/sticky.

[Anonymous]

If you have the space (separate dining room) think about setting the table the day before. That is one thing that you don't want to have to worry about on the day of and you will probably discover that you don't have something or enough of something and you can send DH out to pick it up.

I made my first sedar meal, complete with Matzo Ball soup, and only realized an hour before everyone was coming that I didn't have enough soup bowls for everyone. DH had to go to 7-11 and get plastic bowls.

[Anonymous]

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/cranberry-glop/detail.aspx

One of my favorite recipes! Like apple crisp, but with cranberries added. You can have it as a side dish, or top with vanilla ice cream for a dessert

And I agree with the others that said to task out the dessert.

[Anonymous]

Think about oven space. That's the biggest problem in my house -- I only wish I had two! A toaster oven is your best friend.

And farm out the ancillaries -- rolls, salad, dessert.

When I don't host, I bring cranberries. I have a blast making that one dish special.