Anonymous wrote:My SIL is coming into town and requested her favorite meal - chicken pot pie. Seems like the worst night of the year for it, but I’m just biting my tongue.

Make sure you request beef Wellington and chocolate souffle the next time you go visit her.

pot of Chili, can make ahead of time and like by our hole family

Anonymous wrote:My SIL is coming into town and requested her favorite meal - chicken pot pie. Seems like the worst night of the year for it, but I’m just biting my tongue.

Marie Calendar’s to the rescue. If she says anything, raise an eyebrow and say the big meal you are making is tomorrow, not tonight.

Anonymous wrote:My SIL is coming into town and requested her favorite meal - chicken pot pie. Seems like the worst night of the year for it, but I’m just biting my tongue.

Your H should say something, unless he's the one making it.

My SIL is coming into town and requested her favorite meal - chicken pot pie. Seems like the worst night of the year for it, but I’m just biting my tongue.

Take out.

Thai takeout

I don’t know. My husband’s parents are visiting, so whatever he figures out.

Mediterranean takeout. I don't cook the night before Thanksgiving (if anything, I am starting to prep for the big meal) so dinner is takeout and breakfast is self-serve stuff.

We have done spaghetti noodles in the past.... with rich meat sauce (ground beef, spinach, peppers, carrots etc). And bread and an appetizer.

Usually, we don't do anything that needs a table setting or will dirty a lot of dishes. Also, I don't want the stress of a lot of cooking or timing to keep food warm and get everything out at the same time.

My family likes meat, and this is likely our last "beef" for the next 7 or so days. The expectation is that we will be preparing a big meal for the following day (with leftovers the Friday/Saturday afterwards).

We always had chili, but with lots of veggies in it. Ground meat (beef, turkey, could even use tofu), kidney and black beans, and a load of diced veggies (peppers, carrots, onion, corn).

It's filling and nutritious and could sit around waiting if people were eating at different times.

Also made for a quick and simple lunch on Thanksgiving, if dinner was going to be later.

Anonymous wrote:In past years, we have made a soup in the crock pot and had it waiting or have had sushi and some other light appetizers. Nothing too heavy or which requires a lot of prep.

+1. We always do a broth-based soup for dinner the night before a major holiday meal. In your case wanting veg-heavy, go for a minestrone with some hearty crusty bread and a side salad.

In past years, we have made a soup in the crock pot and had it waiting or have had sushi and some other light appetizers. Nothing too heavy or which requires a lot of prep.

Takeout. Indian, Chinese, pizza, etc.

What do you serve houseguests the night before Thanksgiving?
Obviously this is family and I’d like to serve a veg-forward, simple, yet welcoming meal (and nothing with poultry or potatoes)