I briefly mentioned to my two college aged sons that I was thinking of doing a roast beef or pork roast for Thanksgiving instead of turkey. They were not on board. One is incredibly homesick, so I guess I'll still revert to turkey.

- turkey
- mashed potatoes with gravy
- dressing/stuffing
- green bean salad
- homemade cranberries
- small side of sweet potato casserole with pecans
- Hawaiian rolls - another kid favorite, they do not want homemade

appetizers/brunch really - to be consumed while I'm cooking
vegetable pizza (cold using Pillsbury crescent rolls)
Stuffed mushrooms
cranberry sauce with champagne/sparkling wine

dessert
pumpkin pie
pecan pie
whipped cream from a can - I made homemade last year, and while it was delicious, they missed the canned stuff

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Favorite cranberry sauce recipe?

I just boil a package of cranberries over medium with one cup of water and 3/4 cup of sugar until they start popping, then I lower/stir/eventually turn off the heat. I like my cranberry sauce really simple. I always do this one or two days before.

I add some allspice, craisins and chopped apples. And I sub brown sugar for half the white sugar.

Agree it needs to be done at least a day in advance to chill and meld.

I add orange juice and remove some sugar and lots and lots of Gran Marnier (however you spell it) or whatever other booze I have on hand.

I cook for a small group (me, husband, 13, 10yo, grandma, grandpa) and we haven't done a turkey for years - generally just a roast chicken and a small ham. But this year I think I'm going to order a honey baked ham and then make all the traditional sides which for me is : dressing, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, salad, gravy, cranberry sauce (can and home made).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Foreigner here who has no emotional attachment to any traditional Thanksgiving food but loves the gratitude concept of this special day.

Etiquette question:
If we invite Americans for Thanksgiving, would it be disappointing-to-offensive (pick a level) to serve a different menu? Would they need advance warning?

Menu question:
And if we did serve a non-traditional menu, what substitutions that would be more acceptable than others?

You would absolutely need to warn people, and it might affect attendance. Would you be interesting in hosting a Friendsgiving the weekend before? I think Friendsgiving tends to be more of a potluck for twentysomethings, but it seems like you could tweak it to be a way to have people over for a nice break before everyone starts making the the jillion dishes the guests expect.

Agree you should mention it. Some will be thrilled/some will be fine but happy to change their expectations in advance (especially if kids are involved)/other might plan a typical meal another day. I don't think it is offensive though..

I would not say it's offensive, exactly, but it does make me wonder why you want to host Thanksgiving. The traditional Thanksgiving foods are not arbitrary; most of them have some tie to the meaning of the day. If you just want to have a dinner party, you should probably do it on a different day.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Favorite cranberry sauce recipe?

I just boil a package of cranberries over medium with one cup of water and 3/4 cup of sugar until they start popping, then I lower/stir/eventually turn off the heat. I like my cranberry sauce really simple. I always do this one or two days before.

I do this, but then add Grand Marnier at the end. I don't let it all cook off, but you certainly can if you have minors or non-drinkers. It adds the perfect orange zest. It's not enough to get anyone buzzed, but I enjoy the slight booziness.

You can also sub water with orange juice while cooking.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Favorite cranberry sauce recipe?

I just boil a package of cranberries over medium with one cup of water and 3/4 cup of sugar until they start popping, then I lower/stir/eventually turn off the heat. I like my cranberry sauce really simple. I always do this one or two days before.

I add some allspice, craisins and chopped apples. And I sub brown sugar for half the white sugar.

Agree it needs to be done at least a day in advance to chill and meld.

I usually throw in some orange zest and a shot of bourbon.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Foreigner here who has no emotional attachment to any traditional Thanksgiving food but loves the gratitude concept of this special day.

Etiquette question:
If we invite Americans for Thanksgiving, would it be disappointing-to-offensive (pick a level) to serve a different menu? Would they need advance warning?

Menu question:
And if we did serve a non-traditional menu, what substitutions that would be more acceptable than others?

You would absolutely need to warn people, and it might affect attendance. Would you be interesting in hosting a Friendsgiving the weekend before? I think Friendsgiving tends to be more of a potluck for twentysomethings, but it seems like you could tweak it to be a way to have people over for a nice break before everyone starts making the the jillion dishes the guests expect.

Agree you should mention it. Some will be thrilled/some will be fine but happy to change their expectations in advance (especially if kids are involved)/other might plan a typical meal another day. I don't think it is offensive though..

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We’ll be spending Thanksgiving with someone who is allergic to all types of poultry, so no turkey and no chicken broth/stock. Menu TBD.

I once attended a Thanksgiving potluck at the house of someone whose parents were Greek, and he served lamb. I'd brought garlic mashed potatoes.

I'd rather have that for Thanksgiving than turkey.

But he's a vegetarian. He don't eat no meat!. That's alright, I'll serve lamb!!

Anonymous wrote:
Foreigner here who has no emotional attachment to any traditional Thanksgiving food but loves the gratitude concept of this special day.

Etiquette question:
If we invite Americans for Thanksgiving, would it be disappointing-to-offensive (pick a level) to serve a different menu? Would they need advance warning?

Menu question:
And if we did serve a non-traditional menu, what substitutions that would be more acceptable than others?

You would absolutely need to warn people, and it might affect attendance. Would you be interesting in hosting a Friendsgiving the weekend before? I think Friendsgiving tends to be more of a potluck for twentysomethings, but it seems like you could tweak it to be a way to have people over for a nice break before everyone starts making the the jillion dishes the guests expect.

Anonymous wrote:How do y’all get the yeast to rise for rolls/bread

Use a good quality yeast, like SAF. I buy one pound at a time and store in an airtight container in the fridge. It works great!

Anonymous wrote:
Foreigner here who has no emotional attachment to any traditional Thanksgiving food but loves the gratitude concept of this special day.

Etiquette question:
If we invite Americans for Thanksgiving, would it be disappointing-to-offensive (pick a level) to serve a different menu? Would they need advance warning?

Menu question:
And if we did serve a non-traditional menu, what substitutions that would be more acceptable than others?

I would give Americans notice that I’m not serving the traditional American Thanksgiving dinner at the time that the invitation is made so there are no surprises. If they’re fine with that, I wouldn’t worry about substitutions, unless they’re related to dietary restrictions (allergies, diabetes, celiac, etc.,). That’s so kind of you to get into the spirit of Thanksgiving and share your bounty with others. Happy Thanksgiving!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We’ll be spending Thanksgiving with someone who is allergic to all types of poultry, so no turkey and no chicken broth/stock. Menu TBD.

I once attended a Thanksgiving potluck at the house of someone whose parents were Greek, and he served lamb. I'd brought garlic mashed potatoes.

I'd rather have that for Thanksgiving than turkey.

That sounds incredible. Yum!!! I’d much prefer as well.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We’ll be spending Thanksgiving with someone who is allergic to all types of poultry, so no turkey and no chicken broth/stock. Menu TBD.

Or eggs. It’s a thing.

It sounds like their not vegetarian though? Are you hosting or attending?

Oddly, he can eat eggs. It’s weird. I’m attending, but will prepare some food.

Foreigner here who has no emotional attachment to any traditional Thanksgiving food but loves the gratitude concept of this special day.

Etiquette question:
If we invite Americans for Thanksgiving, would it be disappointing-to-offensive (pick a level) to serve a different menu? Would they need advance warning?

Menu question:
And if we did serve a non-traditional menu, what substitutions that would be more acceptable than others?

Anonymous wrote:We’ll be spending Thanksgiving with someone who is allergic to all types of poultry, so no turkey and no chicken broth/stock. Menu TBD.

I once attended a Thanksgiving potluck at the house of someone whose parents were Greek, and he served lamb. I'd brought garlic mashed potatoes.

I'd rather have that for Thanksgiving than turkey.