Cooking Thanksgiving Dinner
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This morning I'm blogging from my sister Kimberly's apartment. Last night we went to a cupcake making class at NYC's Butter Lane and I slept over her place afterwards. She had gifted me with this for last year's Christmas, but due to scheduling, we only just got around to going. It was so much fun (and super gluttonous!)! I'll have a full roundup for you once I get my photos uploaded, but just know this: I'm sugared and buttered out this morning :)
So this Saturday, I'm hosting a pot luck Thanksgiving dinner at our apartment for a few friends. I started the tradition of making a mini Thanksgiving dinner for Shaun and I in advance of the big event so that we could enjoy delicious turkey, mashed potatoes and stuffing for more than just one day (don't you hate that? We wait all year for Thanksgiving food!).
We are also always traveling all over the great state of NJ on Thanksgiving, and so I always like to have a calmer mock Turkey Day for the two of us. Of course, the first year I did this, I'm pretty sure I used boxed stuffing, turkey cutlets and maybe even boxed mashed potatoes (yikes!). My, how my repetoire has grown.
Last year, we celebrated with our great friends Lindsey and Eric. Lindsey and I cooked the entire dinner...the turkey, buttery, creamy mashed potatoes (the real kind), sausage laced stuffing (no boxed version here), sweet potato casserole and pumpkin cheesecake. It was quite the feast!
the brined & roasted bird, ready for eating
creamy & wonderful mashed potatoes; my mom's no-fail recipe!
maple mashed sweet potatoes
I used Ina Garten's herb stuffing and fell in love
Paula Deen's pumpkin cheesecake recipe. oooooh my.This year, we've expanded the group to 8 people and set it up as more of a pot luck dinner so that everyone can join in the fun! I'm making turkey (and 18 pounder...help!), gravy, stuffing and cranberry sauce. I can't wait to see what everyone else brings to the party! Tonight I'm going to start setting up the apartment (and cleaning up the joint since we've had a painter in alllll week...and side note, it looks amazing!) and will start getting my cook and bake on tomorrow! Meanwhile, if you want any of the recipes above for your own dinner, simply click on the photos. I can't wait to hear about what you all are cooking up for this holiday. I can't wait to share the recipes and roundup with you next week!
Questions of the Day:
How do you spend Thanksgiving?
Do you wish it was more than just one day, if only to enjoy the food longer?
for even more Thanksgiving recipes and ideas, check out our Recipes page, under the Holiday section!
8 Comments | November 10, 2011 | Share Article | Email Article | tagged Cooking, mashed potatoes, parties, thanksgiving | in Holiday Print Article | Permalink
Reader Comments (8)
My fiance and I do the same thing. We actually spent last Thanksgiving and are spending this Thanksgiving apart. It gives us a chance to celebrate and be thankful for what we have before all the hustle and bustle begins!
Love me a Thanksgiving pot luck. Might have to steal a recipe for one I am having ;) !
have fun! we're staying here for thanksgiving this year and heading to my parent's for xmas. we alternate every year.
We used to host a "Friends Thanksgiving" the week before the big day in Minneapolis - it was SO much fun. I'm not a huge thanksgiving food fan (I know, I know!) but getting together to celebrate I enjoy. :)
I love potlucks for Thanksgiving. We usually go to my in-laws house and every family usually brings a couple of things as the size of the gathering has grown considerably in the past two years.
Thanksgiving dinners with friends are so fun! I am a little sad that we didn't get a chance to do that this year but I am excited to host the real thing:-)
I've been thinking about Thanksgiving since I found out I couldn't eat Gluten! My poor mother has to hear about it all the time - and I know she's working overtime to figure out how to make some recipes gluten free! Thanksgiving is a way bigger deal in our family than Christmas and it's by-far my favorite holiday! We always spend it with my parents and spend all day eating and playing games!
Looks great, I am still working on my plan- Can't decide between all the good things!