Thanksgiving Planning

I need some innovative ideas for decorating for Thanksgiving. I have leaves for around my windows, but what else can I do to get my place ready for friends and family visiting this season and for Thanksgiving???

Try a new table setting! Start with a table cloth of a deep red or rustic/burnt orange. Add brown or gold napkins, and place mats. This will set the tone of fall colors. Then opt for either candles for the focal point, or even a fall floral arrangement. Try a wreath on your front door. One made of fall leaves looks great! Smell is everything in a setting. Try candles in pumpkin, or brown sugar and fig.

Go all out and get a festive smelling soap from a specialty store (bath and body works etc) They have smells like pumpkin pie, or pecans this time of year!

Herb Butter Roasted Turkey

1 (14 pound) turkey
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper

Herb Butter:
1 cup butter, softened
1 tablespoon fresh thyme
1 tablespoon fresh sage
2 tablespoons flat leaf parsley
1 tablespoon fresh chives
1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
Remove giblets and neck from the cavity of the turkey. Rinse and dry bird. Fold wing tips behind the turkey. Season the cavity with salt and pepper.
Combine butter and fresh herbs.
Starting at the neck end of the turkey, loosen the skin by sliding your fingers underneath it, being careful not to tear it. Slide your hand as far as you can toward the other end of the turkey, separating the skin from the meat. Rub two-thirds of the herb butter over the entire breast. Tie drumsticks in front.
Place the bird on a rack in a roasting pan breast-side up; cover loosely with a foil tent. Place bird in oven and decrease the temperature to 350 degrees F. Bake 3 to 3 1/2 hours.
Melt remaining herb butter. Remove foil tent from turkey during the last 45 minutes of baking and baste once with melted butter.
The turkey is done when the thigh meat reaches an internal temperature of 180 degrees F and the breast meat reaches an internal temperature of 170 degrees F. When the turkey is done, remove from the oven; let stand 30 minutes before carving.

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Corn Bread Dressing

1 (16 ounce) package dry corn bread mix
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 small onion
2 eggs, beaten
2 cups chicken stock
2 tablespoons dried sage
salt and pepper to taste

Prepare the dry corn bread mix according to package directions. Cool and crumble.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease one 9×13 inch baking dish.
In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter and saute the celery and onion until soft.
In a large bowl, combine the celery, onions, 3 cups crumbled corn bread, eggs, chicken stock, sage and salt and pepper to taste; mix well.
Place into prepared dish and bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes.
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Classy Green Bean Casserole

3 (14.5 ounce) cans French cut green beans, drained
1 cup sour cream
1/2 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup coarsely crushed buttery round crackers
1 tablespoon butter, melted

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a medium bowl, mix together the green beans, sour cream, condensed soup, salt and pepper. Spoon into a 2 quart casserole dish. Stir melted butter into the crushed crackers, then sprinkle over the top of the casserole.
Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until lightly browned and bubbly
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Best Mashed Potatoes

1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes
1/2 cup butter
2 cups Parmesan cheese
1 cup chopped fresh chives
1 1/2 cups cream cheese
1/2 medium head garlic, peeled and minced
salt and pepper to taste

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes; cook until tender but still firm. Drain and return to stove over low heat to dry for 1 to 2 minutes.
Add butter, Parmesan cheese, chives, cream cheese, garlic, salt, and pepper. Use a potato masher to mash until smooth, and serve.
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I was asked to bring “veggies” for Thanksgiving. Any yummy ideas? I don’t want to settle for steam veggies. Thanks

I know what you mean, last year I got a recipe that put a new spin on the green been casserole. It is made with the same recipe as on the French’s French Fried Onions except you change a few ingredients and add a few, 1 cup of sliced Baby Bellas Mushrooms, Portabella mushroom soup Campbells Gold Label, caramelize one medium onion sliced, and cayenne pepper to taste. It was great, I don’t remember who gave me the recipe but I add the onions and the cayenne pepper. Try your own version I think it would taste good with asparagus, maybe I’ll try it out.

I will be serving canned corn for thanksgiving. I would like a way to make it more fancy. I don’t want the taste to change. I just want a way to make it look not like I opened a can and put it in a bowl.
I loved canned (not frozen) corn. It will be one of at least ten different vegetable side dishes.

Since you say you don’t want the taste to change I wouldn’t saute anything into it as that will definitely change the taste. If your fond of canned corn, then darn it, stick with it! Make it fancy by serving in a lovely bowl, glass would be nice to let the color shine through and then put a little greenery on top like a simple bit of parsley in the middle, maybe a sprinkle of cayenne pepper across the top (not much flavor there). Alternatively, what about serving it around your turkey? That would look nice and would just get some of the flavoring from the meat. Have a great thanksgiving!

Here is an interesting video about the origins of Thanksgiving.

Duration : 0:2:3

[youtube rk8SlYRy3c4]

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Thanksgiving is a time of coming together of friends and family to share and give thanks for all the blessings in our lives.  On Thanksgiving we like to enjoy parades, good food, football and an after dinner nap.  To make the best of Thanksgiving a little planning always helps, from the guest list to the food and decorations, all the details make for a more enjoyable Thanksgiving Day.  This site is all about Thanksgiving planning and you’ll find lots of information about Thanksgiving dinner ideas, Thanksgiving decorating, Thanksgiving dinner recipes, Thanksgiving games and lots more to make Thanksgiving Day special for you and your loved ones.  Enjoy!

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