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Hosting my first Thxgvg!
I'm estimating about 10 people total, including a child and a baby. Hopefully eating around 3/4 pm. Casual setting with some football in the background, nice holiday touches and possibly eating out side in the porch if the weather works out.
My dad always does the Turkey, so he and my mom can take care of that and bring it over.
I'll take care of a salad, apps, 1 side, 1 dessert and drinks.
I'll ask my 2 bros to take care of side dishes, bread and extra apps.
My FIL is single, but I was thinking about assigning him something simple to bring so he feels like he contributed, but I'm drawing a blank. Wine would be easy if we had a lot of wine drinkers, but we don't. Any thoughts? Perhaps, a nice store bought dessert.
Apps:
- I want to go for something light, but I'm drawing a blank. Any thoughts?
Salad:
- Should be simple, salad bar style - that usually works with my fam (even though I'd like to get fancier)
Side:
- I'd love to attempt twice baked potatos for the first time. DH is a big fan. Any tips?
Dessert:
- Something fall-ish cookies that I could bake with my niece that morning.
Re: Hosting my first Thxgvg!
For apps I always think shrimp cocktail and cheese platter.
For salad we always have a 7 layer salad which isn't light, but it is tasty and you can make it up the night before.
I'd be dissappointed if there were no mashed potatoes or dressing at T-day. If your lot is cool with not having mashed, twiced baked are yummy. My tips are to make them the night before and use a ziploc bag with a corner cut off or a pastry bag to refill.
I'm no help on the cookies. I always make peanut butter blossoms. My recipe is fantastic though- no egg so good for kids.
For the FIL I was going to suggest bread, but you've got a brother on it. I'd put him on a pumpkin pie then.
Will your FIL feel bad if he doesn't contribute? I say that because a) lots of men don't care and b) store-bought anything wouldn't get eaten in my house when there's homemade goodness around.
I agree with 6 on shrimp & cheese. We also keep out whole nuts to crack. You could have your FIL pick up a cheese tray from the deli.
We don't even bother with salad on the big holidays :P
I don't love twice baked, so I'm no help. I'm with 6 on the mashed or maybe scalloped.
The Cooks Illustrated spice cookies are incredible. People tell me I should open a bakery when I make them. The trick is to be sure to take them out when they look underdone so they'll be chewy; if they look done, they're burnt.
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Shrimp cocktail would be a big hit around here.
I like twice baked potatoes but I also like to see new items at the Thanksgiving table. I'd stick with them.
There's a recipe for caramel-stuffed apple cider cookies floating around that looks amazing--let me see if I can find it...
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You FIL could bring the shrimp cocktail. No cooking involved there!
For something festive and light for a sweet app, try a pumpkin pie dip, served with apples and gingersnaps. Just google "Pumpkin Pie Dip" and you'll get lots of recipes.
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