I was going to post this in general discussion, but thought it might be more appropriate here.

What's everyone doing for Thanksgiving?

My family will start the day at my in-laws where I'm going to drink beer, eat turkey, watch football,

and then go to my parents' house where my brothers, sister and their families will be , and I'll drink beer, eat turkey, and watch football.

Then I plan to top off the night by getting sleepy.

So, kly...are you gonna drink beer or watch football?

I'm going to my sister's house.

I reminded her today to put new batteries in her smoke detector. She uses that as her cooking timer.

Eat leftovers and sleep. As usual

Hopefully, both. I just realized that I sounded like Homer Simpson in my first post.

"Will there be beer?"

I'm cooking for 13. Turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes with the little marshmallows on top, some white potatoes for those who don't like sweet, broccoli and asparagus. My mom is making a pumpkin pie and my daughter is baking a carrot cake.

Of course, just to add to the excitement, the valve on my refrigerator's icemaker broke, and I came downstairs to water everywhere this morning. I can't tell you what a mess I have right now, not to mention that the wood floor in my dining room is soaked, which I'm pretty sure does not bode well for its future.

But, it wouldn't be the Babe household if chaos didn't reign in one form or another!!!

I'll be going to 3 places to eat and visit with people then come home and watch the Colts game while Megan is working.

Well, I'm starting the day in Manhattan. I'll go down the Village to pick up my aunt relatively early. Then stop at my cousin's apartment. They live at Central Park West and 74th street, so you can look out the window and see the parade. My nieces and nephews will be with me, so they'll love it. Then it's up to Westchester for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner at my brother's house. A full day.

PB, I have to ask. Do you do pasta on Thanksgiving? It took me a few years to break my brother of the habit, but I finally stopped doing it. After pasta, nobody would eat the turkey, and I got sick of throwing it out!

We have to. Two words: my father.

I'd just assume not, but he's a big pain in the ass. This year, my sister-in-law (The Hungarian) is cooking, so her gravy might be enough to put him off it for a while.

I never had pasta on Thanksgiving...even at my in-laws, who are Italian.

We'll have turkey (I favor the dark meat), mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, green beans and stuffing. After that a few other assorted side dishes make an appearance. There'll be apple and pumpkin pies, and if my mother-in-law isn't too annoyed with me, maybe a slice of coconut cream pie.

My 93 year old grandmother, who is virtually blind, still bakes and cooks, and I can expect something good there too. While her lack of vision doesn't interfere with her cooking, it did create a problem on Thanksgiving a few years ago when she mistook the base of an artificial tree for an ashtray, and set the thing ablaze.

Drinking beer,eating food all day and watching football......

*heartbroken sigh*

What a an absolutely perfect sounding day...

you must excuse me now whilst i cycle to work in the pouring rain

I love Thanksgiving! My parents will be coming in town and we have invited a couple of stroke survivors that have no family to cpme over as well. Probably about 12-13 people to prepare for.

I am turkey man! I am going to deep-fry three turkeys. I am planning to "inject" each with a different flavor.
1. Creole Butter
2. Bar B Q
3. Garlic Butter

My son works today so we will not have the feast until 7 PM.

Howewver, we will have a brunch about 10 ish when my parents arrive.

I am so hungry now but just drinking coffee so I dont spoil the ole appetite!

Well, the turkey was delicious. The stuffing was moist, if a tad peppery, but that added a little zing, just not too everyone's taste. The broccoli was good, the asparagus tender and the sweet potatoes were great. The gravy didn't have one lump. All in all, a successful dinner.

I have a turkey wing in the fridge calling my name. I'm trying to decide if I have the strength to get off the couch to get it.

SB,

I thought I was the only one who liked Turkey Wings. As far as gravy, I suck at making gravy.

Sounds like your feast went well. Do you guys make the mushroom/green bean dish too?

TIS

My turkey leftovers (on toast with stuffing and gravy) are awesome!

Is anyone really big on cranberries?? Don't get me wrong, I couldn't have Thanksgiving without them, but must admit I am not crazy about them. I usually end up throwing away 75 percent of what I serve. Myself, I eat a small small portion but that's it.
I guess they are so traditional that I feel they are a must for the holiday. I don't know of any cranberry lovers in my family.


TIS

My mom taught me to make brown gravy when I was about 10, so I find it pretty easy. I use cornstarch instead of flour because it's easier to work with. Never add it when it's too hot, because that's what causes the lumps, and make sure to stir constantly. We originally started using corn starch because my dad had celiac disease, but it truly is easier to work with.

I don't like cranberries. I actually used to forget to buy them, because my husband and I don't eat them, but I got the hint when my mother-in-law started bringing her own can. Now my mom makes her own from scratch every year, and I serve that.

Call me a fake but I only eat cranberry sauce from a can. I cannot stand the homemade stuff.

If you don't use a can opener and hear the sluuurp of "dumping" the cranbery sauce I won't eat it.

Matter of fact I use to hate that also but not because of the taste. I always thoght they looked like beets which I hate and always associated the two. Not sure when I actually trid the cranberry sauce but quickly fel in love.

Also -- I am with SC. I love a good leftover sandwich - complete with turkey, stuffing, mash potatoes, gren beans, and, of course, cranbery sauce!

You know SB, I'm gonna try it with corn starch next time I make a roast or any meat with gravy. How about the water/meat juice ratio to the liquid and how will I know how much corn starch is enough without making it thick and chewy?

TIS

I use the strained meat juice and combine it with one cup of appropriate bullion (beef or chicken, depending on the meat), so that there's plenty of gravy. Then I mix two or three tablespoons of cornstarch in water, just enough so that it's pourable, but still has some substance. I add that to the meat juice/bullion combination and stir until it's dissolved. Then I turn the gas on medium, and keep stirring until it comes to a boil. It should be at the right consistency at that point. If it's not, turn off the gas and remove it from the heat. Then mix one more tbs. of cornstarch in water, and add it to the gravy, stirring briskly to make sure it doesn't lump. Then bring that back to a boil, and it should be just right. I also add some onion powder, salt and pepper, and few drops of Gravy Master.

Hope that helps!! Or was that WAY too much information???

No, not too much info at all SB. I like the detailed instructions. Thanks! I'm gonna give it a try next time I make gravy. I'll let you know if I mess it up.


TIS

I too avoid cranberry sauce, not that I hate it, but I prefer turkey with gravy only. I always have a cold turkey sandwich on Thanksgiving evening, and for that I usually have ketchup or gravy.

TIS, I doubt that you'll mess up!! I love brown gravy. As far as I'm concerned, there can never be enough of it.

I don't usually eat cranberry sauce but had it this Thanksgiving. It wasn't all that bad. Plus, there was a cranberry jello mold with other fruit that was quite tasty. I don't think I'll be a convert of cranberry sauce yet though.

Do people still eat turnips?

I can't say I ever buy them, but I would eat them if they were served. I'm not too picky with vegetables. I think I'll eat just about any for the most part.


TIS

As aq kid, I had an aversion to them, but my grandother made them every Thanksgiging. I think I would eat them now. I haven't seen them on a table for years.

I don't think I've ever had a turnip in my life. I feel so left out.