Best Thanksgiving side dish and why....

I cooked 6 turkeys last week for my daughter, who hosted an event for 100+ people at her college. To save time and better utilize oven space, I decontructed all the birds prior to cooking. I braised the dark meat the day before (got the idea from America's Test Kitchen). I deboned the breasts, and cooked them on the event day in a 400 deg oven for a bit over 45 mins. Juiciest breat meat I've ever tried. Then I bumped the temp to 500 deg and heated up the dark meat for 20 mins. You couldn't even tell it was reheated.

Definitely not the Norman Rockwell presentation, but I'll be using this technique on Thursday for our 22 people. So much less stress!
 
A few years ago I thought it would be fun to learn how to make homemade cranberry sauce. So, I did, and now I'm in charge of it every year. I love the chunkiness of the whole cranberries, the sourness when you take a bite with the combination of the sweet jelly. When it's fresh out the pot and nice and hot... oh boy... I almost eat it all.

I like adding a little pinch of cinnamon, gives it some more spice.
 
This year, I’m going to enjoy the best side dish ever: time with my family. Could very well be the last time we gather together.

And in that theme of time, I have *gasp* purchased delicious prepared items. Never do that!! But this year, there are a few. Things are particularly chaotic in our household for other reasons, so taking it easy.

So thankful for the blessings in my life 💙
 
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Collards. And home frozen fresh corn off the cob, prepared by the bride and moi (but previously by my dearly departed Mother-in-law). Unfortunately I can't eat collards anymore so I only get to swipe a bite, which I shouldn't have.

And really, aside from cranberries from a can, are there any bad sides? OK, maybe green bean casserole when not prepared by Capt MJ, in which case they go by their French name

Happy for those who will have family with them over the holidays, especially their military childen.
 
DD midsib is doing a southern Mac and cheese recipe she found. I’m doing herb roasted Turkey breast with spices CaptMJ recommended. Home made mashed Yukon potatoes with thyme. Silky gravy from the drippings, Yorkshire pudding, traditional green bean casserole, my godfathers cheesy broccoli casserole and good wine for me.
Haven’t discussed dessert but I may do a vanilla bean panacotta with a berry medley coulis. Light after a big meal.
Likely a salt rimmed, lime infused red beer post coffee to prep me for my labor. With a side of hugs from my MIDN.
 
kinnem said:
Collards. And home frozen fresh corn off the cob, prepared by the bride and moi (but previously by my dearly departed Mother-in-law). Unfortunately I can't eat collards anymore so I only get to swipe a bite, which I shouldn't have.

And really, aside from cranberries from a can, are there any bad sides? OK, maybe green bean casserole when not prepared by Capt MJ, in which case they go by their French name

Happy for those who will have family with them over the holidays, especially their military childen.
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i make collards (or turnip greens) pretty much weekly, and always make enough for leftovers. Best vegatable, ever!
 
We closed the Maine cabin on Wednesday and headed down to Georgia to spend Thanksgiving with our son and his GF. We’ve been laughing and hugging (and hugging) and talking ’til the wee hours. The men will be smoking the turkey this T-day, but I don’t care what we have. I’m with the two people I love most on the planet. The holiday is already here.
 
usafacellist2026 said:
A few years ago I thought it would be fun to learn how to make homemade cranberry sauce. So, I did, and now I'm in charge of it every year. I love the chunkiness of the whole cranberries, the sourness when you take a bite with the combination of the sweet jelly. When it's fresh out the pot and nice and hot... oh boy... I almost eat it all.

I like adding a little pinch of cinnamon, gives it some more spice.
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+1 to chunky.

x1000 for anyone born after 1990 who knows how to cook.

This isn't our exact recipe but its close enough. The key ingredients are the oranges (fresh OJ will work), balsamic vinegar, and fresh ginger. It is excellent on turkey sandwiches and keeps forever:

www.foodandwine.com

Cranberry, Ginger and Orange Chutney Recipe

This cranberry chutney tastes super-fresh because the cranberries are simmered briefly and sections of orange are added near the end of cooking.
www.foodandwine.com www.foodandwine.com

I grew up watching the adults eating the Ocean Spray gelatinous blob in the exact shape of a tin can.
 

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NJROTC-CC said:
Maybe we should all live our Thanksgiving like it will be the last we will all be together. This is life, not a dress rehearsal.
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Actually, in our family, it IS a dress rehearsal. We don’t officially pull back the curtain until we’re good and ready. Thank you, though.
 
NJROTC-CC said:
Maybe we should all live our Thanksgiving like it will be the last we will all be together. This is life, not a dress rehearsal.
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And make sure you reach out to those who can't be with their loved ones. Everyone should be around a big table on Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter...regardless of their faith tradition or where they were born.
 
justdoit19 said:
This year, I’m going to enjoy the best side dish ever: time with my family. Could very well be the last time we gather together.
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From the time our 2 kids committed to military schools several years ago we knew the day would come when they would not be able to make holidays and this is the year. Neither will be able to make it.

Thanksgiving was always my favorite holiday and we have hosted the Thanksgiving meal for 20 years or more (minus last year with Covid) and used to have 30+ people at the table(s) with family and extended family. Over the years we've lost some family members and others have started their own traditions as the young ones grow up, so the number has been steadily shrinking. This year will be the smallest group ever. Definitely not the same, but I guess that's life...
 
My all time fav side was trying to eat an entire half gallon of ice cream one thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving had started a few days earlier for us when we got extended in the field because of really bad weather .

The wing stayed home dry because it was raining too bad to fly and we sat in the jungle for an extra night or two after already having been out far to long ———and starved.

While in a really bad mood.

But the one thing that kept our spirts up a little was knowing that the choppers were now flying and it was thanksgiving And we would be feasting soon.

When we finally arrived back at Camp Reasoner we found out it was Wednesday.

The next day I tried to eat an entire half gallon of the first ice cream I had seen in months. It still remains my all time fav side.
 
It's funny what you remember, @Small Team Bacsi.

I spent the whole day working in the hot sun on a roof at Kadena AFB (I was at Futenma MCAS at the time) and the cold beers at the end were glorious. It was straight out of The Shawshank Redemption. Not a thanksgiving memory, but your post jogged it. ;)
 
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