As I mentioned in my last post, I bought my turkey last weekend and today I remembered to take it out of the freezer to thaw. (It’s the little victories, right?) I enjoy cooking Thanksgiving dinner and truly, I do not find it to be a big deal. Cooking a turkey is just like roasting a big chicken, right? My mom often made turkey when I was a kid — not just at Thanksgiving — so I guess it just never seemed like a big thing to me. We have a small group — just 6 of us — so I suppose that certainly helps!
Here’s what I’m planning on making (and prices if the item was purchased and not in my pantry already):
- Stuffed celery (celery will purchase fresh, olives I have, block of Philly cream cheese $1.99)
- Cranberry brie bites (need to purchase brie & crescent roll dough)
- Roast turkey (11.5 lb bird — $5.52. Tops Market always does a great sale for Thanksgiving and frozen turkeys were .48/lb with any purchase of $25)
- Crab cakes (we have a pescatarian in the family — will buy these fresh next week, planning on 8 @ 1.25 each)
- Gravy
- Mashed potatoes (bought a 5-lb bag for $2.50; 1-lb butter for 3.99)
- Stuffing (mother-in-law brings this)
- Cranberry sauce (.99/can)
- Brussels sprouts ($1.99/lb) & Butternut squash ($3.87/3-lb squash) with cranberries (.99/12-oz bag), pecans, and maple syrup
- Green beans (will purchase fresh next week)
- Cole slaw (will purchase mix fresh next week)
- Sourdough bread (Jake will make this with ingredients on hand)
- Bumbleberry pie (purchased for a school fundraiser — I think $22?)
And I think that’s about it. We have ginger ale and Diet coke, too. And of course coffee for the dessert! My favorite part is a late-night turkey sandwich while watching TV — can’t wait for that!
Hello! Your menu sounds delicious! We are getting the turkey tomorrow and hoping to find almost all the rest at the farmer’s market on Saturday. This will be the first year my kids will not be here for Thanksgiving. I am sad, but I understand. Like you, I always look forward to the leftovers!