STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

kmd · Kate Spade

Thanksgiving?

kmd · Kate Spade

by the way, I know that potentially soundend selfish, but I basically meant I just want to make sure everyone is happy with what they eat, including me. :)

greendiamond · Marc Jacobs

Do you have any specific dishes in mind you'd like to replace with an alternative?

I make Thanksgiving dinner every year, and I make the the traditional foods, but not the "traditional" recipies. No greenbean caserole or sweet potatoes with marshmallows on my table! But, the alternatives aren't too outlandish because I have some family members very well rooted in the classics.

Last year I asked how they felt about Crab Cakes instead of Turkey, and I feared my life! Not too many got on board...

kmd · Kate Spade

Well, there will definitely be Turkey. I'm trying to think of more non-traditional stuff that might play well with the traditional stuff because we'd all like some of the classics.

kmd · Kate Spade

Oh, and no shell fish, I'm allergic. :(

Suasoria · Chanel

My good friend, a vegan chef, does some twists. Instead of regular mashed potatoes he does mashed potatoes and yams (half and half).

He also make a delicious cold quinoa salad with walnuts, dried cranberries, diced celery, diced onion, and sage with simple olive oil as a dressing.

trixie · Kenneth Cole

For our family's Thanksgiving, I'm usually in charge of a side dish or two. Last year, I decided made a Butternut Squash Risotto, which turned out to be a big hit with everyone.

I think it would work for your situation, because it's using traditional flavors/foods in a new way. I found it pretty simple to make, but as with any risotto, requires some time and regular attention.

The recipe I used was from Rachael Ray.

But I know that you can find other versions on epicurious.com and foodnetwork.com. Hope that helps!

-- Edited by trixie at 10:43, 2008-10-22

relrel · Marc Jacobs

Stuffing is a pretty easy recipe to play with- you can add in meat or fruit or change up the type of bread (cornbread or wheat).

Luv2Shop · Kate Spade

We go to my grandparents and everything there is pretty much traditional as well. I am in charge of a side dish and instead of doing the typical bowl of yams out of a can with marshmallows and cinnamon, I like to make twice baked sweet potatoes. It's still traditional, but more fresh and everyone gets their own and can add marshmallows or more cinnamon or nuts as needed. Here's the recipe.

http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/recipes/twice-baked-sweet-potatoes-111250.aspx

greendiamond · Marc Jacobs

We have corn pudding (from Cuisine magazine, I think). It's a pretty big hit.

And, I make whipped cream potatoes instead of mashed. They stay warmer longer. This year I am going to try to make them vegan and see how they turn out (I'm going to test the recipe the week before. If they aren't the same I'll make them regular).

kmd · Kate Spade

Thanks for the ideas so far!

Domino13 · Nine West

This is not low cal, but works great with traditional Thanksgiving dishes, and adds a little extra zip, since it is a bit spicy.

Spinach Darienne

2 pkg Frozen chopped spinach
4 T butter
2 T flour
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1/2 cup of water drained from spinach
1/2 t pepper
3/4 t celery salt
3/4 t garlic powder
1 t Worchester sauce
8 ounces hot pepper cheese

Cook spinach drain and save 1/2 cup of water
Melt butter in saucepan, add flour and stir until smooth and flour is cooked. Add milk and spinach water. Cook until thick and smooth. I usually let it boil a bit, but I don't know if that is the right way to do it. Stir the entire time so it doesnt burn, and it stays smooth. Add seasonings and the cheese cut into cubes or shredded. Stir until melted. Combine with spinach. Put in a 1 1/2 quart corning wear (or similar dish) and sprinkle with bread crumbs. Bake in oven until bubbly.

Really tasty. Recipe sounds harder than it really is.

Cortney1982 · Chanel

My grandma made two kinds of fruity salads. One jello based and the other was more creamy. So good and nice to have something sweet on the plate!

Another thing she did was crab salad (the imitation kind if your not allergic to that) with cabbage greens, peas, green onions, and the special salad dressing. Everybody in my family loves it.

Just last year I tried making cranberry sauce homemade. Tons better than from the can. I never knew I was missing out!

This year I want to try to make sweet potatos that are mashed. I try finding a recipie but never seem to find the right one. I once had it in a Stouffers tv dinner and it was delish! Of course they don't make it anymore!

Luv2Shop · Kate Spade

Cortney1982 wrote:

This year I want to try to make sweet potatos that are mashed. I try finding a recipie but never seem to find the right one. I once had it in a Stouffers tv dinner and it was delish! Of course they don't make it anymore!

Courtney, on the same site I got the twice baked sweet potatoes recipe I posted above they have like 5 different mashed sweet potato recipies:

http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/search/SearchResults.aspx?searchtext=Sweet+Potatoes&u2=Sweet+Potatoes&scope=all&start=1&rsort=

I always go to Kraftfoods.com for recipies because they are usually really easy and have pictures. If I try to cook something without a pic, forget it. I guess I'm just a visual person! Let me know if you try any of them.

kmd · Kate Spade

I make mashed sweet potatoes just like regular mashed, except instead of pepper, etc., I use nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, salt, and a little all spice. They are AWESOME. Have to use a little more butter than usual, but it's Thanksgiving, so who cares? ;)

kmd · Kate Spade

Oh, I'd give specific measurements, but I do everything by eye- I think it's because I was an assistant chef for a few years. But, if you do it to taste, you really can't go wrong, in my opinion.

kmd · Kate Spade

So, what's the menu for you ladies?

Elle · Hermes

Suasoria wrote:

He also make a delicious cold quinoa salad with walnuts, dried cranberries, diced celery, diced onion, and sage with simple olive oil as a dressing.

Su, tell your vegan chef friend thank you for this! I make a mean summer quinoa salad and have been struggling over options for a cold-weather version. This is perfect!

We're having pretty traditional stuff, though I refused to cook a turkey this year. I don't care for it and it's such a hassle to prepare, besides the dinner at our house is going to be t-day round #2 for everyone invited. Husband is making a stuffed turkey breast roll-up thing instead. Yay for no turkey guts in my kitchen!

Mashing sweet potatoes on thanksgiving is punishable by death at our house. Only those that are sliced and fried in butter and brown sugar are allowed!