As you probably already know, KC and I are hosting Thanksgiving this year for the very first time.  We’re breaking out our wedding china, every serving dish in the joint, and opening all bottles of wine we come into contact with.  It’s my first time making a turkey, and my first time hosting this many people for dinner (there’s only 11 of us, but it still seems like a lot to me!)  I’m keeping my fingers crossed that everything goes smoothly.

With that, here’s the menu for the day, linked up to the recipes I’m planning to use:

Pre-Dinner

• Appetizers: I bought big wedges of cheese (1, 2, 3, and some kind of herbed, soft brie-type cheese I can’t remember the name of) at Costco, which I plan to serve with cured meats, crackers, and other accoutrements.
• Drinks: champagne, sparkling rosé, and prosecco.

Dinner

• Roast Turkey: Because, obviously, right?  I got a 20lb organic, free-range bird, and I’m keeping things simple (no frying, smoking, what-have-you — just good ol’ roast turkey).
• Gravy: I’ve actually made this recipe before on a couple occasions, and it’s turned out perfectly delicious every time.  So, why mess with a good thing, right?  Right.
• Mashed Potatoes: I don’t have a standard recipe for these (I mean, do you need a recipe to make mashed potatoes?  I’m going with no.), but I bought a huge bag of russets at Costco + the 4lb pack of butter, so I think I’m good.
• Stuffing: My sister is doing the stuffing (and, technically, I guess it’s dressing because I’m pretty sure we’re not actually stuffing the bird…)
• Green Bean Casserole: My brother is making this, so I’m sure it will be made the traditional way (complete with Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom Soup and French’s French Fried Onions.  Although, we do draw the line at canned green beans.)
• Salad: My sister is making this (Yes, I asked for a lot of help since it’s my first year!  Not to mention that I have some very talented cooks in my family.)
• Cranberry Sauce: My mom is making this (from scratch!)  No cans here 🙂
• Bread: I’m not even gonna act like we’re above these.  Because we’re not.  And they’re delicious.
• Drinks: white wine & red wine & beer

Post-Dinner

• Pumpkin Pie: I’ve made this pie a few times now, and it always gets rave reviews.  I’m not actually a fan of pumpkin pie, but KC is, so I like to make this as a special treat for him.
• Chocolate Pie: My mom is making this.  She makes it every year, and despite the easy recipe, it always gets gobbled up in about 3 minutes flat.
• Holiday Spice Cake: My sister is making the last dessert, and I think is planning on some kind of holiday cake (though I don’t know exactly what recipe she’s using because I don’t think she’s decided on one yet).
• Drinks: coffee (gotta combat all the tryptophan!)

*Oh, and in case you’re thinking that KC is getting off scot-free, he’s in charge of getting ice, entertaining the guests before dinner, making sure people know where to get drinks, and keeping everybody out of the kitchen! 😉

I hope you have the happiest of Thanksgivings, and a great long weekend!