My inlaws have recruited me to be the host for Thanksgiving this year. I have to admit, although I have cooked thanksgiving before in the past for other people.. this one is making me nervous! Both my mother in law and one of my sister in laws cook really good so the pressure is on! So here is my question.l. does anybody have a recipe that will absolutely knock their socks off? I want to do something different that they will love and be surprised that I made. My menu is simple.. the basics.. turkey, candied yams, mac n cheese, greens, cranberry sauce and rolls. I need something else that can WOW them..
Well, dinner went great, it turns out I was nervous for nothing. Everything tasted great, and my new in-laws were impressed. They didnt think I could cook but now they know I can so I feel pretty good about that. I did go to the sites you all suggested and ended up trying something new in addition to the regular thanksgiving things, I made a pumpkin bread that was delicious. They loved it!
Hi Y., I can totally relate! i don't know if this recipe would work for a dessert but it is great with coffee.....I cheated and got it off the Pillsbury website but it is awesome. copy and paste this website to get the recipe. Of course try it first and see what you think but it is to die for!
http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/showrecipe.aspx?rid=12455
I agree! Go to foodnetwork.com and you will definitely find some good ideas. That's what I did last year when I had my in-laws over for Thanksgiving dinner. I got a recipe for dressing that has apples and sage sausage in it. It was something new but everyone loved it. Don't worry about it too much or you won't enjoy the holiday! I'm sure everything will turn out fine! Good luck!
Instead of candied yams, why don't you try a sweet potatoe casserol. Cook your potatoes/mash/add coconut/amount depends on size of casserole dish. 1/2 to 1cup. Add 3 TBS flour/1 egg/1cup brown sugar/ 1/2 to 1cup of granulated sugar/ 1 cup of pecans or walnuts broken up. 1 TBS of vanilla. 1teaspoon of cinnamon./ 1 stick of butter, preferably unsalted=melt/Mix all up and cook at 350 for 30 minutes or so/until bubbly on sides. add marshmellows and cook a few more minutes until lightly browed and showing melting a little. This was my grandmothers recipe and it is always a big hit!
Don't just open a can of cranberries. Make a wonderful relish to accompany your meal.
Cook cranberries/drain/ add 1 cup sugar or to taste.1/2 cup brown. Take an orange an put bits of peel into cranberry/3 TBS. Take manderin oranges/ drain from can.cut up a little. add/ Take walnuts or pecans. (1 egg white and brown sugar. Mix together and place on pan and cook for a few minutes.(you can make extra nuts this way and leave them in a bowl to eat!)When cooled add to mixed cranberry. Add 1 apple cut in very small pieces.Mix. Leave out approx, 30 minutes then put in frig. It is wonderful. Even my friends that do not like cranberry love it. Good luck!
Include something different in the dinner. EX: Spanish Rice. Arroz con gandules.
Make about 2 different desserts that look beautiful and taste delicious. You can try a strawberry shortcake made from SCRATCH. Just a few ideas.
I know that you are a bit nervous but don't be. Act like yourself and make them feel as if they were in their home. Make them feel comfy. Have your hubby buy his mom some flowers, so that way when they arrive he can give her the flowers. She'll love that and she'll know it was UR idea. Especially if he never gives her flowers. Make her feel special.
HINT: Treat like you would want your daughter in-law to treat you one day.
Good Luck and have an awesome Thanks Giving!!
Hi Y.,
I have one suggestion get on the www.FOODNETWORK.com. They have the greatest ideas and easy to follow. Good Luck.
I'm always a fan of the kraftfoods.com website and their magazine. They always have good ideas and I always like modifying them a bit to make them more mine. :) Most of what I'm doing this Thanksgiving for my MIL is from here. Yummy.
I found a new twist on mashed potatoes that my in laws ask for every year now. I use the Betty Crocker Instant Garlic Mashed Potatoes (fix as package says) Durkee Onions and cheese (I use medium cheddar). Put half the potatoes in a corning ware (or similar) dish then put a layer of durkee onions then sprinkle cheese, put the rest of the potaotes on top and bake @ 350 for about 20 min then add another layer of durkee onions and more cheese, let cheese melt and serve. Also the hershey web site has some great dessert recipes listed on it that sound easy and sooo good. Good Luck!
