Thanksgiving Feast On A Budget

Planning and preparing a delicious spread of turkey, gravy, and all the fixings doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are seven tips to help you keep more cash in your wallet this Thanksgiving season:

Split up the Cooking Responsibilities

 

Divvy up the Thanksgiving meal responsibilities so no one has to purchase and make all the food themselves. Not only does it make a lot less work, but it can also provide more variety in your menu, too.

Use What You Have on Hand

 

Look in your cupboards, refrigerator, and freezer to see what you already have on hand that might make the beginnings of a Thanksgiving dish. Type the ingredients you find into your pantry the ingredient search feature and it will generate a list of recipe ideas for you based upon what ingredients you have.

Simplify Your Menu

 

Do you really need fifteen different dishes on your Thanksgiving buffet? Consider simplifying and just sticking with your very favorites; it’ll save you a lot of time and effort—not to mention money!

Plan Your Menu Based on What’s on Sale

 

If possible, start looking at the store sales fliers a few weeks before Thanksgiving. Grocery stores typically rotate their best sales each week, so if you can stock up on their rock-bottom deals for a few weeks preceding Thanksgiving, you’ll end up paying a lot less for the groceries you need to make Thanksgiving dinner.

Check for Coupons Online Before Shopping

 

Before you head to the store, check the coupon database on moneysavingmom.com to see if any printable coupons are available for products you’re planning to purchase. For a few minutes of time, you’ll probably be able to save at least a few dollars—if not more!

Make Food Ahead of Time

 

Instead of purchasing expensive food pre-made or pre-packaged in order to save time, cook as much Thanksgiving food ahead of time as you can. A few fantastic make-ahead items are Mashed Potatoes , Butterhorn Rolls , and Slab Apple Pie.

Buy Extra Turkeys

 

Turkey is a great source of inexpensive protein, especially when you can get it at the bargain prices available during Thanksgiving! Take advantage of the turkey sales by buying extra turkeys to stick in the freezer. Then, you can thaw and bake them throughout the year to use in recipes that call for chopped turkey or chicken.

While you’re buying extra turkey for your own freezer, consider buying an extra turkey to give to another needy family or donate to the local homeless shelter. We have so much to be thankful for—let’s pass on the blessing to others, too!

What to Wear for Thanksgiving

 

Dress to impress and take advantage of these tips for what to wear for Thanksgiving. Base your style of dress on the type of Thanksgiving dinner event. Determine whether dinner is casual, dressy, or formal. Add accessories to create a little bit of “pop” to your outfit.


Here are some pointers about what to wear on Thanksgiving:

•Casual: Keep it simple for a casual Thanksgiving. Dig a pair of khaki pants out of your closet and complement your pants with a nice, pressed button down shirt, blouse, or sweater. Appreciate that khaki is a neutral color. In other words, the possibility of a mismatch of colors is fairly slim. Accessorize your outfit with a black or brown belt and shoes. Make sure the belt and shoes are the same color!

•Dressy: Impress family and friends at a dressy Thanksgiving with your best attire. Women should consider a black dress, nylons, and heels for a feminine look. Add a personal touch with patterned tights and a pop of color with colorful heels. For men, wear a suit, button down shirt, and tie along with socks that match your shoe color. Shave for Thanksgiving, and leave the scruff for Black Friday. Dress little girls in a dress, tights, and mary janes. Dress little boys in suit pants and a button down shirt. Incorporate fall colors such as brown, orange, and red into your look.

•Formal: For men's and women's formal wear, think suits. Wear a traditional colored suit such as gray, black, or tan. Step it down a notch with a pair of khaki pants, a button down shirt, tie, and sports jacket. Dress the kids in a skirt, tights, and sweater or a pair of pants, button down shirt, and jacket.


Call in advance of your Thanksgiving event to check how to dress for Thanksgiving. Remember to visit your dry cleaner ahead of time!

Recreate the First Thanksgiving

 

The first Thanksgiving feast is legendary. This is, after all, what began the Thanksgiving tradition. This year, host a truly traditional holiday feast that mimics the first Thanksgiving menu. This historically inspired Thanksgiving party will be a festive way to celebrate the holidays.


You might think that this feast would be the same as what we now eat at Thanksgiving. Our modern-day meal is modeled after the first Thanksgiving meal, after all. It may be surprising to learn that the first Thanksgiving foods were actually not the same as those we eat at Thanksgiving today.

 

Take a look at the suggestions below to start planning a menu full of the first Thanksgiving food:

•Mains: It may come as a surprise that the main dishes served at the first Thanksgiving feast were not the same as the dishes we eat now. While the pilgrims would have had turkey, they would have also enjoyed numerous other meats. This all depended upon what was seasonally available. At the time, popular meats were waterfowl and venison as well as seafood such as lobster and clams. We don’t usually think of Thanksgiving as a time to eat seafood, but for an authentic Thanksgiving menu, be sure to include a seafood portion.

•Sides: Side dishes would have also been created based on what ingredients were available at the time. Familiar ingredients would have included pumpkin and berries, such as cranberries. Corn was also a major part of this meal. However, it is unlikely that corn on the cob was served, as this preparation was considered suitable for peasants. Rather, corn may have been eaten in the form of “samp,” a corn-based oatmeal. Onions were another popular side dish at the time and would pair well with the rest of the dishes in a traditional Thanksgiving meal.

•Dessert: Unlike the meal we know and love today, dessert was not actually a major part of the first Thanksgiving menu. Favorite items, like pies, were probably not very popular at the time. This was due to the limited sugar supply brought by the pilgrims on their ships, as well as the fact that there were no ovens. However, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t make your favorite pie for Thanksgiving! For a traditional dessert, whip up a batch of pudding to accompany your pies, or experiment with a classic bread pudding.


These are just a few suggestions for an original menu, just like the one eaten on the first Thanksgiving. To truly celebrate this holiday the right way, be sure to include a “giving thanks” portion in which everyone at your table says what they are thankful for. This may or may not have been something the original Thanksgiving guests did, but it will certainly emanate the original feelings that inspired the first Thanksgiving meal. Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Table Decorating


Show your holiday excitement with beautiful and creative Thanksgiving table decorating ideas. Brainstorm color schemes, centerpieces, place settings and place cards for decorating ideas. Include lots of fall colors, fall scents and fall décor.

 

Table decorating ideas for Thanksgiving:

•Color scheme: Celebrate Thanksgiving with a display of warm and inviting colors. Incorporate a color scheme of red, orange, yellow and brown in your celebration. Include these fall colors in your Thanksgiving dinner table ideas, centerpieces, place settings and place cards. Prepare food (such as cranberry jello mold) and make mixed drinks (such as Cape Codders) that incorporate harvest colors as well.

•Centerpieces: Create beautiful fall centerpieces for your Thanksgiving celebration. For simple and easy centerpieces, purchase mums from your local florist. Select colors like red, orange, and yellow and then send the flowers home with guests at the conclusion of your Thanksgiving meal. For a more complex centerpiece idea, place a red, orange, yellow or brown table runner on the table. Add several small vases along the runner. Fill the vases with colorful fall flowers or pinecones. For a warm glow, add votive candles with an apple, cinnamon or pecan scent.

•Place settings: Plan festive place settings for each guest at Thanksgiving. Serve guests on your best china for a formal meal or new Thanksgiving-themed plates for a festive and fun dinner. Use plain plates and add Thanksgiving accents with napkins, napkin holders, and cups. Go all out and decorate

Thanksgiving Activities for the Whole Family

 

Entertain those you love during turkey day this year with practical and fun Thanksgiving activities for families. Plan Thanksgiving family activities suitable for all age groups, young and old. Choose from Thanksgiving fun activities such as walks, board games, and crafts.

 

Take advantage of these family Thanksgiving activities to keep busy:

•Walks: Take the family out for walks both before and after the Thanksgiving meal, and tell guests to bring jackets to prepare for chilly weather. Base the length of the walk on the ages and physical abilities of guests. Walk one lap around the neighborhood, or go all the way to the local park. Bring strollers for infants and toddlers, and bundle them up in warm blankets. Offer bottles of water to guests before you leave the house.

•Board games and card games: Gather user-friendly board games to play with family during Thanksgiving. Choose games that allow for a number of different players so you can adapt the game for the group. Play a combination of board games and card games. Plan a game of “Go Fish,” play a round of Monopoly, or have fun with a challenging game of Uno. Offer prizes to motivate guests to participate in the games.

•Crafts: Plan a craft activity for the entire family during Thanksgiving. Provide supplies such as leaves, acorns, pine needles, and festive stickers to make a Thanksgiving collage . Have guests use a glue gun or other non-toxic glue options to stick the items to cardstock. For another idea, have each guest create a patch for a quilt. Put the quilt together at a later date and send pictures to the Thanksgiving guests.


Mix it up a bit and ask guests to bring activities from their home to yours. Enjoy these fun Thanksgiving activities and cherish the quality time spent together with family and friends.

 

Refrigerate leftovers.

Tips for a Healthy Thanksgiving

Give thanks, save the big calories for the December holidays, and celebrate a healthy Thanksgiving this year. Even though this holiday is all about feasting on over-the-top dishes, with a few helpful tips you can easily make your Thanksgiving healthy. Here are some ways you can find healthy Thanksgiving recipes and enjoy everything in moderation.

 

Chow down on these tips for a healthy Thanksgiving:

•Exercise: Exercise both before and after your Thanksgiving meal. Take the family out for a nice Thanksgiving walk, get some fresh air, and burn off Thanksgiving calories. Getting out and about between dinner and dessert will make sure everyone has room for pie without feeling too stuffed.

•Substitutes: Use sugar substitutes instead of sugar, margarine instead of butter, and yogurt instead of sour cream. Serve sugar free coffee cake and apple pie for dessert. Top it with sugar free yogurt instead of ice cream.

•Eat slowly: It is much better for your metabolism to eat slowly and take small bites. Plus, if you take your time when you chew your food, it’ll last longer!

•Alcohol: Reduce your caloric intake and go easy on the alcohol. Try water, watered down fruit juice, or seltzer water with a lime wheel in place of alcoholic beverages.

•Gravy: Skip the gravy this year, or opt for a reduced fat option.

•Portion control: Keep track of the food on your plate. Eat in moderation and use portion control. Skip the option for seconds. There will be plenty of leftovers to enjoy in the days to come. Take advantage of the opportunity to try a little bit of everything, but limit your portion to a heaping tablespoon rather than several spoonfuls.

•Healthy Thanksgiving recipes: Skip the sweet potato casserole made with the margarine, brown sugar, and marshmallows. Serve baked sweet potatoes instead. Top them with a sprinkle of cinnamon, brown sugar, and a spritz of low calorie butter spray. They’re plenty sweet just on their own! Instead of pie, consider heaping bowls of fruit salad.


Follow tips for a healthy turkey day and enjoy a Thanksgiving without the guilt!

How to Make Homemade Gravy

 

Thanksgiving is a great time of year to gather with friends and family and show off your cooking skills. But no Thanksgiving is complete without great gravy to go with your turkey! Making homemade gravy is a great way to step up the flavor and impress your guests. It can seem daunting to make homemade gravy from scratch, but all you really need a great Thanksgiving gravy recipe and the tricks of the trade.

 

Start out with these basic tips on how to make homemade gravy and then try out a recipe:

• The base of any good gravy is a roux—equal parts fat and flour mixed and cooked on a stove top until slightly browned

• The second important step is to add 4 -6 parts liquid and simmer on the stove top

• The last key ingredient is seasoning


Using different types of fat and liquid will make different types of gravy. For example, you can make homemade chicken gravy using chicken stock and chicken fat, or homemade turkey gravy from turkey drippings. You can also add in extras like mushrooms, onions, or garlic to really boost the flavor. Try this recipe for this Thanksgiving.

Homemade Gravy with Mushrooms Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 cups unsalted butter

• 1 pound portobello mushrooms

• 2 pounds whole white mushrooms

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 4 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth

• 1 ½ cups turkey pan drippings

• 2 cups chopped onions

• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

• salt and pepper to taste


Directions:

Melt the butter in a saucepan on medium heat. Clean the mushrooms by wiping them down with a paper towel, and then sauté them in the butter until completely cooked and browned (about 1-1½ minutes). Remove the mushrooms, and chop them coarsely. Add the flour to the butter in the pan and whisk together, cooking for about 20 minutes, or until medium-deep brown. Add the chicken stock and simmer to thicken. In a separate pan, add the turkey drippings and onions, and cook over medium heat until the onions are brown (about 20 minutes). Add this mixture to the gravy and simmer for another 20 minutes. Then add the mushrooms and seasonings and keep warm until serving.

This homemade gravy recipe is sure to impress your guests! Feel free to add or subtract extra ingredients to make your own special homemade brown gravy, but remember the basic tips!

Easy Thanksgiving Appetizers


Appetizers for Thanksgiving are an important part of any Thanksgiving meal. They are the start to your meal, and after working long and hard to prepare your Thanksgiving feast you’ll want to start off on the right foot. Secondly, people will be hungry in between their arrival and when you sit down for the big meal. This means that it’s important to set out Thanksgiving appetizers to tide them over.

 

If you’re a guest and not a host this year, it’s a good idea to offer to bring an appetizer to the party. Your host will be grateful for the help! If you’re looking for Thanksgiving appetizer recipes to bring to a dinner party or are in need of simple Thanksgiving appetizers for your guests this year, here are some ideas to inspire your culinary creativity:

•Baked brie with cranberry chutney: Baked brie is a crowd pleaser. You can find it at specialty cheese shops or in the frozen foods section at the grocery store. If you pick up a premade, frozen variety, simply follow the instructions on the box to bake it in the oven. Make sure to get some delicious cranberry chutney to accompany the brie. Either layer it on top of the baked brie or put it in a dish on the side. The cranberry flavor will add a seasonal touch to the cheese. Serve the baked brie with crackers or bread so guests can slather slices with this warm delight.

•Prosciutto-wrapped asparagus: For this dish, simply blanch, steam, or grill some asparagus and wrap them individually with slices of prosciutto. For more flavor, add a little olive oil and sprinkle with some black pepper and salt to taste.

•Crostini: Make an assortment of crostini—small, toasted slices of bread or crackers with delicious toppings. To make these treats, first get some baguette or plain bagel chips. Thinly slice the baguette and toast it until crispy. Then, add the toppings. You can slather on red pepper hummus topped with roasted red pepper, chive cream cheese with a slice of cucumber on top, or goat cheese with dried cranberries and sliced walnuts on top. The key to making crostini is simply to have a sticky base that you can then top with other items so that nothing falls off.

•Shrimp cocktail: For a classic favorite, create a shrimp cocktail. This is a nice way to incorporate seafood into the Thanksgiving meal, and it is extremely easy to prepare. Just buy shrimp and cocktail sauce, cook the shrimp, and arrange it nicely on a platter.

•Butternut squash apple soup: For a fun appetizer, put out small “shots” of soup in glass or plastic ramekins or shot-sized cups. Arrange the cups on a platter and then pour the soup into each one. You can use any kind of soup for this, although butternut squash is a terrific option. A hint of apple adds a bit of seasonal spice to this soup base. Make sure to have small spoons and a recycling bin nearby so that people can throw away their cups when they are done.

•Tomato and mozzarella bites: Slice tomato and mozzarella and place one slice on top of the other. Then, cover the top piece with a dollop of pesto. Serve with a side of crackers or bread and watch your guests gobble up these simple and delicious little bites.


Enjoy these easy Thanksgiving appetizer recipes. Check your grocery store for premade or packaged appetizer options, such as pre-wrapped prosciutto mozzarella rolls, frozen biscuits, and more. Happy Thanksgiving!

How to Make Cranberry Sauce


Learn how to make cranberry sauce and create one of the main staples at a Thanksgiving holiday meal. Use a combination of ingredients such as cranberries, brown sugar, honey, and orange juice to make a delicious Thanksgiving cranberry sauce for family and friends.


Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe


Ingredients:

• 1 package (about 12 ounces) of cranberries

• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar

• 1/4 cup honey

• 1 cup orange juice


Directions:


Combine the brown sugar, the honey, and the orange juice in a pan. Dissolve the mixture over medium heat on the stove. Wash the cranberries, stir them into the mixture, and cook for about ten minutes or until the cranberries pop over the heat. Add chopped pecans, raisins, and walnuts for an extra zing. Remove the sauce from the heat and pour it into a serving dish. Let the mixture cool and then let it set in the refrigerator. Once firm, serve the cranberry sauce to your Thanksgiving guests in decorative bowls. Place one bowl at each end of the table because this dish is sure to be a hit!


Enjoy this tart, tangy favorite at your Thanksgiving dinner. Bon appétit.

Thanksgiving Cakes

 

Every Thanksgiving feast needs something sweet as the finale. In addition to serving the traditional pies, make a variety of Thanksgiving cakes as part of the dessert table. There's no such thing as too much dessert, but if there are leftovers, simply freeze and serve at the next holiday celebration! Ask friends and family for their favorite Thanksgiving cake recipes and get the dessert party started.

 

Find inspiration in these Thanksgiving cake ideas:

• Commission a local bakery to make a Thanksgiving cake for your celebration. They can customize the type to fit the season. Try a pumpkin or cranberry flavored cake!

• Make a simple vanilla cake and frost with your favorite frosting. Decorate with dried cranberries, shaved chocolate, and sprigs of mint.

• Bake a carrot cake! It's a perennial favorite and fits the season.

• For Thanksgiving cake decorating ideas, top a cake with edible chocolate pinecones, leaves, or a turkey. The simpler, the better!


If you're in the mood to make everything yourself, try a new Thanksgiving cake recipe with a traditional gingerbread flavor:


Gingerbread Cake Recipe


Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 cup butter, melted

• 1/4 cup brown sugar

• 1/2 cup molasses

• 1 egg

• 1 cup hot water

• Whipped cream as frosting (optional)


Directions:


Heat oven to 325 degrees and grease/flour a square pan. Combine flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt in a mixing bowl. Stir together the butter, brown sugar, molasses, egg, and water separately. Add this to dry ingredients and beat with an electric mixer on medium for a minute. Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 40 minutes. Serve with whipped cream or fresh fruit.


As a special twist on a more traditional cake, and serve a variety of flavored Thanksgiving cake pops. Most bakeries and specialty cafes make them to order, so ask for an assortment of flavors in different colors and toppings.

Easy Holiday Turkey

 

 

1. Rub the turkey all over with real mayonnaise.

2. Sprinkle paprika on top.

3. Make an aluminum-foil tent and put over the turkey and cook at 325 degrees for the appropriate time for the size of the turkey.

4. Remove the tent during the last 30 minutes, so the turkey will be golden brown.

Turkey Hunt: A Bird Buying Guide


 

1. Heritage turkeys are old-fashioned breeds-typically with a more elongated frame and leaner breast meat than the standard supermarket bird-that farmers like Frank Reese of Good Shepherd Poultry Ranch in Tampa, Kansas, are raising again, and we couldn't be happier about it. You'll pay top dollar because these turkeys live outdoors, eat a vegetarian diet without antibiotics, and take nearly twice as long to raise as commercial birds, but they boast a much fuller flavor. Their delicious, lean meat is well suited for braising, as in the Turkey with Sauerkraut, Riesling, and Pork Sausages recipe.

2. Butterball's premium young frozen turkeys are "pre-basted"-that is, injected with a solution that includes salt (so there's no need for brining), starch, and sodium phosphate, which keeps the turkey juicy. Roast a Butterball whole, or cut one into parts to make the Roast Turkey with Root Vegetables and Gravy recipe.

3. Turkeys labeled "natural," like the ones sold by Ashley Farms in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, are typically grain fed and raised antibiotic- and hormone-free. You can order one from a butcher or specialty store; the cost is generally more per pound than for a conventionally raised bird. We recommend brining these turkeys to boost their flavor and juiciness; for recipes like the Sage-Brined Roast Turkey with Oyster Dressing, there's nothing better.

 

4. Kosher turkeys are processed according to Jewish dietary law under rabbinical supervision; salting, part of the process, makes them moist and flavorful. We like relatively inexpensive brands such as Kosher Valley and Empire Kosher

Holidays Memory Tablecloth

 

1. Select a tablecloth to be used each holiday year. Buy a permanent-ink, felt-tip pen.

2. Have each person, from granddad to grandkids, autograph it with their name or comment.

3. After the gathering, wash it in cold water and to dry, put on low heat or air dry. 4. Embroider over the names and comments. It will be a valued family keepsake.

Thanksgiving cooking hotline help phone numbers 

Despite your best intentions you can have a cooking or food stain emergency on Thanksgiving. We've complied a list of company hotline phone numbers and websites with tips to help make your holiday a successful one.

POULTRY HELP

Butterball Turkey-Talk Line

(800)-288-8372

Daily holiday hours: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Thanksgiving hours: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

 

Empire Kosher Poultry Hotline

(800) 367-4734

Monday to Thursday hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Friday hours: 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

 

Foster Farms Turkey Helpline

(800) 255-7227

11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Thanksgiving week hours: 24 hours a day

 

Honeysuckle White Help Line

(800) 810-6325

24-hour automated tip line

 

Perdue Chicken Customer Service Hotline

(800) 473-7383

Day before Thanksgiving hours: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Thanksgiving hours: 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

 

Reynolds Wrap Turkey Tipsline

(800) 745-4000

24-hour automated tip line

 

Shady Brook Farms Dial-A-Chef Holiday Hotline

(888) 723-4468

24-hour automated culinary helpline

 

U.S. Department of Agriculture Poultry Hotline

(888) 674-6854 or (800) 535-4555

Weekday hours: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Thanksgiving hours: 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

 

BAKERY HELP

Betty Crocker Hotline

(888) 275-2388

Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

 

Crisco Pie Hotline

(877) 367-7438

Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

 

Fleischmann's Yeast Baker Hotline

(800) 777-4959

Weekday hours: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

 

Libby's Consumer Hotline

(800) 854-0374

Weekday hours: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

 

Nestle Toll House Baking Information Line

(800) 637-8537

Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

 

CRANBERRY HELP

Ocean Spray Consumer Hotline

(800) 662-3263

Weekdays: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

 

FOOD STAIN HELP

Clorox Holiday Stain Hotline

(877) 782-4641

24-hour automated tip line

 Did you know that Big Bird’s costume is made from 4,000 turkey feathers? Or that female turkeys do not say “gobble gobble”? In America, turkey is the centerpiece for our biggest food holiday celebration: Thanksgiving. But what do we really know about the history of this beloved bird, and how did it become the star of our holiday feast?

 

 The ancient Aztecs living in Mexico were the first to domesticate wild turkeys. In the pre-Columbian years, wild turkeys could be found in large numbers from the Eastern coast of North America to Honduras. In 1519, when the Spanish came to Mexico, they were met with a bounty of both wild and domesticated turkeys. By the following year, they had introduced domesticated turkeys to the Caribbean and eventually to Spain. It didn’t take long before they were widespread throughout the Mediterranean and Western Europe. By 1550, they had arrived in England. When the English colonists first arrived in America, wild turkeys were a welcome sight, as they were already familiar with eating and preparing the bird. They were also easy to hunt in the hard winter months, as they were clearly visible in the snow. Once colonies were established, settlers began importing domesticated turkeys from England to America.