Tuesday, November 15, 2011

menu, shopping list, plus some tips and tricks I've gathered in the last 7 years

My first semester in college and away from home, my mom emailed me her Thanksgiving menu and shopping list.  I thought that was so cool.  I have an exceptional mother.  I copy her a lot - hence this post.

Thanksgiving is my DH's very favorite holiday.  He spent last years' big day overseas with a bunch of dudes, not ideal, to say the least.  So the pressure is on to get it right for him this year!  He's gettin' the boys from church ready for some flag football, and then later no doubt he'll watch some games with Ben on TV, while I'm prepping up for some serious kitchen time.  I'm making my list, checking it twice, and the kiddos and I are making the trip to walmart after music lessons today!!  Wish me luck!  

The Florida Andrews Family 
Thanksgiving Day Menu

Oven Roasted Turkey with Stuffing
Mushroom Gravy
Dairy Free Mashed Potatoes
Candied Yams with Marshmallows
Baked Asparagus
Relish Tray
Oranged Cranberry Sauce
Crescent Rolls
Pumpkin Pie
Apple Pie
Lemon Meringue Pie
Sparkling Cider

The Shopping List
I read a few years ago a great tip for making your shopping lists.  The tip was to divide your list into four categories (I quarter my handwritten list by making a line down the middle top to bottom, and then one left to right).  The categories are Produce, Cold Items, Dry/Canned or Bottled Items, and Non-Food Items.  I simplify with Pro, Cold, Dry, and Non.  This has saved me so much time while shopping.  I don't have to do a lot of back and forth around the store while going through my list!  

So, thus categorized, here it is:

Pro
Oranges
2 lbs Cranberries 
baby carrots
celery
mushrooms
1 bag apples
2-3 lemons
asparagus
cherry tomatoes

Cold
orange juice
turkey
unsalted butter
Pillsbury crescent rolls
cream cheese
1 pre-made pie crust
heavy cream
whipped cream
egg nog

Dry
Sparkling Cider
Artichokes
baby dill pickles
baby sweet pickles
smoked oysters
hearts of palm
canned yams
graham cracker crumb pie crust
16 oz can pumpkin puree
dark brown sugar
turkey gravy packet
Stovetop stuffing mix
marshmallows

Non
candlesticks
dishwasher soap

Last year I discovered this recipe for Oranged Cranberry Sauce.  It's amazingly tasty.  It's a Jamaican recipe, and includes cinnamon.  It's my latest change to my evolving menu.  I'd also like to note that my dairy free mashed potatoes are my own recipe, and they're fabulous.  I bet if you did a blind test with mine and the dairy version, you wouldn't know which is which!

I still don't feel like I've mastered turkey roasting.  If you have tips to share, please pass them on!!  

I'll save a gratitude post for another time, but at the top of my list is having a husband home to cook for.  His favorite holiday just isn't as fun without him.  

6 comments:

  1. I love that your menu includes three pies! Have a great Thanksgiving Andrews family.

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  2. Oh My! It all sounds so Yummy! =) Wish we could join you all. Have fun & enjoy your time with your WHOLE family! =)

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  3. You sound so on top of things. The Harris clan will be at a nice restaurant this year but if we weren't you just might have gotten a knock on your door.

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  4. I'm in for the egg nog, the oysters, and the hearts of palm.

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  5. You are so smart to keep your list from year to year. What a time saver. So glad you will be together as a family. It is such a blessing that lots of people just take for granted.

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