topic Re: What do you fix for Thanksgiving when there are only two of you? in Kitchen

What do you fix for Thanksgiving when there are only two of you?

nomar — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 23:42:08 GMT

There are just the two of us, hubby and wife. I do not want to do the traditional dinner.

Re: What do you fix for Thanksgiving when there are only two of you?

deeva — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 23:45:14 GMT

I'm going with ham instead of turkey. And probably smaller servings of the sides.

Re: What do you fix for Thanksgiving when there are only two of you?

denisemb — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 23:46:39 GMT

Maybe fix a favorite "special meal"? My sister's family aren't turkey fans, so prepare king crab legs; you could have surf and turf, prime rib, lasagna, whatever you like.

It's just DH & myself, but we love the traditional t-day, we just do a scaled down version.

Re: What do you fix for Thanksgiving when there are only two of you?

chickenbutt — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 23:47:47 GMT

I make the full meal every year for the two of us. Now, that said, I don't do 10-20 courses like a lot of people here seem to do. We cannot eat that much food! I make four basic courses (turkey, dressing, mashers, and a veg), gravy, and one dessert. That is more than enough.

But we both really love turkey so it's usually the one time in a year that I roast one. It's some work, to be sure, but there are a zillion servings in a 14-15lb turkey. I am able to freeze a bunch of packets of slices, one breast half, and at least one 2lb packet of pieces to make a huge batch of turkey chili.

He really loves the dressing, the mashers, and the veg (I usually do some sort of saute), and the gravy so I just make it for that reason.

Years ago I went the 'going out' route and that was great too. There is a casino with a top-notch buffet that always did (probably still does) a good Thanksgiving buffet. I've also gone through periods of inviting friends over and cooking for them. That's always fun.

I know how it seems to cook all that stuff for just two people but if you really like it, why not. If you don't really love it, just make whatever you want like any other day. I don't feel like there are any rules.

Re: What do you fix for Thanksgiving when there are only two of you?

Jump4joy2 — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 23:48:29 GMT

Personally, I would not cook at all! Why not eat out? I wish I had that option ~~ so tired of cooking! I am always the cook and never the guest!

Re: What do you fix for Thanksgiving when there are only two of you?

JustJules — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 23:50:48 GMT

Last year my Thanksgiving was just myself and my dad and I made the traditional dinner with a 15lb turkey because he liked the leftovers and I always make turkey soup. This year it is just me, but I still think I will make a small turkey and some of the sides. You and your husband could have cornish game hens or fix a small ham or roast beef, or even a seafood dish. The options are endless, you can still celebrate the purpose of Thanksgiving without the traditional turkey, just start your own traditions and be thankful for each other.

Re: What do you fix for Thanksgiving when there are only two of you?

65and fabulous — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 23:51:46 GMT

I like the Barefoot Contessa's roasted chicken. Roasted potatoes, peas with mint, and pumpkin muffins........delicious and nap-worthy! I make us some Irish coffee with Bailey's Irish Crème and a great cake or pie for desert.

Re: What do you fix for Thanksgiving when there are only two of you?

IControlMyHappiness — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 23:52:09 GMT

it is just the two of us also, I do a cominbation thing...I go to a local church here in DC that sells turkey dinners and I buy 2 dinners the day before....then on thanksgiving day, I bake a small kansas city ham and a ms. smith apple pie and one or two of the St. Clair sides....that the house can have that "nice" cooking food smell.

Then I get out our plates, and put the turkey dinner on the plates while we can cut up the ham and that is it.

I found we had too much leftovers to freeze when I did a lot of cooking so I buy the meals then only have maybe some hame to freeze.

Re: What do you fix for Thanksgiving when there are only two of you?

goodstuff — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 23:55:21 GMT

Restaurant reservations! We've done this for the past few Thanksgiving dinners, and it absolutely ROCKS! No cooking, no clean-up, and you don't necessarily have to have the traditional turkey dinner if you'd prefer steak, shrimp, or lamb chops. Highly recommend this approach.

Re: What do you fix for Thanksgiving when there are only two of you?

kittymomNC — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 23:58:12 GMT

I cook the same for two as I would for 10 - I just don't make as much. Turkey and dressing, a potato dish, gravy, a couple of veggie dishes, deviled eggs, rolls, then either sweet potato casserole or pumpkin pie for dessert. We love this kind of meal, and also love leftovers, which is one of the main reasons I cook it. I can freeze a lot of the turkey to use later, make a turkey casserole (or two small ones and freeze one of those), turkey salad (which actually can be frozen as well), all kinds of things to do with leftovers. You don't have to have "Thanksgiving dinner" every day for a week. The only thing that's gone in a hurry is the dessert!

Re: What do you fix for Thanksgiving when there are only two of you?

3star — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 00:20:07 GMT

Cornish game hens, wild rice, veggies and a decadent dessert.

Re: What do you fix for Thanksgiving when there are only two of you?

chickenbutt — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 00:35:44 GMT

On 11/19/2014 kittymomNC said:
I cook the same for two as I would for 10 - I just don't make as much. Turkey and dressing, a potato dish, gravy, a couple of veggie dishes, deviled eggs, rolls, then either sweet potato casserole or pumpkin pie for dessert. We love this kind of meal, and also love leftovers, which is one of the main reasons I cook it. I can freeze a lot of the turkey to use later, make a turkey casserole (or two small ones and freeze one of those), turkey salad (which actually can be frozen as well), all kinds of things to do with leftovers. You don't have to have "Thanksgiving dinner" every day for a week. The only thing that's gone in a hurry is the dessert!

This is probably super-lame, but one of my favorite leftover things is a really basic turkey sandwich - whole grain bread, put butter on both slices (not heavily) and then just the turkey. So good!

Re: What do you fix for Thanksgiving when there are only two of you?

LeaLeander — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 00:42:13 GMT

Yes, nothing beats an old-fashioned turkey sandwich. Though mine must have mayonnaise and French's mustard.

Cooking for two I would make a boneless turkey breast ahead of time and then put it out cold in early afternoon with an array of condiments, cheeses, olives & pickles & relishes, crackers and breads, raw veggies and dip, some decadent potato chips (those exotic kettle varieties) for crunch, deviled eggs etc. and just have a pleasant afternoon of snacking on turkey sandwiches (make some bacon strips to turn them into club sandwiches if desired) and other treats. Maybe even toss in some baked potatoes to be eaten with some of the above items as toppings.

Football or holiday movies -- what more could be asked? And cleanup a snap -- just Saran Wrap the plates and continue to nosh throughout the weekend.

Re: What do you fix for Thanksgiving when there are only two of you?

Pickwickpapers — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 00:46:24 GMT

Enjoy the traditional turkey and dressing but instead do a small turkey breast with gravy and cornbread dressing ..........scalloped potatoes ................roasted broccoli. ...............green salad.........cranberry orange salad............Homemade apple cobbler...........enough for leftovers the next day or so...........freeze any turkey leftover to use in soups. .......usually only do dressing once a year. Have tried to dine out but it has been too hectic...........have a late breakfast ........snack during the day while watching the parades and football ........... and try to dine about 4 p.m. ...........prep much of the food the day before ........

Re: What do you fix for Thanksgiving when there are only two of you?

Didiville — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 00:50:12 GMT

My favorite meal and love the leftovers for two!

Re: What do you fix for Thanksgiving when there are only two of you?

corita — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 00:52:54 GMT

On 11/19/2014 GoodStuff said:
Restaurant reservations! We've done this for the past few Thanksgiving dinners, and it absolutely ROCKS! No cooking, no clean-up, and you don't necessarily have to have the traditional turkey dinner if you'd prefer steak, shrimp, or lamb chops. Highly recommend this approach.

After the kids got to be older teens, we always went out for T day dinner! Always good and many food choices to eat! But the only thing I missed were the leftovers - turkey sandwich etc!!!

Re: What do you fix for Thanksgiving when there are only two of you?

ChynnaBlue — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 00:57:07 GMT

Whatever you want? Your very favorite thing?

My friends and I go out to eat because none of us have family here and we don't want to spend airfare to travel for just a few days when we can visit family for Christmas, instead. We tried doing a Thanksgiving dinner, but there are so few of us and there were just crazy amounts of leftovers.

My mom and dad often go out with my sister and my aunt and uncle. Other times my mom makes a turkey breast.

Re: What do you fix for Thanksgiving when there are only two of you?

pattypeep — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 01:07:29 GMT

I do the same as I used to do for a crowd, except my dh talked me into doing a turkey breast instead of the whole turkey. Just make the same dishes, but smaller amounts.

Re: What do you fix for Thanksgiving when there are only two of you?

Kitlynn — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 01:39:12 GMT

My hubby and I are having lobster this year! Just fix something that the two of you really love and enjoy. I have done a turkey breast before with the traditional sides and just cut everything down and that was good too. We really enjoy having something different though as we host our family for Christmas Eve and we do turkey and ham for that with all the sides so it is nice not to do it just a few weeks apart.

Re: What do you fix for Thanksgiving when there are only two of you?

ballyk — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 01:57:38 GMT

Traditional turkey dinner but this year 12# turkey instead of 20# at dh insistence. I love leftovers and turkey sandwiches on white with mayo