So. I’m thinking about next week’s meal plan and Thanksgiving keeps getting in the way. Most places in the country, it’s not going to be safe to have the usual, gloriously hectic, people-packed celebration. Here in NY cases are on the upswing, too, so I’ve scrapped my plan to have just my dad and one of my brothers come over for a mini-Thanksgiving. The current plan is to cook two micro-meals. The first, on Wednesday, will be made with kosher food since the two would-be guests both observe. I’ll divide that food into two care packages and deliver it to them. And on Thursday, I’ll make a scaled-down version of
I've always cooked a separate Thanksgiving meal just for the 2 of us sometime during the long holiday weekend (after spending actual Thanksgiving with family), but I decided 6-8 weeks ago that we would stay home because I knew how bad things were going to get.
So I placed my this week / next week order last night (some ideas from last week's meal plan + what's in the freezer), and my hubs picked everything up today, including our frozen turkey. I'm doing our usual bird + carb-fest (mashed potatoes, my late MIL's sweet potato casserole, stuffing) + some vegs as we feel that day (salad or green beans or roasted brussels sprouts). I'll decide later as well about either pumpkin or pecan pie. I got ingredients for both.
I have not had any really satisfying web/video confabs with friends or family, so we probably won't even attempt that.
I did see my sister Sunday for the first time in MONTHS --- outside, both of us masked and far apart --- to deliver some new masks I sewed for her to wear at work (in a grocery store). Our late mom's birthday is this coming Saturday, and we usually do a sister's lunch out that day, but not this year.
Just the four of us at home. We don't have a bubble since the kiddos are in school full time. The kids have strong opinions about the veggies they're ultimately going to refuse to eat so thinking I'll make something I like! Some kind of rolls and Pioneer Woman's dressing recipe are the only other requests. I just want a Costco pumpkin pie. Husband is going to smoke a turkey, thinking maybe asking him to do two small ones so we get extra legs. Feeling some stress and guilt about using instacart instead of going to the grocery store for a holiday meal.
🤣 "The kids have strong opinions about the veggies they're ultimately going to refuse to eat"... These pumpkin-shaped pumpkin rolls are my son's favorite thing about Thanksgiving: https://www.beyondkimchee.com/pumpkin-dinner-rolls/
We were going to be in my garage masked besides eating with my parents and sis/BIL who have been our bubble but WA state just mandated no indoor meetings with anyone outside your household, so we scrapped that idea.
Now I can't decide if I cook for our family of five or order a meal to support a local restaurant. My kids will most likely only eat turkey, potatoes, and lots of dinner rolls and they don't care who makes them.
Originally we were just going to celebrate with our household pod, but my parents both contracted Covid right after Halloween and have recovered, so we are going to be able to have them come over as well! (Silver lining to an extremely stressful week of illness.) I'm super bummed I won't get to see my sister and my kids won't get to see cousins, but it's the best we can do for now. We are cooking a smallish traditional Thanksgiving dinner and I'm sure we'll have tons of leftovers so I was thinking of offering up a contactless meal delivery on my neighborhood facebook group in case anyone was alone for the holiday.
Hi Debbie! That sounds like a great plan. My plans are all over the place but I think I’ll be doing something similar with the one wrinkle being my mom is in the hospital (non-COVID) and we’re not sure if she’ll be out. I quarantined and tested and quarantined and am now staying with my dad and am lucky enough to be able to see her in the hospital too. Soooo most of the NYC Thanksgiving will be cooked by my 14-year old with her dad and brother as sous-chefs. We have a poultry allergy in the house so I’m thinking a non-bird alternative. Do you have a brisket recipe you love? We’re going to play with Cheesy Hassleback Potato Gratin https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1017724-cheesy-hasselback-potato-gratin?smid=ck-recipe-iOS-share b/c the mandolin feels like a fun thing for a 14-year old to use. I’d love a not everyday salad idea and an easy but fancy feeling dessert. I’ll be mirroring the meal here and Zooming with others as well. This year won’t be like any other but I’m sure we’ll find ways to make it feel special nonetheless. Take care and thanks for the continued dinner inspiration!
OK first, THAT GRATIN! I want to eat the whole thing. Re: mandolin and your 14yo--do you have one of those nifty cut-proof gloves? I wear one to use mine.
that all sounds awesome. thank you! I love the idea of the galette. If you ever end up on the LES I highly recommend checking out Partybus Bakeshop - they opened just pre-pandemic and are making it through. They have fantastic pie dough (not to mention that I think their baguettes are the best in the city, just sayin') so I'll be sending my kid there for sure. I don't have a cut-proof glove but it is a good reminder she probably needs one. Thank you!!
I've always cooked a separate Thanksgiving meal just for the 2 of us sometime during the long holiday weekend (after spending actual Thanksgiving with family), but I decided 6-8 weeks ago that we would stay home because I knew how bad things were going to get.
So I placed my this week / next week order last night (some ideas from last week's meal plan + what's in the freezer), and my hubs picked everything up today, including our frozen turkey. I'm doing our usual bird + carb-fest (mashed potatoes, my late MIL's sweet potato casserole, stuffing) + some vegs as we feel that day (salad or green beans or roasted brussels sprouts). I'll decide later as well about either pumpkin or pecan pie. I got ingredients for both.
I have not had any really satisfying web/video confabs with friends or family, so we probably won't even attempt that.
I did see my sister Sunday for the first time in MONTHS --- outside, both of us masked and far apart --- to deliver some new masks I sewed for her to wear at work (in a grocery store). Our late mom's birthday is this coming Saturday, and we usually do a sister's lunch out that day, but not this year.
It's all hard, but I'm mostly fine with it.
Hugs all around to our meal planning community!
This sounds like a solid plan, Roxanne! I'm glad you got to see your sister, even if it was outside/masked/far apart.
Just the four of us at home. We don't have a bubble since the kiddos are in school full time. The kids have strong opinions about the veggies they're ultimately going to refuse to eat so thinking I'll make something I like! Some kind of rolls and Pioneer Woman's dressing recipe are the only other requests. I just want a Costco pumpkin pie. Husband is going to smoke a turkey, thinking maybe asking him to do two small ones so we get extra legs. Feeling some stress and guilt about using instacart instead of going to the grocery store for a holiday meal.
🤣 "The kids have strong opinions about the veggies they're ultimately going to refuse to eat"... These pumpkin-shaped pumpkin rolls are my son's favorite thing about Thanksgiving: https://www.beyondkimchee.com/pumpkin-dinner-rolls/
NO STRESS/GUILT over Instacart allowed.
Those are so cute! I’ll count them as a vegetable and the kids will refuse to eat those too! More for me!
Will work on the guilt.
We were going to be in my garage masked besides eating with my parents and sis/BIL who have been our bubble but WA state just mandated no indoor meetings with anyone outside your household, so we scrapped that idea.
Now I can't decide if I cook for our family of five or order a meal to support a local restaurant. My kids will most likely only eat turkey, potatoes, and lots of dinner rolls and they don't care who makes them.
I'm sorry your plans had to change, too! I like the idea of supporting a local restaurant, honestly. I know so many people doing that this year.
Originally we were just going to celebrate with our household pod, but my parents both contracted Covid right after Halloween and have recovered, so we are going to be able to have them come over as well! (Silver lining to an extremely stressful week of illness.) I'm super bummed I won't get to see my sister and my kids won't get to see cousins, but it's the best we can do for now. We are cooking a smallish traditional Thanksgiving dinner and I'm sure we'll have tons of leftovers so I was thinking of offering up a contactless meal delivery on my neighborhood facebook group in case anyone was alone for the holiday.
That sounds lovely! I like your idea to share your feast.
If anyone has recommendations for a gluten free pie I am all ears!
I trust the folks at King Arthur--their recipes are always solid: https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/recipes/gluten-free-pie-crust-recipe
You're looking for a reliable crust recipe? Let me see what I can dig up!
You can do a crumb crust too, just use GF cookies instead of graham crackers. (Girl Scout Toffeetastic are the last ones I used. Yum!)
That sounds DELICIOUS.
Hi Debbie! That sounds like a great plan. My plans are all over the place but I think I’ll be doing something similar with the one wrinkle being my mom is in the hospital (non-COVID) and we’re not sure if she’ll be out. I quarantined and tested and quarantined and am now staying with my dad and am lucky enough to be able to see her in the hospital too. Soooo most of the NYC Thanksgiving will be cooked by my 14-year old with her dad and brother as sous-chefs. We have a poultry allergy in the house so I’m thinking a non-bird alternative. Do you have a brisket recipe you love? We’re going to play with Cheesy Hassleback Potato Gratin https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1017724-cheesy-hasselback-potato-gratin?smid=ck-recipe-iOS-share b/c the mandolin feels like a fun thing for a 14-year old to use. I’d love a not everyday salad idea and an easy but fancy feeling dessert. I’ll be mirroring the meal here and Zooming with others as well. This year won’t be like any other but I’m sure we’ll find ways to make it feel special nonetheless. Take care and thanks for the continued dinner inspiration!
OK first, THAT GRATIN! I want to eat the whole thing. Re: mandolin and your 14yo--do you have one of those nifty cut-proof gloves? I wear one to use mine.
I'm sorry to hear your mom is in the hospital--I know a few people in similar situations and it's so hard. My go-to brisket recipe is from Tyler Florence and it's perfect for a young chef, very easy: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/the-ultimate-braised-brisket-recipe-1915770. My Thanksgiving salad: https://debbiekoenig.com/2013/11/25/shaved-brussels-sprouts-salad-with-pistachios-warm-maple-bacon-vinaigrette/. For dessert, what about an apple galette? Less fussy than a pie but still Thanksgiving-worthy.
that all sounds awesome. thank you! I love the idea of the galette. If you ever end up on the LES I highly recommend checking out Partybus Bakeshop - they opened just pre-pandemic and are making it through. They have fantastic pie dough (not to mention that I think their baguettes are the best in the city, just sayin') so I'll be sending my kid there for sure. I don't have a cut-proof glove but it is a good reminder she probably needs one. Thank you!!