"It wouldn't be Thanksgiving if we didn't have [oddball recipe]!"

[Cecropia]

What's a favorite dish your family has to have every year, but isn't traditional Thanksgiving fare?

 

Ours is a 1993 Taste of Home recipe, Hidden Pear Salad.  I clipped it out of the magazine as a teenager...

 

Ingredients

• 1 can (16 ounces) pears, liquid drained and reserved
• 1 package (3 ounces) lime gelatin
• 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 tsp vanilla

Directions

• 1. In a saucepan, bring pear liquid to a boil. Stir in gelatin until dissolved. Remove from the heat; cool at room temperature until syrupy. Meanwhile, puree pears in a blender with cream cheese and lemon juice.
• 2. Whip heavy cream with vanilla until stiff peaks form; fold into pear mixture. Fold in cooled gelatin.
• 3. Pour into a greased 4-1/2-cup mold. Chill at least 4 hours. Yield: 6-8 servings.

Edited November 19, 2016 by Cecropia

[SparklyUnicorn]

Apparently stuffing because a revolt was almost launched when I asked if I should skip it.

 

 

[Lady Florida.]

My mother's marinated artichoke hearts.

 

We used to have a full Italian-American meal followed by a full traditional American Thanksgiving meal when we lived in NJ and were surrounded by family. That included an antipasto, which included marinated artichoke hearts.

 

It started when we moved to Florida and instantly became a much smaller family.  We still wanted a bit of our old tradition but were unable to find the marinated artichoke hearts we used to buy in stores in New Jersey. Mom decided she'd just make her own based on the memory of what they taste like. We've been having them as appetizers at both Thanksgiving and Christmas since 1970. Years later, Publix finally began carrying that brand we left behind in NJ. We were so excited and bought some, then were very disappointed. Either the recipe had changed or we became so used to my mom's copycat version, that we no longer liked the jarred ones.

 

When I met dh, he and his son fell instantly in love with them, and my mom always had to make extra because my brother and niece were already fans of the dish. Fortunately I watched her make them often enough that I've been able to carry on the tradition. Now dh's very not-Italian, not-ethnic-at-all family loves them and wouldn't consider it Thanksgiving or Christmas without them.

 

I can't give a recipe because the amounts are just one of those things you have to eye. I would say at least two med. cloves of garlic for each can of artichoke hearts and maybe 1/2 tsp. oregano per can. Those are just guesses though. I measure nothing for this dish.

 

Canned artichoke hearts packed in water (unseasoned)

fresh garlic, minced

dried oregano

olive oil

 

Drain the artichoke hearts. In a bowl mix the artichoke hearts, minced garlic, and dried oregano. Add olive oil and stir to coat. Place in a glass jar or glass container. Cover and let marinate for at least 12 hours (24 is better). Serve as appetizer.

[Lady Florida.]

Apparently stuffing because a revolt was almost launched when I asked if I should skip it.

 

Skip stuffing????  :eek:  :eek:  :eek:

[Guest]

Chestnut stuffing. Peeling the chestnuts takes more time than everything else put together. I tried the pre-peeled chestnuts last year but they tasted like lumps of plastic so ds8 is going to start taking over in light of arthritis and failing eyesight.

[Hoot]

Orange jello. We do thanksgiving at the in-laws' house and she makes orange jello with some sort of orange pudding topping. It's delicious, but not at all a thanksgiving-esque food. The holiday would seem odd without it after 18 years in their family.

[Melissa B]

Applesauce cinnamon jello 

It's been a Thanksgiving and Christmas tradition since well before I was born.

[flyingaway]

Apple and cheese salad. It's apples, cheddar cheese, raisins and mayonnaise. Also, my extended family is all pretty sure that you make the gravy to put over your turkey, not your mashed potatoes, because those are going to be topped with the chicken soup that contains homemade egg noodles that have been brightened with yellow food coloring.

[MrsMommy]

Not an oddball recipe, but it wouldn't be Thanksgiving if I didn't make a pie for every member of our family. Usually, it's just the seven of us, so I'm used to making seven pies. My in-laws are able to join us this year, so I'm making nine! I don't know what I'd do if we ever had more company than that, but it's a tradition, and something I love doing for my family. :)

[freesia]

Bread Stuffing, for sure--with white bread. Unfortunately, MIL likes to use homemade wheat bread. .  ..sigh

 

My kids have to have pumpkin pie; MIL's squash pie is not a substitute.  So, I am bringing one and a cheesecake for me.

 

I LOVE doing T'giving, but for various reasons we go to my MIL's house.  It is the right thing to do (and I love MIL), but it just isn't "right" iykwim

 

So, I've started to bring lots of things and know that my Mom makes stuffing "right" for Christmas. LOL

[Kassia]

Skip stuffing????  :eek:  :eek:  :eek:

 

That was my reaction.  

 

I could just eat stuffing for Thanksgiving dinner and be perfectly content.

[JustEm]

A platter of pineapples and cherries on toothpicks. My grandmother used to do it and we loved it. When she died my dad kept up the tradition. I'd say most everyone just wants the pineapple but none of us can stopp putting the cherries out

[barnwife]

That was my reaction.  

 

I could just eat stuffing for Thanksgiving dinner and be perfectly content.

Mine too.

 

I am hosting this year, even at 8 months pregnant. I will say it's just my parents. I may have put out the idea of having only stuffing (well, and cranberry sauce as the 4 yo requested it and it's easy).

 

My mom was all for it. Others...not so much.

[SparklyUnicorn]

Skip stuffing????  :eek:  :eek:  :eek:

 

LOL

 

Well, I like stuffing, but I don't love it.  So for not loving it I wondered if it was worth the work. But if it makes someone happy then I'm happy to do it.  KWIM?  If people didn't care then I'd just not do it.

[Zinnia]

We have celery stuffed with cream cheese. Totally wouldn't be Thanksgiving without it

[MrsMommy]

We have celery stuffed with cream cheese. Totally wouldn't be Thanksgiving without it

 

But do you put BV Sauce on it? Because that's something my mom's family has always done. I have to admit, it's not too bad!

[Jaybee]

 

 

I can't give a recipe because the amounts are just one of those things you have to eye. I would say at least two med. cloves of garlic for each can of artichoke hearts and maybe 1/2 tsp. oregano per can. Those are just guesses though. I measure nothing for this dish.

 

Canned artichoke hearts packed in water (unseasoned)

fresh garlic, minced

dried oregano

olive oil

 

Drain the artichoke hearts. In a bowl mix the artichoke hearts, minced garlic, and dried oregano. Add olive oil and stir to coat. Place in a glass jar or glass container. Cover and let marinate for at least 12 hours (24 is better). Serve as appetizer.

 

This sounds good (I think--I've never actually had artichoke). But what do you serve with it? Do you put it on crackers, or ?? 

[Lady Florida.]

This sounds good (I think--I've never actually had artichoke). But what do you serve with it? Do you put it on crackers, or ?? 

 

You just eat them usually with other appetizer food, especially as part of an antipasto. We usually use toothpicks to pick them up, but you could use cocktail forks. 

[Cecropia]

Apparently stuffing because a revolt was almost launched when I asked if I should skip it.

 

This is funny, because I asked my family if they wanted stuffing and they all said "Yuck! No."  I'm the only one who will miss it, I guess.

 

It's ok... the last thing I need on Thanksgiving is more carbs.

[SparklyUnicorn]

This is funny, because I asked my family if they wanted stuffing and they all said "Yuck! No."  I'm the only one who will miss it, I guess.

 

It's ok... the last thing I need on Thanksgiving is more carbs.

 

I'm fine with splurging on some carbs once in awhile, but I prefer it be on something I love.

 

Like pizza!

[Mrs.Wilson]

Growing up my mom made the most disgusting cornbread stuffing.  She would make so much that we were eating it for days afterwards.  She would also make a fruit salad with cool whip and shredded coconut.  I couldn't stand the texture.  

 

For the first time in seven years she'll be joining us for Thanksgiving.  As my sister and I were going over the menu for Thanksgiving those were the two things I was adamant our mother didn't make.  She does make awesome pistachio pudding an pasta salad!  It wouldn't be Thanksgiving without those two.

[SparklyUnicorn]

Growing up my mom made the most disgusting cornbread stuffing.  She would make so much that we were eating it for days afterwards.  She would also make a fruit salad with cool whip and shredded coconut.  I couldn't stand the texture.  

 

For the first time in seven years she'll be joining us for Thanksgiving.  As my sister and I were going over the menu for Thanksgiving those were the two things I was adamant our mother didn't make.  She does make awesome pistachio pudding an pasta salad!  It wouldn't be Thanksgiving without those two.

 

eww...doesn't sound good

 

I once ate a sausage stuffing someone else made that I didn't like at all.  I always liked my mom's bread stuffing.

[Farrar]

Apparently stuffing because a revolt was almost launched when I asked if I should skip it.

 

We're skipping the dressing this year. I don't think it will be missed.

 

Don't get me wrong... I like dressing and all. But it's just us this year and we're already having a heck of a lot of food.

[theelfqueen]

Everyone in my family is very insistent on needing my mom's macaroni and cheese for thanksgiving. I can (and do) make it but I make my mom do it when she's available. This year she's doing it. :)

 

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[Tanaqui]

We don't really have traditional, "must have" foods. Every year I cook something different. This year I'm thinking duck with a cranberry quince sauce, if I can get quinces in the next few days.

[Guest]

Grandma's noodles. We even discussed this on the boards in years past, because now Grandma (my MIL) can't manage the noodles. My DD has stepped up to make the noodles for the past two years (Thanksgiving and Christmas). It's just homemade noodles in gravy.

[JFSinIL]

Three layer jello is a requirement of any holiday meal.  Thanksgiving is yellow, orange, red.  Christmas will be green yellow red.  Easter actually instead of the layered salad I have to make those awful jello eggs.

 

 

[Heidi]

Chinese green beans. I don't know what else to call them. Fresh green beans saute in oil, garlic, and soy sauce. Then add a bit of cornstarch/soy to thicken the sauce. It's the only green thing at the table on thanksgiving.

[Teresa in MO]

 

What's a favorite dish your family has to have every year, but isn't traditional Thanksgiving fare?

 

Ours is a 1993 Taste of Home recipe, Hidden Pear Salad.  I clipped it out of the magazine as a teenager...

 

Ingredients

• 1 can (16 ounces) pears, liquid drained and reserved
• 1 package (3 ounces) lime gelatin
• 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 tsp vanilla

Directions

• 1. In a saucepan, bring pear liquid to a boil. Stir in gelatin until dissolved. Remove from the heat; cool at room temperature until syrupy. Meanwhile, puree pears in a blender with cream cheese and lemon juice.
• 2. Whip heavy cream with vanilla until stiff peaks form; fold into pear mixture. Fold in cooled gelatin.
• 3. Pour into a greased 4-1/2-cup mold. Chill at least 4 hours. Yield: 6-8 servings.

 

This is a favorite of ours, too.  It is on the Thanksgiving menu every year!

[Guest]

Three layer jello is a requirement of any holiday meal.  Thanksgiving is yellow, orange, red.  Christmas will be green yellow red.  Easter actually instead of the layered salad I have to make those awful jello eggs.

 

I have to know: what are jello eggs? 

[AngieW in Texas]

We do biryani every year for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I used to do it on birthdays too, but all of our birthdays are during the schoolyear and now that I'm a teacher, I just can't do that. I don't have the time.

[Janeway]

Skip stuffing???? :eek: :eek: :eek:

I never get stuffing. And I like it too! No one but me eats it.

[MercyA]

Pink Salad--Jello, mayo, cream cheese, crushed pineapple, Cool Whip, walnuts.

 

It is just as awesome as it sounds. :)

 

We also *must* have cranberry-sauce-from-a-can, even if someone makes a more sophisticated cranberry dish. 

 

Spiced apple rings were a childhood tradition (or was that at Christmas?), but they are full of Red 40, of course.  :(

[JFSinIL]

I have to know: what are jello eggs? 

 

Jello made with a lot less liquid so they are super thick.  Used to use two-part molds that were supposed to plop out actual egg shaped jello.  Now I cheat and pour the thick stuff in a pan, let it set, then use a egg-shaped cookie cutter to make flatter "eggs".    The stuff, when set, is like rubber. Bleah!

 

I think you can still find the "recipe" on the larger boxes of Jello during the Easter holiday season.

 

[J-rap]

Pickled herring, which only a few people actually eat, but it really needs to be there on the table.

[RoughCollie]

Fruit salad, but that's not very odd. Apples, bananas, oranges, raisins, pecans, with lemon juice mixed in.

[poppy]

One grandfather always wanted boiled onions.  Eaten straight.

He's  gone now so we don't make it anymore. But it's not the same.

Edited November 20, 2016 by poppy

[Anne in CA]

Chinese green beans. I don't know what else to call them. Fresh green beans saute in oil, garlic, and soy sauce. Then add a bit of cornstarch/soy to thicken the sauce. It's the only green thing at the table on thanksgiving.

My recipe for this calls for bacon. Caramelized green beans is what my family calls them, and yes, we're having them for TG, lol.

[mellifera33]

Apple and cheese salad. It's apples, cheddar cheese, raisins and mayonnaise. Also, my extended family is all pretty sure that you make the gravy to put over your turkey, not your mashed potatoes, because those are going to be topped with the chicken soup that contains homemade egg noodles that have been brightened with yellow food coloring.

 

Ah, the noodles-over-mashed potatoes dish. My grandparents served this every time we visited, until my little brother blurted out "Grandma, my mom hates noodles and potatoes!" My mom was mortified. 

 

I don't get the stuffing love. It's soggy bread. Yuck. 

 

I almost forgot--for years, the go-to alternate dessert in my family was a mess of crust, green jello pistachio pudding, and cool whip. My dad called it "that green shit." As in, "hon, are you making that green shit for dessert this year?" He ate it happily tho. 

Edited November 20, 2016 by mellifera33

[umsami]

We do an Arabic chopped salad....where before in my household growing up, the only green allowed on the table was the green bean casserole and maybe some pimento-stuffed green olives. :)

 

Funny thing is it's not my family who goes ga-ga for the salad, it's all my relatives.  For us, it's our every day salad, but for them, it's something special.

[zoobie]

We do an Arabic chopped salad....where before in my household growing up, the only green allowed on the table was the green bean casserole and maybe some pimento-stuffed green olives. :)

 

Funny thing is it's not my family who goes ga-ga for the salad, it's all my relatives. For us, it's our every day salad, but for them, it's something special.

What is in your salad? :)

[Mrs.Wilson]

I was relieved to read in the last sentence that the previous sentence referred to two separate dishes.

Lol The D gets stuck on my keyboard. I guess I didn't catch it.

[umsami]

What is in your salad? :)

 

It's super basic.  The key (IMHO) is salting the onions first.  So chop up onions (your choice..can be white, Vidalia, red, scallions, shallots), and place in a small bowl.  Pour a little white wine or red wine vinegar on top, add in salt and pepper.  Leave it to sit for at least 5 minutes, preferably 10.  Then you squeeze the onions to get out their juice, and add it to a bowl.

 

Add in roughly equal amounts of chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, and romaine lettuce.  I prefer the Persian cucumbers.  Tomatoes I go for whatever looks the best.  In theory, you want everything the same size.  Add in a handful of chopped parsley.  

 

Then you make a dressing with 1-2 smashed and chopped garlic cloves, olive oil, and either lemon juice or white/red wine vinegar, and salt and pepper.  You can add a little oregano to the dressing or other herbs.  I prefer lemon juice, red wine, and white wine vinegar in that order.  Balsamic doesn't work very well.

 

You can turn this into a Greek salad by adding Kalamata olives and Feta cheese, and more red wine vinegar.

[Heidi]

My recipe for this calls for bacon. Caramelized green beans is what my family calls them, and yes, we're having them for TG, lol.

Great idea!

[gaillardia]

Jello made with a lot less liquid so they are super thick.  Used to use two-part molds that were supposed to plop out actual egg shaped jello.  Now I cheat and pour the thick stuff in a pan, let it set, then use a egg-shaped cookie cutter to make flatter "eggs".    The stuff, when set, is like rubber. Bleah!

 

I think you can still find the "recipe" on the larger boxes of Jello during the Easter holiday season

I don't think you're liking jello for any holiday.

These are some interesting "only at our house" recipes.

Nothing in particular here. I know if I say I'm not fixing one thing or another I get a lot of disappointed responses. One guest who didn't come every year thought it funny that we would have raw veggies, dip, crackers, cheese, pickles and olives in abundance while waiting for the main meal.

 

My laptop added some odd commands, just editing to erase.

Edited November 22, 2016 by Gaillardia

[happi duck]

Rib eye steaks

[KungFuPanda]

We do an Arabic chopped salad....where before in my household growing up, the only green allowed on the table was the green bean casserole and maybe some pimento-stuffed green olives. :)

 

Funny thing is it's not my family who goes ga-ga for the salad, it's all my relatives. For us, it's our every day salad, but for them, it's something special.

How do you make your salad? I'm bringing a chopped salad to BILs tomorrow. I prefer them to leaf-based salads and it's nice to have something crunchy and green to balance all the starch. I'm planning to add blanched green beans to make it thanksgivingy and dressing very lightly with a olive/vinegar dressing. I still have fresh herbs in my garden. I'm going to add chickpeas, bell pepper, cucumber, parsley, red onion, grape tomatoes, and I'm skipping the cheese since this may be the only light thing on the table.

 

I'm actually looking forward to chopping all of those veggies for this silly salad and I'm open to ideas.

[Just Kate]

My family's "must have" dish is my mom's dressing. It is just a basic dressing recipe, but she makes it out into patties and bakes it in the oven. I always just assumed that everyone ate their dressing in patties and I was horrified the first time I saw Stove Top Stuffing! Not sure that anyone else does this...I've only seen it from my mom and her sister.

[Mimm]

Little pigs in blankets. My sister and I started making them years ago as appetizers and now everyone acts like the world will end if we don't. :) We have to make them again for Christmas.

[lollie010]

I make a 7 layer salad that is basically my price of admission to thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. It's all right and all, but it's not what I would think of as THE one thing most people would look forward to. 😄 it's really only 6 layers because years ago I forgot what the 7th layer was and apparently no one ever missed it. Lol!!!

 

It's lettuce, mayo, green peas, shredded cheddar, purple onion, and real bacon!!! People fight over it!! Lol. But, one year when we were away from home, I carried it to a non-family thanksgiving gathering. I just assumed I would be the hero, but not one person touched it!!!!