A Frugal but Elegant Thanksgiving

[Melissa Burnell]

A Frugal but Elegant Thanksgiving

Over years I have had groups of 10-12 over to our house for
Thanksgiving and served a nice dinner with all the extras but didn’t
break my budget. It takes planning and watching the sales early
instead of buying everything the week before. Something else that at
first I was reluctant to do, is not to turn away help!

If one of
your guests offers to bring a dish then let them! They will feel
good about helping and you will be able to cross something off your
list. We have to learn that we can’t do it all! I have a set of
antique china I picked up for $10.00 at a shop in town.

It’s
wonderful for the holidays and you can add many Victorian touches to
your table that are inexpensive. Use doilies, both paper and cloth
to accent. If you don’t have a punch bowl, borrow one!

It’s a fun
touch and makes everyone feel festive. Have fun and relax with your
Holiday meal; your festive attitude will be contagious and your
guests will have a great time!

Shopping List

1 12-14 pound turkey (up to 10 people)
bouillon
fresh or dried thyme leaves
2 boxes cornbread mix
bag of herb/bread stuffing
3 cans chicken broth celery onion
3 cans French greens beans
fresh garlic
5 pounds potatoes
Brown and Serve rolls
Large can sweet potatoes or 4 fresh
brown sugar

Thanksgiving Turkey

1 12-14 pound turkey
3 tablespoons each melted margarine and oil
3 tsp instant chicken bouillon
1 tsp. dried thyme or 1 Tablespoon fresh
1/2 tsp. garlic powder or two crushed cloves
1/2 tsp.

pepper
2 cups water

Rinse and stuff turkey if desired. Secure wings and legs. Place on
rack in roasting pan .

Combine margarine, oil, bouillon and spices.
Whisk well. Brush turkey with mixture. Cover top of turkey with
foil, removing halfway through cooking.

Roast at 350 degrees for 1
1/2 hours, basting every 30 minutes. Add water to pan, and roast 3
hours longer, still basting. Turkey will be done when meat
thermometer inserted in thigh registers 180-185 degrees and juices
run clear.

Transfer to platter, remove stuffing to serving bowl.
Turkey should rest about 20 minutes before slicing. Makes about 10
servings.

Family Style Gravy

Drippings from pan
Giblets, neck
salt
pepper
3 tablespoons cornstarch

If you wish, you can place giblets and neck from your turkey into a
pan with 3 cups water and simmer for about 30 minutes to start your
gravy. Remove the giblets and neck from broth. Then add the
drippings from the turkey pan.

Mix your cornstarch with 1/4 cup
water , and add to the saucepan whisking it in. Bring to boil,
stirring. Boil about 2 minutes until thickened.

Season with salt and
pepper as desired. Optional: you can place a bay leaf and chopped
onion in with the giblets. You will also have extra flavor from
basting the turkey with your herb mixture above.

Mashed Potatoes

5 pounds potatoes
milk or cream
salt
4 tablespoons butter or margarine

Peel your potatoes, cut into chunks and place in large pan, cover
with water. (two pans can be used if necessary) Boil until tender
when poked with fork; 20-30 minutes. Drain potatoes.

Add the butter
or margarine, season with salt, Add your milk or cream, as you mix
with electric mixer. Start with a cup and add until it is the
consistency you desire. Options: You can also mix in sour cream or
cream cheese right before the milk, then mix.

At the end you can add
fresh chives and mix in with a wooden spoon.

Herbed Green Beans

3 cans French style green beans
2 garlic cloves, slivered thinly
2 tablespoons olive oil or margarine
fresh sage, 3-4 leaves (optional)
Other fresh herbs

Heat your green beans until heated through. Drain well. In a large
skillet heat oil or margarine.

Add garlic and saut? lightly about 2
minutes. At this point you can add the beans and heat through while
stirring, then season with salt and pepper.

If you have fresh herbs
you can chop and add them in for 30 seconds before you add the
beans. Sage works well, but so does basil, oregano or thyme. If you
don’t grow your own herbs, look in the produce section where they
may sell bundles of many herbs.

Family Dressing

4 cups crumbled cornbread
3 eggs, beaten
3 1/2 cups herb stuffing
3 cans chicken broth
1 onion, chopped fine
1 cup celery, chopped
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 Tablespoon poultry seasoning

Your cornbread can be made ahead with your favorite recipe or two
small boxes of cornbread mix. You may not need it all, but feel free
to snack on it! Combine all ingredients.

Stuff turkey, or place in
greased casserole and bake at 350 degrees 1 hour or until golden.

More Holiday Tips

Visit your bread outlet (many brand name bakeries have these) or a
bakery for specials on rolls, bread, heat and serve rolls or
stuffing.
Often you can get great deals on Turkeys at your local grocery store
with an extra $10.00 or $20.00 purchase. Watch the ads!
Look at thrift stores for wicker baskets. You can use hot, soapy
water and a stiff brush to clean.

Then place paper doilies in basket
and use on the table for rolls, breads, silverware, napkins, or you
can even place bowls in the larger ones.
Have extras on hand to place on the table while guests are waiting
for dinner. Homemade Quick breads, dips and crackers or even nuts
work well.

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