Thanksgiving Recipes and Menus

Thanksgiving is one of the best excuses we have to get into the kitchen and prepare a special holiday meal for family and friends. I have created four menus for the occasion, each complete with a first course, main dish, bread, side dishes and one or more desserts. The first is a Pennsylvania Dutch menu with turkey, a selection of traditional 'sweets and sours' served at all large meals, ample side dishes and two pies of my family's favorite pies. The second menu, a Harvest Feast, is slightly scaled down but equally spectacular with typical Thanksgiving fare. The third menu is a more casual presentation for a smaller gathering, featuring a turkey and barley casserole with a few specially selected complementary sides, as well as the inevitable but always welcomed pumpkin pie. Finally, there is an alternative menu for vegetarians or those who do not care for turkey featuring a hearty and luxuriously indulgent baked pasta, as well as side dishes in keeping with the season. In addition, you will find links to making stock, tips for roasting turkey, suggestions for using leftovers and a guide to planning a special meal. The best part of sharing four menus, with more than thirty different recipes, including many vegetarian choices, is that you are free to mix and match the dishes to suit the tastes of you and your guests. However, if you still don't find what you are looking for, use the search box above or browse through the Recipe Files for many more choices.