menu plan : the thanksgiving 2012 edition.

i’m a bit of an ocd organizer.  just ask my husband.  i have a binder with every thanksgiving menu i’ve planned and prepared.  this year marks year number seven.  i love everything about this holiday.  the planning of and preparing of the meal and just hanging out with family.  i don’t make a big meal for christmas so this is my one chance to go all out.

this is what we’ll be dining on this year…

citrus rubbed turkey with cider gravy.  a new turkey recipe from everyday food.  i made a turkey from EF last year and obviously didn’t find it that memorable as i’m switching things up again.  part of it’s prep starts tomorrow with lemon and orange.  hoping it’s as good as it sounds.

aunt ruthie mashed potatoes.  already made and in the fridge awaiting baking on thursday.  it wouldn’t be thanksgiving without them.  there is rarely anything left of this dish.

sweet potato casserole.  love that this can be made in advance and served at room temperature.

citrus cranberry sauce.  this is always the first dish that i make and signals the marathon kitchen session about to take place.  i really enjoy it warm.

cornbread and sausage stuffing.  everyone loves it so it’s the only stuffing i’ve ever made.  i’ve actually adapted it to make it in the crockpot to free up oven space and it works really well.

brussels sprouts with bacon and apple.  i wanted to try pioneer woman’s balsamic brussels sprouts this year but was vetoed by andy and his sister as this recipe has bacon.

green bean casserole.  i’ve tried making more refined versions, but really only the classic will do.

rolls.  a family recipe that i always remember my aunt making each thanksgiving.  each year i tend to give her a call about her potatoes and/or rolls and we end up having a nice long chat.  always a highlight.

upside down pumpkin pie.  i don’t care for pumpkin pie, but this stuff is good and super easy to throw together.

brownie pecan pie.  l-o-v-e.  and it makes two pies.  i was scolded by my husband the year that i gave the second one to a friend instead of keeping both for us.

apple pie.  andy always requests this and i’ve yet to find a recipe i love or want to devote my time to making one so preparing this one was pawned off on his mom.

here’s to everything coming out of the oven at the same time!