I just realized that Thanksgiving is THREE weeks from tomorrow, and I haven't done a thing about it. I do happen to know that we'll be down to 17 from the usual 26, which might mean that I can get away with one turkey instead of two—whattaya think? Although a bunch of my Twitter pals just invited themselves, and you never know when people are serious or just joking around by the way they type....
I wish I could just skip right to the leftover stuffing and gravy the next day.
See ya on Thanksgiving, Karen! I'm sure it'll be just wonderful! My mouth is already watering. :o)
Posted by: Tonya | November 04, 2009 at 11:11 PM
P.S. What would you like me to bring?
Posted by: Tonya | November 04, 2009 at 11:11 PM
Only THREE WEEKS. OK, now I'm stressed. Thanks a lot. :)
Posted by: Margaret | November 04, 2009 at 11:25 PM
26??? Holy smokes that is a large crowd. We go to my parent's house - about 14 on a good year. I am in charge of desserts. Have to make my candied cranberry chocolate tart along with an apple pie. Need another two desserts. Good luck.
Posted by: Stephanie | November 05, 2009 at 08:29 AM
OK, this is my eternal question. How much turkey are you supposed to get per person? What size turkey will you get for 17? Last year I had 12 and was advised to get 1.5 lbs per person for leftovers. I ended up getting 2 10-pounders because my three brothers all fight over the legs. We ended up eating only the one turkey and the other went untouched. (Except for the one of the legs.) :-) Clearly that was too much for us...maybe we're more "sides people." Sorry to hijack your post, but I need advice on this! Moms who have done this for years, please advise! (It's only my second time.)
Posted by: Kerri | November 05, 2009 at 09:31 AM
The guidelines I've seen call for 1 pound per meat-eating adult. I don't feel comfortable cooking a monster-size bird, though, so for 26 people (including 1 vegetarian and my 3 young kids) I always got two 15-pounders -- which left plenty for leftovers. For 17 people (still including the vegetarian and kids), I will probably get just one 15-pounder. Haven't really thought it through yet! Maybe your market carries turkey legs that you can roast alongside the whole bird (although obviously for not quite as long)?
Posted by: Karen | November 05, 2009 at 09:38 AM
Could you please plan MY Thanksgiving meal? Tell me what works and I'll make it!
Posted by: Liz | November 05, 2009 at 01:50 PM
We willskip the main meal and have leftovers on Friday. My husband is a newspaper editor which means working on holidays sometimes. Since he is working this Thanksgiving, we are having a complete leftover day on Friday. I'm going to cook everything on Thanksgiving, and put it away for Friday.
Posted by: Sharon | November 05, 2009 at 04:22 PM
I have 22 coming...my solution when it's been under 18 is to do a turkey breast and then a whole turkey. Most people are not dark meat fans and so the breast provides enough white meat to feed everyone. I make the breast first, then the turkey, then heated gravy goes over it all.
Posted by: amy | November 06, 2009 at 07:31 AM
Karen, are you a briner?
Posted by: Trasherati | November 06, 2009 at 06:58 PM
Yes, ma'am! See this post: http://verbatim.blogs.com/verbatim/2005/11/turkey_101.html
Posted by: Karen | November 06, 2009 at 07:23 PM