Thread: Alternative X-giving Dinners?

On Nov 14, 9:04 am, phaeton <blahbleh...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> [snip]
> Anyone here doing a non-traditional X-giving dinner? Or have you done
> one in the past as a single Joe or Jane that did the trick?
>
Do you live near a Chinatown? If so, go get a roast duck. Simple
sides like egg drop soup, rice and bok choy (don't forget a finger of
fresh ginger for the bok choy). A western dessert of your liking, or
a sliced orange. Easy yet festive -aem

phaeton <[email protected]> wrote in news:d8521e04-8b5c-448b-8f79-
[email protected]:

> For just a single guy a whole turkey would be way more than I could
> ever eat. Just a turkey breast (the ones I see frozen) might be a
> better choice, but to be honest I'm not really that crazy about turkey
> anyways. I thought about cooking a whole chicken in my crock pot, but
> if some other idea comes along that's better, then I'm game. Last year
> I made a shepherd's pie, that creamy broccoli/cauliflower/
> brusselsprouts casserole glop, and stove top stuffing. It was at
> least worth the effort.
>
> Anyone here doing a non-traditional X-giving dinner? Or have you done
> one in the past as a single Joe or Jane that did the trick?
>
> Thanks.
>
> -J


I once bought a sliced smoked turkey breast (maybe a two pounder, I
forget) from the Honey-Baked Ham company. Not as tasty as I'd hoped. But,
combined with canned cranberry sauce and a dish of steaming hot peppered
up jarred turkey gravy for dipping, it made OK sandwiches.

And Bud Light.

Best,

Andy

phaeton wrote:
> For just a single guy a whole turkey would be way more than I could
> ever eat. Just a turkey breast (the ones I see frozen) might be a
> better choice, but to be honest I'm not really that crazy about turkey
> anyways. I thought about cooking a whole chicken in my crock pot, but
> if some other idea comes along that's better, then I'm game. Last year
> I made a shepherd's pie, that creamy broccoli/cauliflower/
> brusselsprouts casserole glop, and stove top stuffing. It was at
> least worth the effort.
>
> Anyone here doing a non-traditional X-giving dinner? Or have you done
> one in the past as a single Joe or Jane that did the trick?
>
> Thanks.
>
> -J


Buy a turkey leg or two, and roast them. Much meatier than a
chicken -- unless you actually /like/ white meat.

Or a ham steak with a sweet mustard/cloves sauce, roast sweet
potato, steamed broccoli, and a fruit salad.

Bob

On Nov 14, 9:04*am, phaeton <blahbleh...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> For just a single guy a whole turkey would be way more than I could
> ever eat. *Just a turkey breast (the ones I see frozen) might be a
> better choice, but to be honest I'm not really that crazy about turkey
> anyways. *I thought about cooking a whole chicken in my crock pot, but
> if some other idea comes along that's better, then I'm game. Last year
> I made a shepherd's pie, that creamy broccoli/cauliflower/
> brusselsprouts casserole glop, and stove top stuffing. *It was at
> least worth the effort.
>
> Anyone here doing a non-traditional X-giving dinner? *Or have you done
> one in the past as a single Joe or Jane that did the trick?
>
> Thanks.
>
> -J

how about going out to dinner at a nice restaurant, and ordering a
prime rib dinner. if you got late enough, around 7m to 8 pm, (or an
your or so just before closing) the families will all pretty much be
gone and you can have a nice quite dinner. i used to do this every
year, when i owned the 24/7 store. i would take the manager with me
and the waitress always made sure we had "lots of leftovers" to take
home.

harriet & critters in azusa (barb schaller's boy brownies are cooking
in the oven for a ladies coffee tomorrow afternoon)

phaeton wrote:

> For just a single guy a whole turkey would be way more than I could
> ever eat. Just a turkey breast (the ones I see frozen) might be a
> better choice, but to be honest I'm not really that crazy about turkey
> anyways. I thought about cooking a whole chicken in my crock pot, but
> if some other idea comes along that's better, then I'm game. Last year
> I made a shepherd's pie, that creamy broccoli/cauliflower/
> brusselsprouts casserole glop, and stove top stuffing. It was at
> least worth the effort.
>
> Anyone here doing a non-traditional X-giving dinner? Or have you done
> one in the past as a single Joe or Jane that did the trick?

I like to make Thanksgiving different every year, so I rarely make the
traditional turkey dinner for Thanksgiving. My planned menu this year is:

kale-sausage soup

pork roast with persimmons
pork jus
cauliflower puree
applesauce with allspice (We plan to make an Apple Hill trip next week)
winter squash with herbes de Provence
green salad with cider vinaigrette

kiwi shortcake (might not happen; kiwis haven't shown up in the market yet.)
pumpkin-hazelnut pastries


Looking at past Thanksgiving menus I've made, I think this one from 2005
might fit the bill for you:

Deviled Eggs
Parmesan crisps

Creamy Chestnut-Arugula Soup

Hot Melon Salad on Field Greens (This Alton Brown recipe was something of a
flop for me; maybe you'd have better luck than I did.)

Roasted Goose Breast with Blackberry Sauce
Thyme Popovers

Green Beans with Butter, Lemon, and Hazelnuts
Parsnip-Potato Puree

Spicy Sweet-Potato Pie
Black Pear Tart
Vanilla Ice Cream, Gran Marnier Zabaglione, and Whipped Cream for topping


Bob

In article
<[email protected]>,
phaeton <[email protected]> wrote:

> For just a single guy a whole turkey would be way more than I could
> ever eat. Just a turkey breast (the ones I see frozen) might be a
> better choice, but to be honest I'm not really that crazy about turkey
> anyways. I thought about cooking a whole chicken in my crock pot, but
> if some other idea comes along that's better, then I'm game. Last year
> I made a shepherd's pie, that creamy broccoli/cauliflower/
> brusselsprouts casserole glop, and stove top stuffing. It was at
> least worth the effort.
>
> Anyone here doing a non-traditional X-giving dinner? Or have you done
> one in the past as a single Joe or Jane that did the trick?
>
> Thanks.
>
> -J

How about a duck or a cornish game hen or two?
--
Peace! Om

"Human nature seems to be to control other people until they put their foot down."
--Steve Rothstein

Web Albums: <http://picasaweb.google.com/OMPOmelet>
[email protected]
Subscribe: [email protected]

"aem" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]..
> On Nov 14, 9:04 am, phaeton <blahbleh...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>> [snip]
>> Anyone here doing a non-traditional X-giving dinner? Or have you done
>> one in the past as a single Joe or Jane that did the trick?
>>
> Do you live near a Chinatown? If so, go get a roast duck. Simple
> sides like egg drop soup, rice and bok choy (don't forget a finger of
> fresh ginger for the bok choy). A western dessert of your liking, or
> a sliced orange. Easy yet festive -aem
>

I was planning to roast a corniish game hen but I've done that for the last
few years so it's getting old. I was thinking about half a roast duck for
Thanksgiving. I can buy one pre-roasted at the grocery store (not from a
Chinese market, as there are none around). And I won't be making it into a
Chinese inspired meal since the Chinese aren't the only people who eat roast
duck

Jill

On Sat, 14 Nov 2009 09:04:42 -0800 (PST), phaeton
<[email protected]> wrote:

>Anyone here doing a non-traditional X-giving dinner? Or have you done
>one in the past as a single Joe or Jane that did the trick?

If you're not doing a turkey or turkey part will all the trimmings,
then Turkey Day is just like any other day - especially if you're
cooking for just yourself.

If you just plain don't want/like turkey, but would give a nod to
other T-Day trimmings, try rolled pork loin with an apple stuffing.


Apple Stuffed Pork Loin Roast
Paula Deen, 2007

Prep Time: 10 min
Inactive Prep Time: 1 hr 10 min
Cook Time: 1 hr 45 min
Level: Easy
Serves: 6 to 8


Ingredients

* 3 tablespoons olive oil
* 1 large onion, chopped
* 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and chopped
* 8 fresh sage leaves
* 2 cups thick-cut white bread cubes, crusts removed
* 1 egg, beaten
* 2 tablespoons butter
* Salt and pepper
* 1/2 to 1 cup chicken broth, plus more if needed
* 1 (3 pound) pork loin roast, butterflied

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the
onion, apples and sage. Saute until softened. Remove from the heat and
gently stir in the bread, egg, butter and salt and pepper. Add the
chicken broth gradually until everything is moistened. Let the
stuffing mixture cool completely before putting it in the pork loin.
Spoon the stuffing down the pork, horizontally, in a line. Roll the
pork over the stuffing, jelly roll style, ending with the seam down
and fat side up. Lightly score the fat, in a diamond pattern, with a
sharp knife. Tightly tie the pork roast up with butcher's twine,
season it with more salt and pepper, and transfer to a roasting pan.

Roast the pork in a preheated oven for about 90 minutes or until an
instant-read thermometer registers 160 degrees F.

Remove from the oven and let rest for 15 minutes before slicing.

Garnish with apples and fresh herbs.





--
I love cooking with wine.
Sometimes I even put it in the food.

"phaeton" wrote

> For just a single guy a whole turkey would be way more than I could
> ever eat. Just a turkey breast (the ones I see frozen) might be a

> Anyone here doing a non-traditional X-giving dinner? Or have you done
> one in the past as a single Joe or Jane that did the trick?

Hi J!

Although the below has way too many sides for a singlit eater, it's a base
that is really and truely what we had that year and can be scaled for a
single eater very easily.

You could 'un-japan' it easily by making a single yam with some honey and
perhaps a handful of red or purple seedless grapes (raisins might work too)
and just baste the little beastie with butter. About 1 cup of stove top
stuffing will work for a cornish hen, wer had extra on the side to make the
meat stretch for 2 adults and a 7YO.

As I was very limited in the larder (commisary closed etc) I made do with
what we had. More notes below the recipe.

---------- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.05

Title: Xxcarol's Japan Thanksgiving
Categories: Xxcarol, Holiday, Cornish hen
Yield: 3 Servings

2 c Stuffing-baked
1 ea Cornish hen
1 lg Japanese sweet yam
2 c Rice- medium calrose
1/4 c Saki
1/4 c Smashed japanese grapes-red
3 sm Carrots- sliced pretty
2 md Japanese cucumbers
3 sl Bitter melon
4 ea Green onions- whole
1 c Red beans- sweet

Ok, whaddaya do when you get in port at 6pm day the day before
Thanksgiving?

You start by defrosting the only 'bird' ya got! That was a cornish hen.
Split 3 ways, it's not alot of meat but we have the other stuff to makeup
for that. Make up stuffing (I used bagged pepperidge farm) and stuff the
hen as much as reasonably possible. The rest goes in a baking dish to the
side.

Make a batch of rice in the ricemaker and in the steamer above, add the
red
beans (pre-cooked) and the bitter melon slices.

Slice the sweet yam and add to it the saki and mashed grapes. Add
sufficient water to cover and taste test for sweetness once the yams are
done. Add molasses or light karo syrup to taste.

Baste the hen with the sauces from the yam pot (add more to yam pot as
needed).

Steam or blanche the carrots lightly then add the fresh cucumber. A dab
of
sugared ginger atop makes it perfect! No dressing neededbut if you
insist,
make it a sweet-vinigary one.

5 mins before the hen is done, lace the green onions into a chain and ring
them around the bird.

When all is done, put the hen on a platter with the yams to the side and
use an ice-cream scoop to ball up stuffing on the other side. Place green
onion ring around it all and the carrots/cucumbers towards the feet. In
this case, a lazy-susan dish is perfect if large! I added rice and sweet
beans to the head portion of mine (extra at the stove) and put a slice of
bitter melon on each plate.

Dessert? We were too stuffed! But we had on the ready, fresh tangerines
and vanilla ice-cream. Line the dish with the tangerine slices then add a
scoop of ice-cream. Drizzle with chocolate syrup.

From the kitchen of: xxcarol
22 November 2001
Sasebo Japan

-----

For you, I''d stuff a cornish hen, round it at the end with the green onion
for pretty, and have fresh steamed carrorts and green beans with buttered
mushrooms at the foot. I'd slice a bosk pear and place at the head then
line the sides with the yams. If I wanted gravy, I'd go with a jar. I'd
probably make one of those smallest cans of biscuits (they have 5 per can I
think).

phaeton <[email protected]> wrote in news:d8521e04-8b5c-448b-8f79-
[email protected]:

> For just a single guy a whole turkey would be way more than I could
> ever eat. Just a turkey breast (the ones I see frozen) might be a
> better choice, but to be honest I'm not really that crazy about turkey
> anyways. I thought about cooking a whole chicken in my crock pot, but
> if some other idea comes along that's better, then I'm game. Last year
> I made a shepherd's pie, that creamy broccoli/cauliflower/
> brusselsprouts casserole glop, and stove top stuffing. It was at
> least worth the effort.
>
> Anyone here doing a non-traditional X-giving dinner? Or have you done
> one in the past as a single Joe or Jane that did the trick?
>



McDonalds???



--
Peter Lucas
Brisbane
Australia


If we are not meant to eat animals,
why are they made of meat?

phaeton wrote:
>
> For just a single guy a whole turkey would be way more than I could
> ever eat. Just a turkey breast (the ones I see frozen) might be a
> better choice, but to be honest I'm not really that crazy about turkey
> anyways. I thought about cooking a whole chicken in my crock pot, but
> if some other idea comes along that's better, then I'm game. Last year
> I made a shepherd's pie, that creamy broccoli/cauliflower/
> brusselsprouts casserole glop, and stove top stuffing. It was at
> least worth the effort.
>
> Anyone here doing a non-traditional X-giving dinner? Or have you done
> one in the past as a single Joe or Jane that did the trick?
>
> Thanks.
>
> -J


Duck this year! We don't care for turkey that much at any time of year.

On Sat 14 Nov 2009 10:04:42a, phaeton told us...

> For just a single guy a whole turkey would be way more than I could
> ever eat. Just a turkey breast (the ones I see frozen) might be a
> better choice, but to be honest I'm not really that crazy about turkey
> anyways. I thought about cooking a whole chicken in my crock pot, but
> if some other idea comes along that's better, then I'm game. Last year
> I made a shepherd's pie, that creamy broccoli/cauliflower/
> brusselsprouts casserole glop, and stove top stuffing. It was at
> least worth the effort.
>
> Anyone here doing a non-traditional X-giving dinner? Or have you done
> one in the past as a single Joe or Jane that did the trick?
>
> Thanks.
>
> -J

Even if I were only cooking for myself, I would still want something that
made me "think" Thanksgiving.

I would roast a Cornish hen with stuffing, Bake a sweet potato, steam some
Brussels sprouts or asparagus, and serve that up with some cranberry sauce
and a hot roll or two.

The Cornish hen will probably be froze, but they turn out quite well. You
can get frozen pre-baked dinner rolls that are really quite good. If you
don't bake, or simply don't want to bake, pick up a pumpkin pie from a good
bakery.



--

~~ If there's a nit to pick, some nitwit will pick it. ~~

~~ A mind is a terrible thing to lose. ~~

************************************************** ********

Wayne Boatwright

jmcquown wrote:
> "aem" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]..
>> On Nov 14, 9:04 am, phaeton <blahbleh...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>>> [snip]
>>> Anyone here doing a non-traditional X-giving dinner? Or have you done
>>> one in the past as a single Joe or Jane that did the trick?
>>>
>> Do you live near a Chinatown? If so, go get a roast duck. Simple
>> sides like egg drop soup, rice and bok choy (don't forget a finger of
>> fresh ginger for the bok choy). A western dessert of your liking, or
>> a sliced orange. Easy yet festive -aem
>>
>
> I was planning to roast a corniish game hen but I've done that for the
> last few years so it's getting old. I was thinking about half a roast
> duck for Thanksgiving. I can buy one pre-roasted at the grocery store
> (not from a Chinese market, as there are none around). And I won't be
> making it into a Chinese inspired meal since the Chinese aren't the only
> people who eat roast duck
>
> Jill

Living alone must be getting very old!

Rob

phaeton told us...
>
>> For just a single guy a whole turkey would be way more than I could
>> ever eat. Just a turkey breast (the ones I see frozen) might be a
>> better choice, but to be honest I'm not really that crazy about turkey
>> anyways. I thought about cooking a whole chicken in my crock pot, but
>> if some other idea comes along that's better, then I'm game. Last year
>> I made a shepherd's pie, that creamy broccoli/cauliflower/
>> brusselsprouts casserole glop, and stove top stuffing. It was at
>> least worth the effort.
>>
>> Anyone here doing a non-traditional X-giving dinner? Or have you done
>> one in the past as a single Joe or Jane that did the trick?
>>
If you're really "not crazy about turkey" and you're just feeding you
then make something you are crazy about, and since you only have to
satisfy you now's your chance to indulge yourself. There have been
times when it's been just me and my cats on a holiday and simply as a
change (I even like turkey) I've roasted half a fresh ham. I prefer
the butt half, costs a bit more per pound but it's meatier and easier
to carve than the shank half... with a bit of kitchen talent you can
debone it (or ask the butcher), tie it, even stuff it, makes a very
tasty and festive presentation. And it can be portioned and frozen
for later. Sometimes fresh ham, with stuffing, gravy, and all the
standard Thankgiving acouterments is just as good if not better than
turkey. And anyone doesn't think a whole fresh ham (the king of meat
cuts) doesn't make a better presentation than a silly gobbler is nuts.

Go shopping:
http://i36.tinypic.com/23u3e4z.jpg

Well seasoned (Penzeys adobo is da bomb):
http://i34.tinypic.com/2wf39sm.jpg

Beautifully roasted:
http://i37.tinypic.com/dy9b1e.jpg

Favorite holiday side:
http://i36.tinypic.com/mkiqg6.jpg

Sliced fresh roast ham makes better than turkey sammiches... goes
great with rice n' bean pilafs, even diced to make teriffic poke fly
lice. And even though not smoked a meaty fresh ham bone makes
excellent soups.

On Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:41:02 -0500, Rob <[email protected]> wrote:

>jmcquown wrote:
>> "aem" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]..
>>> On Nov 14, 9:04 am, phaeton <blahbleh...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>>>> [snip]
>>>> Anyone here doing a non-traditional X-giving dinner? Or have you done
>>>> one in the past as a single Joe or Jane that did the trick?
>>>>
>>> Do you live near a Chinatown? If so, go get a roast duck. Simple
>>> sides like egg drop soup, rice and bok choy (don't forget a finger of
>>> fresh ginger for the bok choy). A western dessert of your liking, or
>>> a sliced orange. Easy yet festive -aem
>>>
>>
>> I was planning to roast a corniish game hen but I've done that for the
>> last few years so it's getting old. I was thinking about half a roast
>> duck for Thanksgiving. I can buy one pre-roasted at the grocery store
>> (not from a Chinese market, as there are none around). And I won't be
>> making it into a Chinese inspired meal since the Chinese aren't the only
>> people who eat roast duck
>>
>> Jill
>
>Living alone must be getting very old!
>
>Rob

DK. You're so transparent and needy.

--
I love cooking with wine.
Sometimes I even put it in the food.

On Nov 14, 12:04 pm, phaeton <blahbleh...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> For just a single guy a whole turkey would be way more than I could
> ever eat. Just a turkey breast (the ones I see frozen) might be a
> better choice, but to be honest I'm not really that crazy about turkey
> anyways. I thought about cooking a whole chicken in my crock pot, but
> if some other idea comes along that's better, then I'm game. Last year
> I made a shepherd's pie, that creamy broccoli/cauliflower/
> brusselsprouts casserole glop, and stove top stuffing. It was at
> least worth the effort.
>
> Anyone here doing a non-traditional X-giving dinner? Or have you done
> one in the past as a single Joe or Jane that did the trick?
>
> Thanks.
>
> -J

I don't mean to rub salt into a wound - but you need some friends.
(So do I, for that matter, so please don't think I'm being mean.) Or
at least people. Thanksgiving isn't about food, but about sharing,
and you need other people for that. I've had great meal evenings with
people I didn't really know and mostly never saw again. Pot-lucks
with friends of friends. If you have the hint of an invitation,
follow it up. You can be the hero and bring the bird. Save the stove-
top-stuffing for those lonely nights in front of the TV.

Bulka

On Nov 14, 1:24*pm, "jmcquown" <j_mcqu...@comcast.net> wrote:
> "aem" <aem_ag...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>
> news:[email protected]..
>
> > On Nov 14, 9:04 am, phaeton <blahbleh...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> >> [snip]
> >> Anyone here doing a non-traditional X-giving dinner? *Or have you done
> >> one in the past as a single Joe or Jane that did the trick?

One year it was very sad. My wife and I were living in Tampa, and the
closest I got to turkey was a can of chicken noodle soup.
>
> > Do you live near a Chinatown? *If so, go get a roast duck. *Simple
> > sides like egg drop soup, rice and bok choy (don't forget a finger of
> > fresh ginger for the bok choy). *A western dessert of your liking, or
> > a sliced orange. *Easy yet festive

I can do w/o bok choy, but Chinese takeout is certainly a tradition
with less orthodox Jews on Christmas, and maybe T-Giving as well. I
love Chinese takeout duck the way some of the places here make it.

> -aem
>
> I was planning to roast a corniish game hen but I've done that for the last
> few years so it's getting old. *I was thinking about half a roast duck for
> Thanksgiving. *I can buy one pre-roasted at the grocery store (not froma
> Chinese market, as there are none around). *And I won't be making it into a
> Chinese inspired meal since the Chinese aren't the only people who eat roast
> duck

We have those little hens every week or two. My wife often makes them
on Thursday--or sometimes Friday--nights when I work. I had the the
leftovers from Fri night's this morning for breakfast. When we have a
larger place, next year, I'd like to invite a few lonely folks, not
complete strangers, and certainly not unwashed people, just people who
don't have family in town to share in a meal. In spite of being non-
theistic, I do think that thankfulness is nevertheless important, and
could happily be pretty ecumenical in my celebration. Maybe invite a
couple of the Joe's Place guys:
http://www.joesplacestl.org/
>
> Jill

--Bryan

>
> I don't mean to rub salt into a wound - but you need some friends.
> (So do I, for that matter, so please don't think I'm being mean.) Or
> at least people. *Thanksgiving isn't about food, but about sharing,
> and you need other people for that. *I've had great meal evenings with
> people I didn't really know and mostly never saw again. *Pot-lucks
> with friends of friends. *If you have the hint of an invitation,
> follow it up. *You can be the hero and bring the bird. *Save the stove-
> top-stuffing for those lonely nights in front of the TV.
>
> Bulka

Thanks Bulka, i know your intent is kind and helpful. I actually do
have some friends, but they've all got family to go to for the
holidays. My only invitation means a 15 hour drive to Georgia, which
in this stage of the game might be a bit much for the old truck (just
rolled over 166,000 miles). Theoretically I should have a wife or
even a family of my own to share the holidays with, but I'm well past
the age of "attractiveness", even for people my own age. I'd have
some dogs, but apartment living forbids it. So yeah, I shall be alone
this year again. But I'm ok with that. Not everyone gets to be a
rock star for their whole life.

-J

On Nov 14, 11:46*am, "Bob Terwilliger" <virtualgoth@die_spammer.biz>
wrote:
> phaeton wrote:
> > For just a single guy a whole turkey would be way more than I could
> > ever eat. *Just a turkey breast (the ones I see frozen) might be a
> > better choice, but to be honest I'm not really that crazy about turkey
> > anyways. *I thought about cooking a whole chicken in my crock pot, but
> > if some other idea comes along that's better, then I'm game. Last year
> > I made a shepherd's pie, that creamy broccoli/cauliflower/
> > brusselsprouts casserole glop, and stove top stuffing. *It was at
> > least worth the effort.
>
> > Anyone here doing a non-traditional X-giving dinner? *Or have you done
> > one in the past as a single Joe or Jane that did the trick?
>
> I like to make Thanksgiving different every year, so I rarely make the
> traditional turkey dinner for Thanksgiving. My planned menu this year is:

*snip phony menu

He asked for ideas for a SINGLE GUY.....not a friggin' spread from the
windmills of your mind. Sheesh. Any opportunity to brag it up and
try to impress!