[Mike (AZBarbeque)]

OK, what are your top 4 favorite Side Items to have with your Thanksgiving meal?

I know there are so many of them and they are all good, but what are your favorites that you can not live without??

[KidCurry]

I  also love rice-a-roni with my turkey...go figure.   

[desertdog]

Ham is a side item?  I always thought it was a Co-Main for those who don't like Turkey?

The corn has to be scalloped corn with the crumbled saltines on top, of course.

The last couple years we have begun experimenting with "alternative" side items, or doing the traditional stuff a little differently.  Never done a Turducken, but I am intrigued!

This year will be no exception with the experimentation, although I have not yet put together the menu.  Looks like I will be doing most of the work this year, so I will be watching these threads for great ideas.

[Mrs. McFrankenboo]

There is no substituting on Thanksgiving which is why I don't like going to other people's houses!!  It's turkey, Stove Top stuffing, Franco-American turkey gravy (my own can), broccoli casserole, my mom's potatoes, and my mom's pumpkin pie loaded with Cool Whip, oh yeah,  and you can leave the creepy jellied cranberry at home and none of that yam crap with marshmallows either!  Ugh!

I love Thanksgiving food though, kind of makes me wonder why we really only eat that stuff once of year. Now I'm really hungry...or I just need a nap 

[KidCurry]

The corn has to be scalloped corn with the crumbled saltines on top, of course.

more info please

[Tex A Que]

come on boo...nothing beats cranberry sauce in the shape of the can.

[Mrs. McFrankenboo]

It's in the shape of a can AND it wiggles!

[Three4Que]

Turkey, mom's cranberry sauce (if I can con her into making me some), homemade Turkey gravy, homemade mashed potatoes (NO instants!!), stuffing, green bean casserole, relish plate, candied yams (no marshmallows), creamed onions, fried corn, feather rolls (mom's recipe-light as a feather, also great for turkey sandwhiches), Pumpkin, Apple, Cherry, and Lemon Meringue pies.  No Smoked oysters (father-in-laws favorite, YUCK!) though.

We will be trying a smoked turkey this year also. 

[AzQer]

I do love me some sweet potato cassarole with corn flakes and pecans yum yum. Crap just drooled on my key board.

[desertdog]

The corn has to be scalloped corn with the crumbled saltines on top, of course.

more info please

for a small batch...
1 can creamed corn
1 egg,  a little bit of milk--mix the two and pour in...we often used canned milk to make it richer.
1 big fat handful of soda crackers crushed in your hands
salt and pepper
mix up, add more crushed crackers on top with a few blobs of butter.
You don't want it too soupy so don't use too much milk.
Bake it at 350 for 45 min to an hour
 
double or triple if you need a bunch.

[Uzona]

edit... nevermind..  just saw there's a seperate poll for desserts.

My wife's family is Italian.   They serve a large antipasto platter about two hours prior to every holiday meal.  It is followed by traditional Thanksgiving dinner.   It's an interesting fusion of Italian and American traditions.

[force]

My dad's corn bread and sage sausage receipe stuffing....... keep in mind his name was Texas.......... need I say more.........

[toys4dlr]

Karyn has a recipe for a cranberry side that is fresh cranberrys, blended with  grated horse radish and some sugar (I think) and mixed in a food processor.  A simple side that is good that night, but better on Turkey Sandwiches.

[desertdog]

The corn has to be scalloped corn with the crumbled saltines on top, of course.

more info please

for a small batch...
1 can creamed corn
1 egg,  a little bit of milk--mix the two and pour in...we often used canned milk to make it richer.
1 big fat handful of soda crackers crushed in your hands
salt and pepper
mix up, add more crushed crackers on top with a few blobs of butter.
You don't want it too soupy so don't use too much milk.
Bake it at 350 for 45 min to an hour
 
double or triple if you need a bunch.

AND from my Aunt Shirley:

Dean I don't really have a recipe but this is what I have given to the kids, My Grandma Olson told me how to make it.  Olson Corn

2 cans cream style corn,  3/4 cup milk, 2 eggs, 1/4 cup [sugar is the secret]  1 pkg soda crackers crushed,  pepper to taste.  mix well and Put into a well greased 8x10 baking dish,   Dot with butter, Bake 350* oven for a hour until golden brown on top.  This should feed 8 people,  If I am making it for a big group I just double it. I'm sure I double it when I brought it to your place. put it in a larger 9x13 baking dish or a foil pan.  Grandma told me if I liked it more crusty as she would say add more crackers.  Far as I know no body has a recipe,  Just been passed down by word of mouth.  I know it will turn out okay for you too.  Happy eating. 

[KidCurry]

New to me but sounds pretty good!  i will have to try it out, I may have a new favorite dish!