Similar to this thread, but I want to know which way the food winds blow amongst my fellow Dopers.
Gravy, giblets or not
Cranberry sauce, jellied or whole berry
Stuffing, oysters or not, inside the bird or outside
Turkey, roasted or deep fried
Potatoes, candied sweet, white mashed, or hash brown casserole
For me, my family traditionally had giblet gravy, both kinds of cranberry sauce, both kinds of stuffing (sans oysters)(my wife’s family is the oyster stuffing group), roasted turkey and candied sweet potatoes.
With giblets.
Whole berries.
No oysters but with sausage (preferably andouille). Outside the bird
Roasted.
Both mashed white potatoes and candied yams.
I don’t know if I’ve had gravy made with giblets or not. My grandma died about 20 years ago; that was the last time I had any kind of decent gravy. Do giblets make a difference to the taste?
No cranberry sauce.
Yes, stuffing. I like mine inside the bird, but I’m not likely to ever get it that way again. Definitely no oysters.
I’ve only ever had a roast turkey. But I’d try a deep-fried one.
White mashed potatoes.
Lots of giblets, and chopped boiled egg, in the gravy.
Both kinds of canned cranberry sauce.
Dressing outside the bird. (oysters? ewww.)
Roast turkey, sometimes a baked ham too.
Candied yams or sweet potato casserole.
I can go either way, but since I’m the one making the gravy, usually, it’s no giblets. Choppng the giblets to add to the gravy is just another step and deprives the cats of a treat.
Whole berry, although I grew up with jelled and have the Foley food mill Mom used to make it.
Cornbread, outside the bird. Scalloped oysters as a side dish.
I wll gladly eat roasted or fried. We’re brining and smokng this year.
White mashed. Sweet potatoes fall into the category of “I wouldn’t care if they were rationed.”
Gravy. As MadPansy64 said, it’s all about the gravy, baby. It better be homemade, and made from drippings. I don’t care if it has giblets in it or not. I don’t use them, but my mom always did. We’re eating at my sister’s this year, and I don’t think she uses the giblets, either.
Cranberry sauce must be whole berry, preferably homemade also, with orange marmalade and walnuts. The jellied canned stuff is for kids.
Stuffing. Yes on oysters. If I’m making it, it’s outside the bird. I never stuff my turkey. NO STOVE-TOP STUFFING! It must be real stuffing.
Turkey. Again, if I’m the one making it, it will be brined and roasted. I’ve never had one deep-fried, but I’d love to try it sometime.
Potatoes. Must be real mashed white potatoes, not instant. I hate candied yams and sweet potatoes. My mom makes them with bourbon and marshmallows with pecans on top, and they’re just freaking hideous.
Ugh, no cranberry sauce. I think my mom is the only one who liked that stuff, and even she finally gave up on it.
Stuffing or dressing, but no oysters. Or nuts. And it has to have crunchy bits.
Roasted turkey. Nothing against fried, but roasted for Thanksgiving.
Whipped mashed potatoes. And I’m putting butter on 'em even if they are Yukon Golds and you’re not supposed to need it. My family also likes sweet potatoes, but I can’t stand the things.
I like all the traditional T-day stuff, but what I really look forward to is thinly sliced, breast meat sandwiches, w/ thinly sliced sweet onion, Miracle Whip and horseradish on various types of bread. I love eating these for several days after the turkey is history.
Gravy, giblets or not: Either way. Giblets are best, along with boiled eggs.
Cranberry sauce, jellied or whole berry: Whole berry.
Stuffing, oysters or not, inside the bird or outside: * Outside the bird. No oysters. Oysters are meant to be battered and fried, or served raw on the half-shell.*
Turkey, roasted or deep fried: Either way is fine. I LOVE the fried turkey best, though!
Potatoes, candied sweet, white mashed, or hash brown casserole: Mashed white potatoes are my favorite, but candied sweet potatoes will work. Sweet potatoes best belong in a pie, though. Hash Brown casserole is to die for. Any of these work for me just fine.