I always make the same thing for Thanksgiving. But I am sick and tired of having to 'reserve' oven time and make sure I put my food in the oven on time and keep an eye on it and all that jazz. We're always at someone elses house and there are plenty of kids to keep an eye on and I'd just like one year to take a break from the oven. (btw - I always make the green bean casserole. and we are a family that loves the toasty top from the French onions).
So this year I'd like to bring a crock pot dish that I can plug in and perhaps just have to occsionally stir. So what do you ladies think? I could cook it an hour or so before leaving the house, then I could, if need be, cook it in the car the hour long drive there (we have an AC adaptor for the car). Then it'd have another hour or so to cook before we actually eat.
Should I just make queso for an appetizer? Any good recipe for your fav crock pot queso?
Or is there a side-dish that you highly recommend for Thanskgiving meal that doesn't take all day?
I take any and all suggestions!
Mmmm. I read them in reverse order. So first I thought that mac n cheese sounded good/different plus we do have some picky eaters in the family, so it may be a big hit with the kiddos. Reminds me that I just the other day I had a mac n cheese with sausage, tomatoes, and olives, perhaps something I could make in the crock pot. But then I read the applesauce suggestion. That sounds nice too! Although I am not sure if a kiddo would choose applesauce over a big slice of cake. Then I thought "I guess I could just do regular green beans with bacon and onion etc." Then I read that it's easy enough to do the casserole in the crock pot too. So all in all, NOT sure yet. Will check out that link one of you suggested. And I may PM a few of you for a recipe. THANKS a ton!
We like what my aunt calls Classy Dip. It's 4 blocks of cream cheese, a pound of breakfast sausage, and a can of Rotel. You can also add mushrooms. (I just don't like them so I don't use them.) If you brown the sausage ahead of time, all you have to do is throw it together and stir while it melts. You can serve it with crackers or a veggie tray. My husband's family requests this one now.
I always make applesauce in the crockpot for Thanksgiving. It can be ready in a couple hours, but I like to cook it on low all day, because it makes the whole house smell AMAZING. :)
A bag of apples (I like red, but I know a lot of people that use granny smith), a small bag of brown sugar, and lemon juice to squirt on the apples as you peel and cut them up to keep them from turning brown. Quick, easy, and yummy.
As you cook the apples, use a potatoe masher every once in awhile to mush the apples up, it will be chunky and delicious.
Here's a whole list!
http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2007/11/crockpot-holiday-...
You can STILL make the greenbean casserole. Just make it ahead of time, put in the fridge in the crockpot overnight, turn the CP on low to rewarm it either during the ride or at the house you're going to. Put in serving dish and add fried onion 5min before eating.
Mac and cheese is easy in the crock pot and a big hit with kids and parents alike. I hear you on the oven time - what a beat down trying to time everything!
i have a yummy crock pot mac n cheese recipe...PM me if you want it
The crockpot would lend itself to so many awesome thanksgiving foods:
candied yams, cranberry sauce, sloppy stuffed mushrooms (more like a caserole than pass around appetizer); cream of asparagus soup, braised brussel sprouts with onions and bacon, wild rice. Everything but the turkey. Enjoy.
We have made the g.b. casserole in the C.P. for years. We mix it the same way, and then plug it in so it will be done when we are ready to eat. Timing depends on how much you make. I put the French's onions on the top about 5 minutes before service and in a dish on the side for those who like extra :) Everyone helps themself right from the C.P. We do dinner buffet style :)
Yum!! Can't wait!
Hello Spring Brancher (I grew up there and my Mom still lives in the hood).
I have found great Crock Pot recipes for all the traditional sides just by doing a google search for them - then I read through and decide which one I like best. I have been doing my sweet potatoes, gravy, and cranberries in the CP for years.
Happy Thanksgiving!
You have some great suggestions! I will give you the way to cheat on the gb casserole for those times when it's expected. You can get away with heating in the microwave and stirring to get it all hot, then only need the five minutes in the oven once they are evenly heated to add the onions on the top and brown them. Nothing actually has to cook, just get heated so you still get the bubbly, hot, delicious, browned casserole you're used to.
I appreciate your question; I'm going to check out some of these ideas to save some room in my oven this year, too!
Last year my mom was in the hospital so I had Tgiving for the first time and did it all by myself. I put all my sides in crocks...mashed potatoes, stuffing and green beans. Not only was it so much easier, but they STAYED hot since I served buffet style and just left them plugging in on Low or Warm. Everyone LOVED it and said it was great! If you or anyone else wants the recipes, message me your email address and I will be happy to send them. =)
