Thanksgiving Out of The Box

Posted Tue, Nov 13, 2007, 4:39 pm PST

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Alice Waters, I'm afraid that when it comes to Thanksgiving, you're going to have to give me a pass. Because when it comes to Thanksgiving I'm much more Sandra Lee than Alice Waters. Yes, that's right, I'm the Thanksgiving Semi-Homemade King. Here's my tried and true Thanksgiving out of the box, straight outta seriouseats.com, where you'll also find lots of out of the box Thanksgiving suggestions.

Turkey: Who has time to brine a turkey? I buy a kosher bird, which has essentially been brined when it's processed.

The Stuffing: Pepperidge Farm cubed cornbread stuffing and then adding some Italian parsley, sage, one large Vidalia-like onion, and the sausage, pecans, and apples. This stuffing turns out so good I can't imagine actually making the Silver Palate stuffing recipe comes out any better.

Mashed Potatoes: Go for the mashed potatoes from Kentucky Fried Chicken or Popeye's, or the George Killeen's mashed potatoes are really easy and so, so, good.

Sweet Potatoes: This is one dish I do sort of feel guilty about. I use canned sweet potatoes in light syrup, rinse off the light syrup in a colander, put the sweet potatoes either through a food processor or in a blender, and then put them on the stove in a pasta pot and then start adding maple syrup, butter, heavy cream, and some dried cranberries. I've made these with freshly roasted sweet potatoes, and once I added in the mixings I found I couldn't tell the difference between the fresh and the canned sweet potatoes.

Gravy: I buy two pints of storebought gravy. This year I bought some Thomas Keller frozen chicken stock, so I am thinking about making some gravy using Keller's stock.

Relish: I usually buy cranberry-orange relish from a local gourmet store, Citarella, but after interviewing Chris Kimball this year for Serious Eats, I'm going to take his advice and make the cranberry sauce recipe on the back of the frozen cranberry bag, making sure to add a half-teaspoon of salt.

Green vegetable: I'm with Kimball on this issue as well. He says his Thanksgiving meal is a study in white, brown, and orange. Ours is, too, though my wife makes a really good broccoli puree with creme fraîche from the Silver Palate that is enlivened by Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Pie: The best, store-bought pie is made by VermontMysticPie.com, available at Whole Foods. The apples in it are tender and cinammony, and if the crust was a little flakier it would be perfect.

So there you have it, Serious Eaters, the Ed Levine Semi-Serious Semi-Homemade Thanksgiving. I put my fate in your hands. Am I fated to end up in Food Hell, or will all of you take pity on an insanely busy person who still wants deliciousness surrounding him at Thanksgiving, but lacks both the know-how and the time to make everything from scratch.

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51 Comments

1. Posted by Aldora Dawn on Sat, Nov 17, 2007, 2:57 pm PST

I hate to say it but...what tradition is your menu about? You might as well save a buck, and if you have no time to put in the effort - go to KFC for dinner. I make traditional turkey dinner at least 4 times a year all from scratch, it really doesnt take up that much time. The oven does most of the work!
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2. Posted by gec4716 on Tue, Nov 20, 2007, 2:26 pm PST

Can you say lazy?
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3. Posted by luv_ly_lay_de on Tue, Nov 20, 2007, 2:27 pm PST

What a horrible suggestion! Don't even eat a "Thanksgiving" dinner if you can't make it. This time is for showing your family and friends love by taking time to make a special meal for all to enjoy. To say you don't have enough time is no excuse...turn the tv off and show some love! Lack of simple gestures such as a good meal are what's wrong with the world!
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4. Posted by aheverwhay on Tue, Nov 20, 2007, 2:28 pm PST

this sounds gross, blargh
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5. Posted by ellen s on Tue, Nov 20, 2007, 2:30 pm PST

i love it! i'm so with you!
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6. Posted by Lauren on Tue, Nov 20, 2007, 2:32 pm PST

americans are lazy.
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7. Posted by Lauren on Tue, Nov 20, 2007, 2:33 pm PST

americans are lazy.
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8. Posted by ellen s on Tue, Nov 20, 2007, 2:33 pm PST

oh please, quit complaining!! after working all week, fighting traffic and cranky people potatoes from KFC sounds pretty good! if you want real ones, bring them!!
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9. Posted by Deborah C on Tue, Nov 20, 2007, 2:34 pm PST

I completely agree with luv_ly_lay_de, I also make a thanksgiving-ish type meal several times a year (with a roast, or whole chicken most times) and it really doesnt take that long to make. Plus it brings our family together for more than just one or two times a year.
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10. Posted by on Tue, Nov 20, 2007, 2:34 pm PST

I thought I was the worst, but that's got me beat. I'm only cooking for three people. I plan to have turkey drumsticks, stove top stuffing, gravy from a jar, frozen corn, microwaved steamed aspargus, and canned cranberries. I do make my own homemade mashed potatoes. I work full-time and attend college full-time, plus, I don't want to have too much food left over.
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11. Posted by Drew P on Tue, Nov 20, 2007, 2:35 pm PST

Some poeple are way to busy with their career so this is ok in a pinch!
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12. Posted by glinwyn on Tue, Nov 20, 2007, 2:37 pm PST

Good for you!!! Save time to spend with your family and friends -- I use these shortcuts every year and NOBODY knows the difference.
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13. Posted by glinwyn on Tue, Nov 20, 2007, 2:40 pm PST

Good for you!!! Save time to spend with your family and friends -- I use these shortcuts every year and NOBODY knows the difference.
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14. Posted by melanie on Tue, Nov 20, 2007, 2:41 pm PST

you people are all idiots. you all say people are just being lazy if they make a meal like this, but some people have kids to take care of and really DON'T have the time to prpare such a large meal. thanksgiving isn't just about eating. it's about being with the people you love and care about. no one says you have to give thanks to just the food you eat. be thankful that you have a family and that you have friends, not that you can cook a mean turkey. get real and get over yourselves.
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15. Posted by samantha m on Tue, Nov 20, 2007, 2:43 pm PST

that is lazy. and just plain crazy. you must not cair about thanksgiveing. i just had a baby but im still gonna go all out.
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16. Posted by diehl.kristen on Tue, Nov 20, 2007, 2:43 pm PST

no what's wrong with the worl are all you jerks with nothing positive to say. If you like spending 6 hours on dinner then why read the article in the first place. If it's all about quality time with the family then spend the five minutes it just took you to read this and btch about it with yours. I for take this for what it is, helpful suggestions for people who don't want to spend all day in the kitchen. Some families like to spend their "quality time" over a simple meal and a relaxing afternoon, and want to make sure no one person gets stuck in the kitchen the whole time. We shouldn't have to expect someone to spend so much time and effort and money on a huge feast just to have something to be thankful for. Why can't we be thankful for the simple little things too?
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17. Posted by John on Tue, Nov 20, 2007, 2:43 pm PST

I agree, Americans are lazy. What happened to the heddy days of slaving for hours and hours over a hot stove, while the "men folk" fattened their guts on beer watching 22 hours of football? Get over it. We've become a "I want it now society" and as long as it tastes good, it doesn't matter how long it took to prepare.
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18. Posted by lakegirl on Tue, Nov 20, 2007, 2:44 pm PST

hey, it works for me I don't like turkey, my daughter is a vegetarian and our plans are indefinite. So my son is getting a frozen turkey roll. I can't stand them but he likes them so who cares?
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19. Posted by eatthistoo on Tue, Nov 20, 2007, 2:45 pm PST

I agree with people being busy with their careers, but I mean when your career is in the FOOD industry, you expect at least mediocre effort, this is pathetic
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20. Posted by chaposgirl1181 on Tue, Nov 20, 2007, 2:46 pm PST

If this is the way you wanna go, why not....I don't make everything from scratch but I do take a lot of time preparing the meal. Some of the stuff doesn't sound to great to me...but I don't mind taking a few shortcuts.
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21. Posted by victoria-lewis@sbcglobal.net on Tue, Nov 20, 2007, 2:46 pm PST

In reality we all make short cuts to put together a dinner for thanksgiving, your suggestions I thought just reminded me that many people do the very things you stated but perhaps different name brands and going to restaurants for things we just don't have time or experience to make,,,,,,,I AGREE WITH YOU IN TODAYS BUSY WORLD.
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22. Posted by GiGi on Tue, Nov 20, 2007, 2:47 pm PST

This is awful. I don't care how short on time you are--no excuse for this. We eat disgusting food out of a box and microwaved every day---this is the one day to honor food and give thanks for it. If you can't cook real food, then don't cook at all. This year my family has NO time to put together Thanksgiving so we are going out to eat. It may seem impersonal but we'll have good food and each other and I'd have that over a boxed meal at home any day.
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23. Posted by kariljr on Tue, Nov 20, 2007, 2:50 pm PST

I'm with you, less work more time for family
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24. Posted by tacleearls on Tue, Nov 20, 2007, 2:57 pm PST

I'm all for short cuts. For those that complained about the laziness of short cuts for Thanksgiving, my family thinks it's more important to spend time with one another instead of cooking. However, we still cook, but we do it from home. Everyone brings a dish to the grandparents' house, and we have a potluck Thanksgiving dinner. We get all of the favorites, but the cooking isn't put on just one or two. That way, EVERYONE gets to enjoy the visit.
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25. Posted by Frances H on Tue, Nov 20, 2007, 3:02 pm PST

I prefer real food, thanks. And KFC??? Shoot me now.
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26. Posted by soccerluvnmama on Tue, Nov 20, 2007, 3:02 pm PST

Don't you mean 'Sarah Lee' instead of 'Sandra Lee'??
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27. Posted by mel on Tue, Nov 20, 2007, 3:04 pm PST

Thanksgiving.............can't wait!
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28. Posted by Frances H on Tue, Nov 20, 2007, 3:11 pm PST

Hmm, interesting. Spending time together and cooking are mutually exclusive? Having a job and raising kids means you have to buy and eat crap? I was raised in a single parent family, my mother worked full time (so did my sister and I in addition to going to school when we were kids), and guess what we ate REAL FOOD at meals. We all pitched in and cooked, No it wasn't gourmet but it didn't come out of a box or a fast food joint. Cooking non-ultraprocessed food (or god forbid serving KFC) doesn't mean you have to spend hours and hours and do all sorts of fancy stuff. It's pretty sad when what passes for food is such junk.
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29. Posted by michmadre on Tue, Nov 20, 2007, 3:12 pm PST

Store bought gravy should be against the law on Thanksgiving.
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30. Posted by lindakreimer@sbcglobal.net on Tue, Nov 20, 2007, 3:13 pm PST

I think your idea for saving time is actually a great way to say I LOVE YOU to your wife. Thanks for cooking for the women in your life.
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