How To Cook Thanksgiving Dinner

Learn how to cook Thanksgiving dinner in a few basic steps. Thanksgiving dinner should be very delicious, but not super difficult. For the Thanksgiving dinner  dessert you can purchase one at a bakery or make one fresh. The freezer section of the grocer also has tons of desserts which can be baked for Thanksgiving dinner. 

Step One: Bake a Turkey

Ingredients:

• 12 pound turkey
• 1 stick of butter
• Salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Make sure the turkey is completely defrosted. Wash the turkey inside and out and remove the giblets and neck from the cavity of the turkey.
2. Take half of the stick of butter and melt on the stove. With your hands, rub the entire turkey with the melted butter including the cavity.
3. Season the entire turkey and place on an aluminum baking pan. Secure the legs with the band of skin at the bottom and tuck the wings underneath the bird.
4. Take the rest of the butter and put in the cavity of the bird. Place a half cup of water in the bottom of the pan.
5. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees and cook the turkey for approximately three hours. Check the turkey periodically and baste the bird with the juices.
6. Cover the turkey if it browns too quickly.  Let the turkey sit for approximately twenty minutes before carving. A Thanksgiving turkey for your guest is only the first step.

Step Two:  Make the Dressing

Ingredients:

• 2 large onions, peeled and chopped
• 4 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 cup apples diced,
• 1/3 cup shallots minced
• 1 Tablespoon butter
• 2 cups chicken stock, homemade best
• 2 teaspoon roasted garlic (roast several garlic cloves 375 degree oven for 15 minutes)
• 1/2 teaspoon thyme
• 1 Tablespoon chives
• 1 Tablespoon basil
• 4-1/2 cups diced white bread croutons, toasted
• 1/2 cup chopped walnut
• Salt and Pepper

Directions:

1.  In a large skillet melt the butter and add in the onions, apples and shallots. Add in the stock and cook on medium heat.
2. Cook the stock until it is reduced half way.  Add in the rest of the ingredients except the croutons. Grease a baking dish.
3. In a huge bowl mix the home made croutons and the apple mixture.  Pour the mixture into the baking dish and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven.
4. Bake the dressing until the top of the croutons are very crispy. This dressing is wonderful along side the Thanksgiving turkey. Add a few slices of cranberry sauce from a can to make your Thanksgiving dinner perfect.

Step Three: Make the Mashed Potatoes With Parmesan Cheese

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds potatoes peeled and cubed
• 1 stick butter
• 1 cup milk
• 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• Salt and Pepper

Directions:

1. Boil the potatoes until done and soft. Drain the potatoes.
2. Add in the butter, salt and pepper and mash with a mixer on low speed. Add in the milk gradually, testing to see how much is necessary.
3. Add in all the cheese and mix again to make the potatoes fluffy. Serve mashed potatoes with some gravy from the turkey drippings.

Step Four: Make the Veggie - French Style Green Beans and Onion Rings

Ingredients:

• 2 cans French style green beans
• 1 package onion rings
• Salt and Pepper

Directions:

1. Fry the onion rings in some very hot oil. When they are very crispy, drain on some paper towels.
2. Place the canned green beans in a medium size pan and bring to boil. Add in the seasoning.
3. Remove the green beans from the pan and put in a serving bowl. Layer the onion rings on top of the green beans.
4. Thanksgiving dinner would not be complete without a vegetable. The onion rings can be served separately.

Step Five: Make the Beverage - Ice Tea

Ingredients:

• 2 Tea bags
• 2 cups boiling water
• 1 cup sugar

Directions:

1. Bring to boil two cups of water. Remove from the heat and place two tea bags in the boiling water.
2. Let the tea steep for ten minutes. Remove the tea bags and add to a half gallon pitcher.
3. Add in the sugar and enough additional water to fill the pitcher. Mix Well to dissolve the sugar.
4. Serve over ice for Thanksgiving dinner. Garnish with slices of lemon.