You might decide to pass on the 22-lb turkey if it’s just two of you, but the upside is a lot more room to play with the menu. It’s much easier to please two people than a dozen, after all! And these recipes look very pleasing, indeed. Are you having a small Thanksgiving this year?
Admittedly, many of these recipes serve up to four people. But even a Thanksgiving dinner for two needs leftovers, right?
• Rolled Turkey Breast with Sausage Pecan Stuffing from Martha Stewart - The turkey breast by itself cooks much more quickly than the whole turkey, plus it stays moist and tender in a dish like this.
• Roasted Corn Pudding in Acorn Squash from 101 Cookbooks - One half for you, the other half for me.
• Kale and Ricotta Salata Salad from Kim Severson - We reviewed - and loved - this recipe a while back and have always thought its fresh flavors would make a nice balance to heavier holiday dishes.
• Fingerling Potatoes with Chives and Parsley from Orangette - Teeny fingerlings are perfect for a small-sized meal.
• Individual Croissant Bread Puddings with Dried Cherries, Bittersweet Chocolate, and Toasted Pecans from Epicurious - We might have to double this recipe so there’s some leftover for breakfast.
What dishes do you recommend for a smaller Thanksgiving?
Related: Take Two! Best Meals to Make with Leftovers
(Image: Martha Stewart)
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I always have Thanksgiving for one, and usually make the traditional dinner just the same. But I'm loving some of these suggestions. The corn pudding in acorn squash will be on the menu this year!
Well, I thought I knew what our menu would be ... but now that I've read the Corn Pudding Stuffed Acorn Squash recipe the game has changed. It's just the two of us, I'll roast a turkey breast after giving it a good massage with fresh herbs and olive oil. The above squash, roasted Brussels sprouts, chunky cranberry conserve, and some sort of dressing will accompany the turkey. Pumpkin pie made with molasses and spices makes my husband smile, so we'll have that too. The leftovers will be wonderful. Truly giving thanks!
I am cooking for 2 this year, but I will be roasting a whole bird for the leftovers... and it's because it'll be the first time I can try it myself all alone! Simple sides: stuffing, sweet potato fries, cranberry sauce, brussel sprouts. And, of course, a pie. I'm thankful for not traveling and having a nice romantic night with my husband.
I wish my husband liked turkey. I am craving turkey like crazy. I would love a gorgeous turkey breast roast, but it's really not the sort of thing that works for one person ;_;
Usually it is only my husband and I for Thanksgiving... except this year we've added 5 people. Quite the increase, no? I already had my dishes planned out, and now I'm making less than I was originally because the guests are bringing some dishes too!
We're having a two-person Thanksgiving, and I couldn't be more delighted! I'll miss the big family gathering, but I won't miss the three-hour drive.
And it's a great chance to indulge our our preferences! We're having:
- roasted butternut squash galette with caramelized onions and Parmesan
- pan-roasted brussels sprouts
- mashed potatoes
- creamed onions
- stuffing with onions and sage
- no cranberry sauce!
- pumpkin pie
- blueberry pie
- a tiny little apple pie (made from leftover turnover filling and frozen unbaked)
Aaaaaaand after some deliberation, I've decided to roast a small chicken or game hen, even though only I will eat it. My partner's a longtime vegetarian, and I usually prefer to eat vegetarian too. But it's Thanksgiving and I WANT GRAVY.
Doing a 2 person one too, and decided to do two things. Roast a 3lb breast chunk for leftover sandwiches, make a batch of what is purported to be the BEST stuffing ever (so says the S.O), and then make that thanksgiving in a cake that's floating around. Plus mini pies made in a cupcake pan. Because I can. Oh, and fresh bread, because I'm addicted to fresh bread these days!
Prelude in Z, I have made turkey breast just for me! Cook it for yourself, eat some leftovers and freeze some - make something extra for the husband that he likes and enjoy your turkey!
We are also two, and do our favorites every year--small turkey (lots of leftovers, and lots of turkey soup!), smashed potatoes. my grandmother's hungarian stuffing, chipotle cranberry sauce, spinach gratin, and two small-sized desserts--pumpkin bourbon pie for my husband, and pumpkin cake for me (I am not a pie person). I can't wait.
I'm doing Thanksgiving solo for the first time and just called my mom back east for her recipe for her awesome turkey & stuffing recipe. This will be my first time roasting turkey so I'm excited, and glad I'll have no witnesses, just in case :-)
I'll also be making rice with peas (arroz con gandules--I'm Puerto Rican and its a must come Thanksgiving) and maybe sweet potatoes. Also have been wanting to make an apple pie for weeks now so I'll probably do that too.
Since it's just me, it means tons of leftovers but I figure this is much better than feeling sorry for myself that I have no where else to go this year.
RedLynx, that sounds like a marvelous meal!
Several years ago when I was living far away from all my family, I declined all my friends' invitations to join them for Christmas. Instead, I stayed home and made myself a little feast: roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, roasted asparagus, and some other treats that have faded into memory.
What I haven't forgotten is how thoroughly I enjoyed that holiday on my own: so peaceful, no stress, and only myself to please. I hope your Thanksgiving is just as happy!
I'm doing Thanksgiving (and Christmas) for one this year so I'll definitely be looking at some individual puddings like the one above.
My boyfriend and I had Thanksgiving this past weekend because I'll be traveling on Thursday. We made a few recipes from the NYT's recent Thanksgiving list: roasted root vegetable galette; celeriac soup with chestnut puree; and green chile and apple pie with cheddar cheese crust. It took all day but the results were so satisfying!
Chipotle cranberry sauce? Tell me more.... <insert eyelash batting here> But, seriously, that sounds amazing!
The thing is, if it's just the two of you, you can have anything you want. You want a scaled-down traditional menu, fine. You don't? That's fine too.
Some years back, it was just me and my 12-year-old son. He preferred ham to turkey, so I made the cooked-in-cola kind ( i.e., http://www.nigella.com/recipes/view/ham-in-coca-cola-171 ), with plain white rice, sweet potato pie, cranberries, snow peas, and afterwards we had (if I recall right) popcorn, homemade chocolate chip cookies and ice cream, and watched television curled up with the dog. It was nice.