This Thanksgiving I want to make the feast with traditional foods...10 extra points.?

Joanne A has good advice, as always.

I do serve mashed white potatoes, even though the turkey is white(ish) and some other things are white/light colored. I make my potatoes ahead of time, and then microwave them just prior to serving.

Get some of those Yukon Gold Potatoes, or Red Thin Skinned Potatoes, but stay away from those thick-skinned russets. They're fine for baking, but I never mash them. The number of potatoes will depend on the number of guests. A 5-pound bag makes a boatload of mashed potatoes, but I hate to run out, so I usually do the whole bag. Wash the spuds well, and pat dry. Skin the potatoes, but not too thoroughly. Today's mashed potatoes have some skin left in them for fiber and flavor.

In a large pot that allows the potatoes to be covered with water, boil the skinned potatoes until they are tender, with a knife or fork sliding easily into the center of the spud. Whole potatoes take a long time (40 minutes of boiling?). You can reduce the cooking time by cutting the potatoes, at least in half, but don't cut them too small, as they will overcook.

Drain the potatoes carefully. Many a young cook gets a steam burn from dumping that much boiling water into the sink! Here is where cooks may differ. I use an electric beater to mash my spuds. Some use a ricer, which is like a giant garlic press, some use a wire loop-type masher, and still others use forks, cans, and other implements of destruction.

Mash the potatoes. For my make-ahead potatoes, I add, as I'm mashing (for 4-5 lbs of whole potatoes) 1 cup regular or light sour cream (never fat-free) , and 4 oz (one half package) light cream cheese. Mash until potatoes are smooth and creamy.

Place mashed potatoes into microwave safe serving bowl. Microwave on Medium heat for 8-12 minutes, depending on how cold they are from the refrigerator.

mmmmmmmmm

corn

gravey

creamy mash potatoes use a mixer and use alot of butter and milk salt and peper

my aunt always uses cream cheese

anways

cranberry sauce oh i love it

stuffing

sweet potatoes (i dont like them though)

may i give a suggestion about how to cook the turkey?

it'll be the best turkey u'll have have im serious

ok

wash the turkey

dry the turkey u dont really have to but it's nice to do that

butter it good

season is well

put the turkey in the pan upside down

get a few cans of chicken brooth and pour it in

cover the turkey with foil

DO NOT PUT THE TURKEY IN A BAG!

put the turkey in the oven on 400

im serious!

it should take like 4 hrs to cook

but u can keep checking up on it

at the 2 hr mark check it

at the 3 hr mark check it

do this til it is done

i am serious

the skin will be hard but the meat will be juicey

and falling off the bone

oh damn good

Have at lease one person stand in the kitchen to help if you need it. Two are even better!

1. You can now buy a frozen turkey already stuffed, BUT you MUST cook it frozen. Do not defrost this turkey. Read the instructions.

2. Most cooks no longer stuff their turkeys with dressing. There is not enough dressing to go around. They quarter onion and/or oranges to stuff inside the turkey so that it will look pretty.

I LOVE the boxed dressing/stuffing that you buy at the grocery store, and it makes lots of helpings. Follow directions, I'm thinking all you do is add butter and water. Ready in about 5 minutes.

3. Gravy that comes in jars are now delicious. This is the only type my husband and I use for any type of dinner.

4. I only use canned sweet potatoes, much quicker and you can do them the night before. Use a pretty casserole serving bowl that can go into the oven too. I mash them, add a little butter, warm in the microwave. If you wish, you can put marshmallows on top of the warmed sweet potatoes, pop into a hot oven...around 400...for a minute or two to brown the marshmallows. Do not leave the oven as the marshmallows will brown quickly and you do not want to burn them. If they do burn, just scrape them off. No problem.

5. I do not serve white potatoes for Thanksgiving, but lots of cooks do. You can now buy bags of dried mashed potatoes that you add water, milk, butter to them. They are real potatoes, are ready in just a minute or two and are delicious. These have become very popular. I no longer buy any other for dinners we eat. Ask a clerk to help you find them on the shelves.

6. Canned cranberry sauce. Just put on a pretty plate or to and slice. Buy lots as everyone love cranberry sauce.

7. Canned black olives in a pretty bowl, or divided serving plate. Green olives too if you wish. Make sure all are from cans/jars of "pitted" olives.

8. I buy frozen pies from the grocery store and cook them a day or two before Thanksgiving. OR your grocery store's bake shop will have them ready made for you. Most people like pumpkin with whipped cream on top, apple pie, and pecan pie.

9. It's not necessary, but most people like green bean/French onion casserole. Go here for recipe and picture...the onions are in bags or in cans at your grocery store:

http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,198,1341%E2%80%A6

10. Don't forget the ice tea. You can now buy it ready made in gallon containers at your grocery store. My husband likes the sweet tea, and I like the non-sweet tea. Don't forget to put it in the fridge to get nice and cold. Delicious. I now drink tea instead of sodas.

11. I never serve snacks as no one will be hungry for your turkey dinner/luncheon.

But if you wish you can get your grocery store's deli make you Party Trays. You must order these in advance. They have a booklet for you to choose from.

12. Buy all these items before hand. Get as much as possible ready the day before. Covered dishes will keep things fresh for you.

13. If you have a large group, check out renting card tables. Just cover with a cloth and you have a table. OR rent a long table and cover with cloths. Don't forget the chairs.

HAVE A GREAT TIME...HAPPY THANKSGIVING.

Haha, I am 17, and I love to help create the Thanksgiving dinner :) Make a dessert (cookies, pies, brownies, cakes or cupcakes)! Perhapes make deviled eggs!

Ask your parents if you could completely take charge of ONE dish-- say the sweet potatoes. Research family recipes (grandma and aunts are good sources) and get their recipe or look online and find one that sounds good to you. (My family recipe uses canned sweet potatoes, condensed milk, nutmeg, cinnamon, butter,beaten eggs, molasses, brown sugar, and of course, marshmallows.)

You could have ham with the turkey. The indians and pilgrims did. You might also want to have fresh baked bead.