Thanksgiving Weekend Dinner Ideas

[CC35]

My parents are coming into town for Thanksgiving and staying through Monday morning. I need some dinner ideas for Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. This would seem easy, except that my dad does not eat pork, beef or shellfish. Since we'll already be having turkey on Thursday (and eating leftovers for lunches), serving chicken for dinner seems like overkill and I don't think everyone would want to eat fish three nights in a row. Any ideas?

[CC35]

Thanks for all of the suggestions! I was tempted to just cook him a chicken breast for each meal out of spite :)

[mcel215]

You could make Ina Garten's chicken pot pie with biscuits

Or Giada's Chicken Tettrazini, using Turkey instead

Or I have a Easy, Creamy, Curried Chicken. I always serve it with Ina's Herbed Rice. The reicpe for this dish is on my blog. There are few excellent chicken dishes on it too. Chicken with Fennel over Creamy polenta, Chicken Lombardy and Vinegar Glossed Chicken. Good luck.

http://saffron215.blogspot.com/2011/0...

[katecm]

Don't forget that chicken doesn't always have to be boring if you play with different cuts, ground chicken, etc.

For some reason, I always see homemade pizza as the antidote to Thanksgiving dinner. You could put out different toppings, including pepperoni or sausage (don't forget turkey sausage), and let people choose their own.

[Emme]

Polenta with a Mushroom Ragu or Ratatouille
Chicken Teriyaki with Fried Rice, maybe some spring rolls or dumplings
Salmon or Tuna Croquettes with Dill Whipped Cauliflower
Risotto
Turkey/Chicken Black Bean and Sweet Potato Burritos
Schwarma, Hummus, Pita, Baba Ghanoush, Dolmas, Tzatziki, etc
Stuffed Portabello Mushroom Caps

...hope something in there strikes a cord... good luck!

[perk]

Omlettes or frittatas might be good....with a nice salad.

[ChiliDude]

I second the motion about le frittate (plural in Italian). All kinds of leftovers can be included. I make a frittata in an old-fashioned 10.5" cast iron skillet. First the frittata is started on the cooktop (unfortunately ours is ceramic) until the bottom starts to set, then the skillet is moved to the broiler to be finished. Grated cheese is added the skillet is removed from the oven after the frittata has browned and the broiler is turned off. Then the frittata is placed in the warm oven just to melt the cheese.

Be creative.

Vivi, ama, ridi e mangia bene (Live, love, laugh and eat well).

Buon ringraziamento (Happy Thanksgiving),

ChiliDude

[biondanonima]

Breakfast for dinner one night might be fun - you could do a meatless quiche or frittata, with bacon and/or sausage on the side for those who like it. The vegetarian soup or pasta ideas are excellent too. Does he eat lamb? Lamb stew might be a nice change of pace.

[berkleybabe]

How about a really good soup one night...French onion, vegetable with a great salad and bread. A bit lighter, you can make ahead and heat whenever you want to eat so no real prep time.

Otherwise, I say, Saturday, order a pizza... you've done all the work, now kick back.

[ChiliDude]

I second the motion, but make it vegetarian. Then your father cannot complain about any meat.

As a devout carnivore, I can't believe I suggested that!

[monavano]

I'd do Italian with a pasta dish. I recently made a roasted butternut squash lasagna that was so good and seasonal.
You could do stuffed shells, baked ziti with turkey or chicken sausage.
You could also do a mushroom bourginon over egg noodles.
Veggie or turkey chili. I think that using turkey again in a sausage preparation isn't overkill since it's so different.

[escondido123]

I find Italian and Mexican recipes to be a good antidote to T'Day. All sorts of pasta dishes comes to mind. Penne with rabe and garlic, pecorino on top. Mushroom risotto made with homemade chicken stock. Eggplant grilled or fried topped with tomato sauce and fresh mozarella and served with spaghetti done with olive oil and garlic. Polenta topped with a chunky tomato sauce, bitter greens on the side. Cheese enchiladas in green or red sauce.