No-Fail Thanksgiving Menu Ideas

You've got the turkey, stuffing, gravy, sweet potatoes (or yams), corn, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie on your Thanksgiving menu, all must haves for the Thanksgiving dinner. While most families follow a traditional menu for Thanksgiving, there are some creative liberties that home cooks can make to add their special touch to the dinner. You probably don't want to change the family recipe on roasting the turkey - after all, it is the star attraction of the meal. But you can try some new ideas with the stuffing or side dishes. Below are some recipes to consider this Thanksgiving.

When preparing the Thanksgiving dinner, try to get as much done as possible a day or two beforehand so you won't be so overburdened Thanksgiving Day, and you'll have more time to spend with guests. For instance, you can prepare the side dishes a few days ahead and just reheat them on Thanksgiving Day. Other timesavers are using pre-cut vegetables or prepared side dishes.

Before you get started on the cooking, be sure you have these Thanksgiving dinner basics on hand: roasting pan; cooking thermometer; baster; serving platter big enough to hold the turkey; carving knife; carving board; sauce pan to make the gravy; gravy boat for serving at the table and serving bowls for the side dishes.

As your guests arrive, serve cocktails and put out dip and crackers or a relish tray for them to enjoy while you are putting the finishing touches on the Thanksgiving meal. For a helping hand, ask family members to begin putting potatoes and other side dishes in serving bowls while you tend to the turkey.

Here are some recipes that will complement any Thanksgiving menu. For wine suggestions, try a Riesling, Gewurztraminer, or Zinfandel.

Thanksgiving Cocktail
1 1/2 ounces FRIS Big Orange Cranberry Lime Infusion
1/4 ounce Cointreau
1 ounce pomegranate juice
1/2 ounce simple syrup
3/4 ounce lime juice, fresh
Garnish: 5 cranberries

Measure liquors and mixers into mixing glass. Fill glass with ice. Cap and shake for 5 seconds. Strain into martini glass and garnish.