by Andrea Hayes

Created on: November 06, 2009

When we think of Thanksgiving, what is the first thing that comes to mind? If you said family, then you're not being honest. Everyone knows that the best part of Thanksgiving is the food. The steaming, hot turkey that is tender and juicy, the mouth-watering casseroles, the homemade mashed potatoes, and everyone's favorite, the scrumptious pumpkin pie, sitting under a bed of whipped cream, that we always eat way too much of. Coming from a large family, I have been to many Thanksgiving celebrations. When it comes to menu-making, I have mastered the art.

The most important thing on a Thanksgiving menu is the turkey. Let's face it, it's not Thanksgiving without it. If you're part of my family, then you're always fighting over who gets the white meat.

The next most important food is the casseroles. You got to get your vegetables in somehow! We go all out. Green bean casserole, hash brown casserole, and corn casserole. It's kind of a mid-west thing. Whichever one you choose, and I don't know how you could choose just one, be sure to double it! Everyone will go crazy over these tasty sides that only come around a couple of times a year.

If you decide to not do hash brown casserole, try to stick with some homemade mashed potatoes. Yes, homemade! Ditch the boxed stuff and get out that potato peeler. It's time consuming, but everyone will thank you! And to add a little extra something to those potatoes, be sure to save the turkey drippings for some fantastic gravy. You can't go wrong with it.

We have the meat and the vegetables...what are we missing? The fruit! I recommend finding a recipe for orange-tapioca salad. It has an amazing texture, yet it's so light and fluffy. Careful when eating this. With it's combination of mandarin oranges, tapioca, orange Jello mix, and whipped cream, it can be quite addicting.

Now we are at the top of the food chart-time for the sweets! When it comes to Thanksgiving, the basics are the best. You can't go wrong with a pumpkin pie. They are so easy to make, and you can even play around with the amount of spices to add. Always stick to a homemade crust. Really, they aren't that scary or hard to make. I have had many store-bought crusts, and the homemade ones always win. Another favorite dessert tends to be the famous pecan pie. It's a little more expensive to make, but it's most likely going to be worth it.

So there you go! A wonderful Thanksgiving Day menu that is sure to be pleasing to all your guest. You'll leave with a stomach is way to full, but your spirits will be high after a menu like this one. Enjoy!

Learn more about this author, Andrea Hayes.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.