Essential Parts of Thanksgiving Dinner

Starters: This could be just about anything small you put out for your guests to nibble on while put the finishing touches on your main course dishes such as, a relish tray pickles and olives and or deviled eggs.  Cheese platter with some nice sausage sliced.  Roasted or candied nuts dried fruits what have you.

Main course:  Broken down to its parts

Protein: There will be a Turkey (Unless you are a vegetarian) If you are lucky enough to live in a region that feels it necessary to have something besides a turkey you might have a ham or prime rib as well.

Starch: Sweet potatoes of some kind (I will address the Yam conspiracy later), mashed potatoes with gravy.

Veg: Green Bean Casserole.  I cannot think of a single additional vegetable that belongs here.

Cranberry: There will be some sort of cranberry concoction here.

Sides: Jello salad, mac’n cheese, rolls, bread etc…If you feel the need to express your culinary abilities this is the appropriate place.

Dessert: Pumpkin Pie, Sweet Potato Pie, Pecan Pie etc…

Beverages: Beer, Wine, Spiced warm Cranberry or Apple Juice, Eggnog other

After you have picked your dishes you will need to need to develop a time line so your dishes are finished at the proper time.