How to Plan aTraditional Thanksgiving Dinner Menu

With Thanksgiving just a few days away, some people start feeling stressed about what their holiday menu will look like.  After all, your dinner guests will have a variety of tastes and favorites.  Your guest list could include a vegetarian, a diabetic or a plain old picky eater.

Here's a little help, though, for anyone who's wanting their guests to feast on the traditional Thanksgiving fare.

• The Bird - No Thanksgiving meal is complete without the star of the holiday table - Mr. Tom himself.  Turkeys come fresh, frozen and thawed.  Whichever one you choose will work out fine in the end.  If you're fixing a table for two, consider purchasing Cornish Game Hens instead of the big bird.

• Eat Your Veggies - Fresh, baked, mashed or steamed, well seasoned and thoughtfully prepared veggies are always a hit.  You can always go with the classic Green Bean Casserole, prepare an eye-popping fresh veggie platter or go with the lighter steamed fresh carrots, broccoli or other favorites.  There are also tons of salad favorites.

• Stuffing or Dressing - Ever wonder what the difference is between stuffing and dressing?  Stuffing is what's placed inside the turkey cavity and dressing is simply baked in a casserole dish.  Stuffing and dressing can be made with breads or cornbread.  Using a vegetable, chicken or turkey broth instead of water will add a richer flavor to your dressing.

•  Cranberry Sauce - Omitting cranberry sauce from your menu is like forgetting to bake a pumpkin pie!  You can, of course, purchase a can of the burgundy stuff or you purchase fresh cranberries and flavor it with orange peel or other flavors.  Cranberry sauce and turkey - what a great combination!

• Let the Eat Pie! - Traditionally pumpkin pie is the star dessert.  In place of pumpkin, many bakers choose to make sweet potato pie instead.  Add a little fresh whipped cream and it will definitely make the last bite one of the best bites.

Whether you choose to make the traditional Thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings or  an intimate setting for two, the most important part of any Thanksgiving meal is the company.

Enjoy every minute of your Thanksgiving day with the people you love and you'll always have an abundance of things to be grateful for.

Happy Thanksgiving!