Thanksgiving is coming, any ideas for a single person?

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Thanksgiving is coming, any ideas for a single person?

by playwrite27 @ 2008-11-04 – 02:57:01

I was going to make my mum's old pot roast recipe for Thanksgiving this year (a whole turkey--even a small one, being too much food for me, and turkey breast being too expensive, and I don't like turkey leggs or wings---I know, I'm fussy)

I am finding that beef chuck roast for pot roast is absurdly priced right now--more expensive than a 14 pound turkey!

So, the traditional turkey is out, pot roast is out, and I doubt I will be able to afford a thanksgiving buffet at a restaurant...and, I really don't want to go to the Presbyterian church's dinner---as fantastic and lovely that it is, because, quite honestly, eating around a table with a bunch of strangers--friendly as they are, REALLY makes me feel even more lonely, than if I just sat home alone with the cats and had a Swanson's TV Dinner

I have a tight food budget, and because it's a day off, and only me, I'd like something relatively simple to prepare--and also, I'm rather low on special kitchen gadgets and don't have a blender or food processor or anything like that, yet, I'd like to make something special.

Any ideas?

OH, IMPORTANT NOTE HERE:

Something I should mention is that this is a very special holiday for us Yanks...it's like your Christmas dinner, and, I should also emphasize that I'm NOT a vegetarian and I am looking for something involving meat, actually. Thanks!
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9 Comments to Thanksgiving is coming, any ideas for a single person?

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- deleted user (Visitor)
- http://menomamauk.blog.co.uk
- 2008-11-04 @ 03:01:53
Pasta! Make a simple tomato sauce or throw in some beaten eggs and cheese and voila! There's your dinner. Hugs
- - playwrite27
  - http://www.davidtennant.blog.co.uk
  - 2008-11-04 @ 13:17:16
  oooh, spaghetti bolonese, or eggplant parm, or chicken parm...there's an idea! I've not made chicken parm from scratch in ages!
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- SeasideMan ^Pro
- 2008-11-04 @ 09:18:26
Thick garlic and lentil soup and roast potatoes would be delicious, easy and cheap.

Tom.
- - playwrite27
  - http://www.davidtennant.blog.co.uk
  - 2008-11-04 @ 13:16:09
  Sounds nice.
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- Jenniebaby
- 2008-11-04 @ 12:25:13
You could pot roast something else if you wanted something more 'special' - the nice thing about post roasting is that you can use heaper cuts because you cook it for so long - can use whatever meat you fancy (or whatever you can get) too?
- - playwrite27
  - http://www.davidtennant.blog.co.uk
  - 2008-11-04 @ 13:14:33
  I thought about that--but even brisket--which I just had Sunday, is expensive--but I am going to look at other cuts of beef, just in case--only pot roasting doesn't generally work well with round cuts...mostly it is for flat cuts, like chuck roast or brisket. Round cuts you have to use too much liquid, and that makes it more like boiled beef.
  - - Jenniebaby
    - 2008-11-04 @ 21:38:48
    We casseroled some lamb neck fillet the other day - was delicious and cheap
    Other cheaper cuts like oxtails nice too for similar things...
    
    Let us knowwhat you end up doing - am sure it will be delicious
    - - playwrite27
      - http://www.davidtennant.blog.co.uk
      - 2008-11-05 @ 17:21:52
      I've made a veggie stew that uses lamb neck bones, that's quite good...have to watch out for the neck bones though, ha-ha.
      
      I've decided: someone suggested soemthing other than poultry or beef: fish.
      
      I don't normally buy fresh fish where I live, 'cos it's hugely expensive (we're over 200 miles from the nearest ocean)...but, it's Thanksgiving, so I thought I'd splurge on some brook or rainbow trout. One trout either fresh or smoked, would run me about 7 dollars...and I could buy some frozen petite peas and a box of rice pilaf or long grain and wild rice, to go with it. Simple, under $10, and still in keeping with the special holiday.
      - Cathrine (Visitor)
        
        2009-07-23 @ 14:59:00
        
        I know this was last year's Thanksgiving, but it's coming up again. When I was single and living alone, I kept doing the same things any family would do, just by myself. I cooked a whole turkey and all the trimmings that are usually served with the turkey. Christmas is no different I put up the tree the weekend after Thanksgiving and cook a big meal then too. I seperate and freeze/refrigerate all left overs.
        
        I've been married since then and now my husband is overseas during this year's 2009 Holiday season. However, I'm not really alone, I have a 4 month old baby. I will continue to celebrate every Holiday just as the average American does, but now I can include my baby with the festivities.
        
        I will purchase a small turkey, cranberry sauce, make sweet potato caserol, and a wild rice stuffing. If my husband would be here, I'd include corn on the cob and petite string beans. Instead I'll just make sure that MY favorite dishes are present for Thanksgiving dinner for one.
        
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