Use this menu for your upcoming feast, whether it be for the early birds arriving the weekend before, or for the day of Thanksgiving.

Use this menu for your upcoming feast, whether it be for the early birds arriving the weekend before, or for the day of Thanksgiving.

Your Menu: Serves 14 to 16

• Turkey with Old-Time Stuffing
• Steamed broccoli
• Mashed potatoes
• Gravy
• Dinner rolls
• Pumpkin Cheesecake with Caramel Swirl
• Ice water with lemon slices

Test Kitchen Tips:

For mashed potatoes for 14 to 16, start with 5-1/2 to 6 pounds of russet or Yukon gold potatoes. You'll need 1-3/4 to 2 teaspoons salt in the water with the potatoes. After mashing, add 1/2 cup softened butter and about 1-1/4 cups milk until light and fluffy. Season to taste with additional salt and ground black pepper.

For homemade gravy, pour the pan drippings from the turkey into a large measuring cup. Scrape the browned bits from the pan into the cup. Skim and reserve the fat from the drippings. Pour 1/2 cup fat into a large saucepan (discard remaining fat). Stir in 1/2 cup all-purpose flour. Add enough chicken broth to the drippings to equal 4 cups. Add broth mixture all at once to the flour mixture in saucepan. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir for 1 minute more. Season to taste with salt and ground black pepper.

Bake the rolls while the turkey stands after roasting.

Shopping List

For Turkey

• 1-1/2 pounds white bread
• 1 bunch celery
• 1 large onion
• 1 pound butter
• 1/2 pound bulk pork sausage
• 1 bunch parsley
• 1 package fresh sage (or 1 container dried)
• 1 package fresh thyme or 1 container dried)
• 1, 32-ounce container chicken broth
• 1 12- to 14-pound turkey
• 3 heads broccoli
• 5-1/2 to 6 pounds potatoes
• 1 quart milk
• 2 packages (12 each) brown-and-serve dinner rolls
• 2 lemons

For Cheesecake

• 1 package graham crackers or purchased graham cracker crumbs
• 1 package gingersnap cookies
• 1 package chopped walnuts
• 1 pound butter
• 3, 8-ounce packages cream cheese
• 1, 15-ounce can pumpkin
• 1, 5-ounce can evaporated milk
• 2 dozen eggs
• 1, 16-ounce carton dairy sour cream
• 1 jar caramel ice cream topping
• 1 bar milk or bittersweet chocolate (optional)

Pantry Items

For Turkey

• salt
• ground black pepper
• cooking oil

For Cheesecake

• granulated sugar
• ground ginger
• brown sugar
• cornstarch
• ground cinnamon
• vanilla
• ground nutmeg or allspice
• ground cloves (optional)

Equipment Needed

For Turkey

• measuring cups and spoons
• cutting board and knife
• kitchen scissors for snipping herb
• baking sheets
• large skillet
• wooden spoon
• very large bowl
• metal skewer
• 1/2-quart casserole with lid
• shallow roasting pan with rack
• pastry brush
• meat thermometer
• foil
• Dutch oven
• steamer basket
• large pot
• colander
• potato masher
• large glass measure
• 3-quart saucepan
• wooden spoon

For Cheesecake

• measuring cups and spoons
• food processor (or resealable plastic bag and rolling pin) for crumbs
• cutting board and knife
• medium bowl
• wooden spoon or rubber spatula
• 10-inch springform pan
• large mixing bowl
• electric mixer
• rubber spatula
• shallow baking pan
• small bowl
• wooden spoon or rubber spatula
• small spoon
• table knife
• wire cooling rack
• long sharp knife
• vegetable peeler for chocolate curls (optional)

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