Thanksgiving dinner made easy

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Whether you enjoy the preparation, the anticipation or the eating itself, there are ways to bring all the joys of Turkey Day into your home.

So thaw out the bird and gather up your MSU family to put on your very own Thanksgiving feast with a few student- and wallet-friendly staples.

Turkey
Obviously, a Thanksgiving dinner centers on this, so putting a little extra effort into it might be worth the time. Make sure to check and double-check that you have all the ingredients before you start and this centerpiece should sail smoother than the Mayflower.

1. 12 lb. turkey

1. 3/4 cup olive oil

1. 2 tablespoons garlic powder

1. 2 teaspoons dried basil

1. 1 teaspoon ground sage

1. 1 teaspoon salt

1. 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1. 2 cups water

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. After cleaning the turkey, place it in a covered roasting pan.

Combine all other ingredients other than the water in a small bowl and brush on the outside of the turkey. Pour water in the bottom of the roasting pan.

Bake for three to three and a half hours. Remove from oven and let sit for 30 minutes. Carve and enjoy.

Source: allrecipes.com

Potatoes
While instant mashed potatoes are well and good, adding one more recipe straight from scratch makes everything a little bit better.

1. 2 1/2 lbs. Russet potatoes (cut into 1-inch blocks, it comes out to about 8 cups)

1. 1/4 cup milk

1. 1/4 cup butter or margarine

1. 3/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste

1. 1/4 teaspoon pepper

In a large pot, place potatoes and water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cover, simmering for 20 minutes. Make sure potatoes are tender. Drain pot. Mash the potatoes using any method. For smoothest results, a ricer or blender works well. Transfer to a larger bowl and add remaining ingredients. Beat until correct texture.

Source: about.com

Pumpkin cake
Let’s face it. Not all of us have the culinary skill required to make a pie, let alone one people would want to eat.

So, perhaps a cake would be more in order to keep the holiday spirit intact and the stress outside.

1. 1 package spice cake mix

1. 15 ounce canned pumpkin

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-by-13 inch square pan. Mix together the cake mix and the pumpkin until combined. Pour in pan.

Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until you insert a toothpick and it comes out clean. Allow to cool and serve. Add ice cream for added deliciousness.

Source: allrecipes.com

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