What are you doing for Thanksgiving?

What are the must-have Thanksgiving dishes?

• We’ll be interstate with my family for Festivus, and so we thought we’d start a new tradition and hold Thanksgiving with my wife’s family as an almost-end-of-year get-together. (stuffing inside…) Minor hitch – Australians don’t celebrate Thanksgiving, and I’ve never been to a Thanksgiving, so I have no idea what to serve apart from turkey and pecan or pumpkin pie. What are the must-have Thanksgiving dishes? I’m especially after sides to accompany said bird. Do you really put marshmallows on mashed sweet potatoes then bake them? Is this a main or a dessert? Are there regional variations for traditional fare? Killer recipes appreciated.

• Answer:

  Typical Thanksgiving dishes:Turkey with dressing, giblet gravy, and cranberry sauceMashed (non-sweet) potatoesCandied sweet potatoes (yes, with marshmallows, for a side dish, not a dessert)Green beans (possibly in almondine or casserole form)Cornbread or rollsPecan piePumpkin pieIf you like green stuff and don't think the green beans are enough you might consider adding a salad or some mixed vegetables as well. After that point you have way too much food.