With the close of Halloween comes one of the most timeless holiday traditions: Friendsgiving. At a time when it is important to show thanks not only to our families but also to our closest friends, Friendsgiving is a perfect way to do that. With a limited budget and lack of preparation space, it can be hard to replicate that perfect Thanksgiving dinner that has us drooling all November while we wait. However, all we can do is try so pull out the fall-themed napkins and plates and start the preparation for the big day.
Appetizers
Starting the meal off strong with some good appetizers is always important, but it can be a daunting task. To keep it simple, a veggie platter is always a must. You can find a cheap veggie platter at almost any grocery store, or if you’re feeling really ambitious, you can get your own veggies and prepare a simple platter. If that doesn’t seem like enough, much like the veggie platter, a charcuterie board can be assembled fairly easily with ingredients found at any store like Trader Joe’s or ACME.
Dinner
Onto the main course of the night, and what everyone is really there for, is the turkey. Now, if you have the time or money to prepare a turkey, there are many simple recipes you can follow online. However, for a cheaper and easier option, you can replace the turkey with a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken. This will make the main dish much easier to manage and still give the illusion of eating a turkey for Thanksgiving. A substitution for mashed potatoes and stuffing is obvious with the existence of instant mashed and stuffing, as all you need to prepare them are a stove, a pot, water, and butter. However, if you’re looking for something a little more authentic, there are recipes such as parmesan mashed potatoes and basic stuffing that would take nearly no time to prepare. Rounding out the perfect Friendsgiving dinner is mac and cheese. Pre-made containers of baked mac and cheese can be bought and heated up, or a simple mac and cheese recipe can be prepared. However, it won’t be complete without being baked with extra cheese on top.
Sides and Dessert
The side dishes can be a little forgettable, but it wouldn’t be a full meal without them. To keep it simple and within budget, the best way to go about this would be to buy canned cranberry sauce, Pillsbury biscuit dough, and frozen green beans and corn.
Now, the night would not be over without the third course: dessert. You can go the classic route with this and just buy some premade apple or pumpkin pies, or you can take it an extra step and prepare a simple apple crisp. Another simple option for dessert would be apple cider donuts, and all of these options could be topped off with some ice cream.
So, pop open a bottle of your favorite sparkling apple cider, pull out your favorite games, and reflect on all that you are thankful for this season as you enjoy a thoughtful meal with your favorite people.
