Golden brown turkey, buttery mashed potatoes, tangy cranberry sauce and sweet apple and pumpkin pie: the most joyous, belly-aching meal of the year, Thanksgiving, is nearly a week away. But it seems that its sights and smells will dance in the mind provocatively, always out of reach. To survive those last eight days – or simply prepare a meal to make you the most popular person in your house or residence hall – why not create a mini-Turkey Day feast? Normally, such an extravaganza requires days of preparation, many hands and patience – which are luxuries most students don’t have, especially as the semester draws to a close.

But with the miracle of the microwave (take that, Squanto!) anyone short on time can whip up some holiday dinner table basics: stuffing, mashed potatoes and a pumpkin dessert. These versions of much-loved turkey sidekicks are not like Grandma’s, though. With a little creativity, a quick trip to a nearby grocery store and an hour, one can show those Pilgrims and American Indians how it’s done.

Add to shopping cart:

Almond-Cranberry Stuffing:6 stalks of celery3 tsp onion powder2 tsp parsley1 tbsp vegetable oil5 slices wheat bread cup dried cranberries cup roasted almonds tsp salt tsp pepper1 vegetable bouillon cube, or 1 cup vegetable broth

Mashed Potatoes:Instant mashed potato mixMilk or soymilkVegetable oilSalt (to taste)

Sweet Pumpkin Yogurt cup vanilla yogurt (or raspberry flavor) cup brown sugar can pumpkin3 tsp cinnamon

Proceed to check-out:Almond-Cranberry Stuffing1. Chop the six stalks of celery. Add to microwave-safe container.2. Add onion powder and oil to celery.3. Microwave in a small container for 4 minutes, or until brown.4. Meanwhile, cut bread slices into 1-inch cubes. Set aside into a medium bowl5. Add salt, pepper, parsley to celery mix. Stir.6. Add celery mix to bread, stir. 7. Place vegetable bouillon cube into small container, add 1 cup water. Microwave for 2 minutes until broth.8. Add vegetable broth to bread, stir. 9. Add cranberries, almonds and other spices to taste to bread mixture. Stir.10. Microwave for 1 minute. 11. Voila!

Mashed Potatoes: 1. Boil cup water and 1 tbsp oil (1 tbsp for each cup of water).2. Add salt.3. Add 2/3 cup milk or soymilk.4. Add 2/3 cup potato flakes.5. Mix together to desired consistency (add more milk, flakes or salt to taste, if necessary).6. Voila!

Sweet Pumpkin Yogurt1. Scoop out pumpkin from can, add to a small bowl.2. Add 2/3 carton of yogurt. Stir until smooth (a minute or so).3. Add cinnamon and brown sugar. Blend well. (We like ours really sweet … add more sugar and cinnamon to taste.)4. Voila!

Published on November 16, 2004 at 12:00 pm