Top 10 Ways to Entertain Family and Visiting Relatives

Patch goes looking for the best of the bunch.

It’s the day after Thanksgiving, and your house is bursting at the seams with visiting relatives.  You’ve got to get them out and get some fresh air, but where would you go? Good thing the Twin Cities have a ton of great places to enjoy with your family. Christmas in the 1970s exhibit Relive the holidays in the Disco Era with a visit to this new exhibit at the Fridley Historic Center. It  features a boy's bedroom (complete with Farrah Fawcett poster), a living room decked out for Christmas (with a faux-brick fireplace) and more. Free. Saturdays, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.; Tuesdays, 2–4 p.m., through Dec. 18.  The Bakken Museum For the kid who loves to touch everything, there’s Minneapolis’ Bakken Museum. Tucked away in a mansion on Lake Calhoun, the …

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Where Can You Pick Up Coffee and Last-Minute Supplies Today?

Many shops are closed on Thanksgiving Day...but not all.

Many Southwest Minneapolis stores, coffee shops, and restaurants are closed on Thanksgiving, but not all. Patch has compiled a list of shops where you can pick up a few last-minute supplies, or grab a cup of coffee and time away from the family. Looking for other local businesses that are open today? Click here. Grocery Stores  Coffee Shops and Cafes     Restaurants

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Share Fall Recipes on Patch

Thanksgiving is almost here, so share your best to-die-for recipe on Patch.

Thanksgiving is full of wonderful food. Pumpkin bread with chocolate chips. Butternut squash ravioli. Toasted cinnamon sugar almonds. Gooey apple pie. From sweet to savory, fall is full of delicious food. And, most of the time, it's the chilly air and Thanksgiving spirit that gets us in the mood to do our own cooking. With the big Turkey Day around the corner, everyone has the handful of go-to family recipes. But why not share one or two of your favorites and, in return, try something new? This week on Patch, we're asking for your help to create a virtual cookbook. Simply upload your recipe with a photo (if you have one) here. It's easy, just click "Add an Announcement." If you have never used Patch before, now's your chance to get started…

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Ask the Patch Pro: Making Thanksgiving Dinner

Let our Patch Pro answer your cooking questions.

The holidays are almost upon us! With Thanksgiving next week and then a month of parties and celebrations to follow, many of us are about to spend some serious time in the kitchen.  Whether you've made a turkey for the past 50 years or it's your first attempt at stuffing, there's always something that can turn a normal dish into an award-wining crowd pleaser.   So, go ahead and ask away. What would make your cooking better? Here to help with our Thanksgiving preparations is a "Patch Pro"— a local chef who has agreed to answer your questions about cooking in the comments section below. Meet our expert: • Executive Chef Kevin Petroske has been with Redstone American Grill for eight years, specializing in upscale American fare. He takes …

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Kevin Petroske

11:35 am on Thursday, November 15, 2012

Joanna, I would suggest after removing the giblets and washing the inside cavity lightly season with S&P and placing some rough chopped yellow onion, celery and carrot and trussing it tightly. Not necessary but it definitely adds to the flavor and aroma also add more depth to the pan dripping if you are making a sauce from them. The most important part is the time and temperature of the turkey. …   more ›

Patch Picks: 5 Vegetarian Options for Thanksgiving

Food ideas for people whose Turkey Day involves zero turkeys.

In six days all of us will be scrambling to the in-law's, the store for some last minute cranberry sauce or to the kitchen to check on the bird every five minutes. The best meal of the year, fit for kings and gluttons, is centered around meat. Not all of us, for varying reasons, choose to eat meat, though. What is one supposed to prepare for those who don't eat turkey on Turkey Day? The answer is easy, and the options are unlimited. Whether you're cooking for a vegetarian guest, or are a vegetarian yourself, Patch helps you out this week with five tasty recipes for a vegan/vegetarian Thanksgiving. 1. Tofurky: Funny sounding name, seriously tasty substitute. What you need: 1 Tofurky Roast (can be frozen), 1 can cranberry sauce (chunky or …

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Savoring Southwest

Last Minute Places to Pick up Thanksgiving Goodies

Haven't gotten all the components of your family's big meal yet? Not to worry—these neighborhood shops offer many last-minute options that will make tomorrow's dinner great.

Editor's note: Unfortunately, most grocery stores aren't open on Thanksgiving Day. But on Thanksgiving Eve, our writer found holiday treats at a couple longstanding Southwest institutions. It's right before the biggest eating holiday of the year and you've got to come up with an amazing meal for your family—what to do? If you live in Southwest Minneapolis, never fear, because several places still have turkeys, prepared foods and other delicious holiday entrée options. Brian Knopik of Finer Meats on Nicollet Ave. between 37th and 38th Streets told me this morning that they still had three fresh Snowland turkeys in stock, in addition to a selection of tasty house-smoked bacon, ham and other meats. "Call ahead to make sure we still have …

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