I Get to Make the GRAVY!!!

My suggestion would be to introduce the item you want to make at a regular dinner. If it is to die for (for example if you are good at making homade crescents) then they will be more accepting if you offer to make it for holiday dinner or may even request it. BTW what it that other food item? As far as how traditions work, I know how you feel; I lived with my inlaws for five years. I love to cook and they found this out quickley as they got to sample my food; soon my recipes were being requested specifically for birthdays and holiday meals.

Oh goodness, make both! Tell them it's a tradition you would like to share- it's a bowl of holiday love just for them!
Isn't holiday food fantastic? Can't wait!

I come from a pretty large, extended family and part of the fun is that when we all get together, we all participate or bring a dish to contribute. One grandma always makes her special casserole...she'd been making it for years. My mom makes ambrosia in rememberance of my grandfather who isn't with us to make it anymore. Just talk to your in laws and tell them how happy you are to be able to make the gravy and tell them there is one other special thing you'd like to prepare as it was always so special for you. I seriously doubt they'd say no and most likely would be thrilled that you want to integrate some of your own flavor to their traditions. Food is a wonderful way of sharing during the holidays. Most families I know feel the more the better.

Look forward to having a wonderful time learning their traditions, sharing some of yours, and even making new ones.

Best wishes!

I would just make the gravy, and ask them if you can bring your one special something for the dinner because it reminds you so much of home - surely they would not object to that? Unless it is turkey and they are all vegetarians?

If you get along with them, simply tell them that the green beans and bacon dish is something that was present at all of your holiday gatherings growing up, and you'd like to include them in the tradition. I can't imagine that they would tell you that you aren't able to bring something like that. I know in my family we welcome any and all dishes. I'm sure they won't be offended.

make both, and just say i can't celebrate a holiday without this dish. i hope you enjoy it :)

Very easy, just ask her if you can make it.

Have a great Thanksgiving and a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones.

= )

Just let them know that you would like to share something with them all that was a tradition in your family growing up...nobody has to eat it if they don't want to, but in my experience, another dish is ALWAYS welcome during the holidays, especially if it is a way to bring two families' traditions together.

I've even gone so far as to make and bring my own cranberry sauce and pumpkin pies to go WITH the canned cranberry sauce my mother feels is necessary for her to be happy and the canned pumpkin she uses for her pies. Her traditional taste buds go back to a time when much food was canned and there is just something about the texture and flavor of those things that are what she craves, but I want them made from fresh ingredients. So we have both! And everyone generally eats both! Quite happily.

Since you live with MIL, you'll just have to adapt to her ways.

Ok I just read the other answers, if you were going to her house I would agree to just bring both. However, living at her house, it's different. It depends on your relationship. However, as polite and well meaning as you may be, there's a good chance that it will be viewed upon as stepping on toes. Also, it can be very busy in a kitchen on the holidays, many people do not want an extra person in the kitchen. They are set in their ways.

Being from another country, my in-laws had no clue when it came to the Thanksgiving day meal (no gravy, no stuffing, no mashed potatoes, no green beans, no squash, no corn). Although, she did master the art of cooking a good turkey. However, I learned my lesson when I requested mashed potatoes, to say they were horrible is being nice. After that I just ate what she made, and made my own meal at my house a few days later.

I dont think there will be an adverse reaction to you wanting to make a pan of green beans and bacon. Usually when ever guests come from out of town for thanksgiving they often bring one of their own sides....
I'm sure you can just tell your almost mil that you would love to add a side of the beans. It's great that you are making the gravy, I wonder if it's a test or if they truly don't know how to make it? If that gets to be your only job in the future that is awesome. Have you wowed them with bisucuits and gravy yet? I know many, many women that do not know how to make gravy and I just dont understand it. So I feel blessed that my mom and grandma's all made sure I knew how to... it truly comes in handy.

we have all our traditional stuff (and good for you for being good at gravy!) but i just can't imagine being offended if someone wanted to bring *their* special dish to one of our gatherings. bring it! if you're the only one who eats it, too bad for the rest of 'em.
but i'll bet they're delighted.
khairete
S.

its early enough...just tell them you want to make the gravy and the beans dish. THe more food the merrier right? I cant see anyone refusing to try a new dish for the holidays.

OH make it and don't let anyone touch the way you do it. Our family always had the green bean casserole and it was altered by my husband's family instead of letting me make it. They drowned it in mushroom soup and no one liked it because they didn't add the correct ingredients. It shouldn't have been so complicated but they decided to do it without me. So enjoy your own treat!

Just say you would like to make it. They don't have to eat it, but maybe some of them already like it for Thanksgiving. We do. :)

I have adopted most of my in-laws' Christmas foods and treats because we spend holidays with them, but I started bringing some of my favorite cookies, too, and now they ask for them. That is my "thing" to contribute. Enjoy the holidays!

Just let them know what you would like to bring so you can feel more at home. I don't really know of any host that would refuse.

Just make the food that feels like the holiday and bring it. If they do not like it they will not eat it, but I am guessing they will eat it if only to be polite. Holiday traditions are easily accepted by others if they do not cut into their traditions and are not weird.