| Believe it or not, if you're the host, it's time to plan | | | | menu is planned so you're not tempted to change |
| your Thanksgiving Dinner! I'm a natural procrastinator, | | | | your mind. Plus, you can skip the crowds and make |
| so I've learned the hard way that planning ahead | | | | sure the store has all of your ingredients in stock. |
| really is the best way to keep the holidays | | | | There's nothing more frustrating than going from |
| stress-free. You'll even be able to spend time with | | | | store to store looking for one major ingredient the |
| your guests without worrying about the meal. And | | | | day before you're hosting dinner. |
| your guests will appreciate a host who is relaxed and | | | | Don't forget dessert. If you do your own baking, |
| enjoying the day with them. | | | | choose something that you can make at least two |
| Go ahead now and confirm who will be coming for | | | | days before serving. If baking isn't your thing, now is |
| dinner and if they are bringing a date. Knowing about | | | | the time to place your order at your favorite bakery. |
| how many people you are cooking for, you can still | | | | You will have a hard time ordering desserts from a |
| plan a little extra just in case and have plenty of | | | | popular bakery the same week as Thanksgiving, it's |
| food if you extend a last minute invitation. You might | | | | one of the busiest weeks of the year! |
| also ask your guests if they have any dietary | | | | The Saturday before Thanksgiving, do any house |
| restrictions so you can be prepared if somebody has | | | | cleaning that needs to be done, including washing the |
| an allergy or health condition. | | | | china, silverware and stemware you plan to use for |
| A few years ago, my husband suggested we order | | | | dinner. Go ahead and set the table, put out the |
| the turkey from a restaurant and then focus on the | | | | candles, vases and any other decorative items you |
| sides and dessert at home. The only thing I had to | | | | want to use. Review your menu, noting the cooking |
| do to the turkey was warm it up and it didn't take | | | | times and temperatures for all of your dishes and |
| up my oven all day! It worked so well, it is now part | | | | plan your oven space accordingly. |
| of my regular Thanksgiving Day plan. If you are | | | | Two days before Thanksgiving, make your desserts. |
| making the turkey yourself, consider asking a guest | | | | This is often the most time-consuming part of |
| to bring some sides or order dessert from your | | | | preparing for a big dinner, especially if you are making |
| favorite bakery. Anything to feel like it's not all on | | | | more than one or two desserts for your guests. By |
| your shoulders! | | | | making them ahead, you give yourself a little |
| Two weeks before Thanksgiving, you should finalize | | | | breathing room. |
| your menu. Choose one or two recipes that you love | | | | The day before, prep everything else so there are |
| and can make totally from scratch. These are the | | | | no surprises on Thanksgiving Day if you forgot an |
| ones you can brag about to your guests. The rest | | | | ingredient and the store is closed. If you plan this |
| can have a couple of ingredients that can come from | | | | step properly, you can complete this in less than two |
| a box or can. Nobody will know and now is not the | | | | hours. First, gather all of your ingredients on the |
| time to be Superwoman. Double check your pantry | | | | counter, start the cornbread for the stuffing, boil the |
| for basics like sugar, flour and chicken stock, you'll | | | | eggs and wash the vegetables. Next, peel and slice |
| need more than you think. Chances are there are | | | | the potatoes. For mashed potatoes, put them in the |
| some spices like Nutmeg and Allspice that you don't | | | | pan, cover with water and put them in the |
| use often, so make sure you have enough. If you | | | | refrigerator. For candied yams, spray your baking dish |
| are a traditionalist, you might be planning a menu that | | | | with non-stick spray, arrange the slices, add the |
| includes turkey, stuffing, candied yams, some variety | | | | other ingredients, cover and put in the fridge. Do the |
| of green bean casserole, homemade rolls, pumpkin | | | | same thing for your other side dishes, getting |
| pie, etc. Want more variety? Go ahead and mix it up! | | | | everything completely prepped. The cornbread should |
| If you bake your own dinner rolls, make them now | | | | now be ready to mix with the other ingredients for |
| right up to the point where you place them on the | | | | the stuffing, cover and put in the refrigerator. Use foil |
| baking sheet, then cover the whole pan with plastic | | | | to cover your dishes and write in sharpie on top with |
| wrap and put them in the freezer. You can pull them | | | | the cooking time and temperature. |
| out Thanksgiving morning and they will thaw and rise | | | | It's Thanksgiving Day! Your kitchen is clean and the |
| by dinnertime. Short on space? After they are | | | | table is set. You're a relaxed, stress-free host! All you |
| frozen, remove them from the pan, put them in a | | | | have to do now is put your dishes in the oven and |
| zip-lock bag and then back in the freezer. | | | | then enjoy spending the day with your guests! Happy |
| Don't wait for the weekend before Thanksgiving to | | | | Thanksgiving! |
| do your grocery shopping! Do it as soon as your | | | | |