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Now last year was my first Thanksgiving dinner cooked almost solo.
I was really paranoid about how it would all turn out, so I ended up doing a lot of research.
A couple things I did really saved time and sanity.
I got to thinking that if we all share our little tips and tricks we could really make the day a little easier for our fellow turkey trussers.
Anyhow, last year I:
****Made the mashed potatoes in the morning and kept warm in the crock pot. Everyone thought they were awesome mashed potatoes, and I didn't have to mash them right before dinner like Mom always did.
****I also heated up the frozen corn, (shucked fresh in the summer and frozen for the day) in the morning, and kept that warm in another crock pot.
****I cooked one of those freebie turkeys the day before, and sliced up the breast meat in case I needed extra for dinner (didn't know how much turkey I would need and wanted to be covered just in case--plus I got a practice turkey in before the day)
****With that freebie turkey, I made the gravy, so I was able to just reheat that on the day as well so no need to mess with that either.
I used one of those three tiered racks to put all the casserole dishes that needed reheating on until it was time for them to go in the oven.
****I also cooked with my cousin a couple days before. It was 1st Thanksgiving for both of us. While this is neither tip nor trick, we did have a lovely time and will continue this tradition this year.
So, what Tips and Tricks do all you Thanksgiving experts have? I figure though my 1st went well there is always room for improvement
For roast veggies, I par-boil potatoes and parsnips, drain, add some butter and seasoned flour to coat and then put in ziplock bags in the fridge. They'll keep like that for 3-4 days, then just need 30 mins roasting.
Lots of other veg can be trimmed, washed, blanched etc and zip-locked in advance.
I also do a lot the day before...dice onions and celery, have it all in a fry apn with the butter, readt to saute in the morning for the stuffing...
I make a broth with the turkey neck, wing tips and celery, onion and fresh parsley...all in the crock pot overnight and add this to the roasting pan to make my gravy.....YUM! The best gravy ever.
I cut all vegetables the day before and have them in their pots ready to cook.
We make stuffing muffins...a big hit since everyone seams to like the crunchy part!
Check holiday table linens about 2 weeks before big day to make sure they are presentable. Also wash all utensils and holiday dishes which haven't been used in a while and may be dusty.
I love to cook and cook a lot. I be sure to put on some good music, ask for dh's help when I need it and fit in a 30 minute nap somewhere and all of this keeps the stress down. I remember when I was little my mother would get so overwhelmed with holiday dinners and get so cranky to the point it kind of ruined things. I made a promise to myself I wouldn't do that to my kids and family. I make most of the food now. She just has to do stuffing and the turkey. I do a ton of other sides and the desserts.
Lists, lists & lists, hanging on the fridge right now.
This week I will make the mannicotti shells and freeze them between plastic wrap and put in zip lock freezer bags to be stuffed with the Ricotta the day before. The spaghetti sauce & meatballs were made this past weekend and is in the freezer.
Weekend before, dice carrots, celery, onions & garlic and put in food saver bags.
Wash & iron table linens.
Beginning of the week, pick up fresh vegetables, clean and prep them, dry & put in green bags in crisper.
Day before, wash china & set table, (covering the dishes with another table cloth). Pick up the Italian bread & natural turkey. Make the brine, clean turkey & put in the brine covered in fridge for 12 hrs. Make homemade cranberry sauce. Take shells off the shrimp (shrimp cocktail) & make cocktail sauce. Stuff the mannicotti and start the prep for the antipasto. Thanksgiving day h helps me by riceing the potatoes while I make the tortelli soup in a crockpot.
Everything goes smoothly because of the preparation.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Before we got our turkey fryer we cooked our turkey in those turkey bags. Wonderful things those turkey bags. Never had a ruined turkey.
I make all my breads and pies the day before. Never thought to keep the potatos in the crock pot. What a wonderful suggestion thanks.
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