Here are some great ideas for putting together a fantastic meal the day before.
There's Still Time to Cook
It may be the biggest meal of the year, but Thanksgiving is still just one meal--no problem! Stick to a few standards and your meal will come together beautifully.
Turkey: You might not have time to defrost a whole turkey, but that doesn't mean you have to take it off the menu all together. There are many ways to prepare turkey that don't involve a whole bird:
Stuffing: Stuffings and dressings don’t necessarily need to be prepared inside a turkey. Bake your favorite stuffing in a casserole dish--covered for 30 minutes, then uncovered for about 10 minutes to brown the top. Voila!
Cranberry Sauce: There's always the option to buy it canned. But these recipes are so easy, it's worth it to make one from scratch:
Gravy: Here's a recipe that simply calls for turkey broth and a few other magical ingredients (chicken broth can be substituted)--easy peasy! And if you can make gravy ahead of time, you'll cut down on the chaos in the kitchen.
Mashed Potatoes: Try these recipes for some extra-special mashed spuds:
Store-Bought Short-Cuts
Don't overload yourself by trying to bake everything from scratch. Here are some things you can pick up at the store and no one will be the wiser:
- Pies: hit the local bakery or grocery store for some pumpkin, apple, or berry pies. Add homemade touches by serving with real whipped cream and a cup of freshly brewed coffee.
- Dinner rolls: whether they are frozen or fresh from a bakery, you can still get that "right from the oven" effect by wrapping them in foil and warming them at 350 degrees F for 10-15 minutes, while you’re baking the stuffing.
- Easy appetizers: put out some fresh veggies, chips, or crackers with a delicious dip:
Need help with the timing? Here's a handy checklist to keep you organized:
