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Last-Minute Thanksgiving

By:   Mackenzie Schieck

Hadn't planned on hosting this year? Don't let that stop you!

Here are some great ideas for putting together a fantastic meal the day before that will show no signs of having planned it on-the-fly.




There's Still Time to Cook

Yes, it's Thanksgiving--the biggest meal of the year, but it's still just one meal--no problem! Stick to the main dishes when it comes to the cooking 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: Luckily, 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 would definitely be 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!


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:


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    Comments
    Alicia_R 
    Nov. 27, 2009 10:17 pm
    Do you always find yourself dashing around to prepare a spectacular Thanksgiving feast? I guess yes. During this day, we always try to make it a point to have the requisite Thanksgiving tools – you need a bird (duh) and stuffing, and if the in laws are showing up, antacids. Thanksgiving brings with it football, and also the day after – when everybody goes shopping, and there is a lot of money going to be spent this year. It's also easier to know just how much food to buy and therefore prepare if you have all your guests RSVP ahead of time. (However, it never works out that way.) If you clip some Thanksgiving coupons, you could put on a royal spread without online cash loans or credit cards.
     
     
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