Stress Free Thanksgiving
Make a list! It's three weeks out and you can start your Thanksgiving shopping and prep work now. Why wait for the day before, cook all night and be so worn out on the big day, that all you want is a glass a wine and the sofa?
Preparedness, as defined by Webster's Dictionary, is " a state of readiness, especially for war". Be honest, isn't preparing for a holiday our domestic version of getting ready for war? If something is forgotten or not prepared the same way, battles will begin.
Every family has that one person who isn't talking to another family member and must be separated by the mashed potatoes. Don't forget that person in our family, no matter what you do or how long you prepare, always has a negative comment on the meal.
That's when etiquette would tell us to smile and thank them for bringing that to your attention. Meanwhile, under your breath your mumbling, "I didn't want you to come in the first place!"
Let's start our list three weeks until Thanksgiving list:
1) Mrs. Smith has been putting pies together and freezing them for the consumer to just bake off when needed. Let's take a hint from this brilliant way of baking. Prep your pumpkin, apple or mincemeat pie now and put in a zip top bag in the freezer. This will allow you to put the pie in the oven and just bake it off the day before Thanksgiving. Make sure you label what kind of pie it is or you'll have "surprise pie". That's when you don't remember what the pie contains and are as surprised as your guests when you cut into them.
2) When shopping for Thanksgiving, sort the items and put them in the appropriate bag. Example, all the non-perishable ingredients to make stuffing/dressing should go in one bag. Sounds silly, but this simple trick will keep you from forgetting an ingredient and save time running to the store the day before. I put a tag on the bag that lists the perishable items I need to buy a few days before.
3) Purchase your cranberries and assorted nuts now and leave them in a cool place. The garage is perfect this time of year to store these items.
4) Address your linens: make sure they're washed and pressed. Having the linens ready to go is a great time saver. We use special plates for Thanksgiving and I take them out and re-wash them, making sure they're beautiful for the big day. I even set the dinning room table a few days before and put paper towels on each setting so dust doesn't settle.
5) Fill salt/pepper shakers: special turkey-shaped salt/peppers shakers garnish our table for Thanksgiving and I have them ready to go ahead of time.
6) Work on your menu making sure that everyone feels welcome and has a meal to remember. We have guests that are gluten free (like my daughter) and guests that don't eat turkey. I always make sure that I have gluten free and vegan items on the table. I've been known to fill up on the homemade cranberry chutney and stuffing and not eat the turkey.
7) Purchase turkey legs and make homemade stock now. To make stock, cover the turkey legs with water and add, celery (stalk cut in half), half an onion, 1 carrot (cut in half), fresh ground pepper and poultry seasonings. Let it cook low and slow for about one hour or under the turkey leg is tender. Allow it to cool and put in small containers in the freezer. You can pull this out and make gravy for Thanksgiving along with your pan drippings.
The next few blogs will be what I call H.E.M.S. - Holiday Entertaining Made Simple! Food should compliment the time we spend with our family and friends. We'll have no stress this holiday season and we'll get thru it together.
Do you have turkey questions? Need suggestions for a side dish? Looking for gluten free options for a dessert? Leave feedback/questions and we'll make 2018 Holiday Season one to remember.
Bring on the holidays! WE GOT THIS!!
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