This week we’re going to talk about cooking the big turkey dinner. If it’s your first time doing it, you might be a bit nervous. If you’ve done it before, but you end up tired, grumpy, and frazzled by the time dinner is ready, read on. I’m going to give you a planning guide to help you cook Thanksgiving Dinner and still enjoy your day.
Planning is the key. That’s what Dinner Magic is all about; planning your meals. Since any holiday dinner is a big undertaking, you also need to create a game plan for preparation. Your game plan will let you do a little bit at a time, over the whole week, so that by the big day, most of the preparations will be done. You will love being able to sit down and visit with family and friends, play games with the kids, or watch a football game.
First things first.
Plan your menu now. Here is a simple, traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Menu. You can add the dishes that are your family favorites.
Perfect Every Time Roast Turkey in Foil
Cornbread Stuffing (Look for my recipe on Thursday, 11/19/2009).
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Baked Yams
Green Beans with Slivered Almonds
Fall Salad
Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Fresh Homemade Bread
Pumpkin Pie
Pecan Pie
That’s quite simple, isn’t it? If you have a favorite dish that you want to include, plan to buy the ingredients and make it, or better yet, have a family member make it and bring it. I didn’t include appetizers. We usually have crackers and cheese, salami, and olives. You can get fancier if you like, or have someone else bring the appetizer. People want to help and contribute, so let them. Don’t feel like you have to do it all yourself.
Click here for the Thanksgiving Day Shopping List.
Here is my recipe for Perfect Every Time Roast Turkey in Foil.
You can make my Homemade Cranberry Sauce in ten minutes.
If you want to have a totally homemade pumpkin pie, learn how to Cook a Pumpkin.
Step Two:
Start getting ready for the dinner on the Monday before Thanksgiving. Each day, you will be doing small things to prepare. It will only take you a few minutes each day. Don’t try to get too fancy. Keep it simple. Dinner will be nice and you will be much nicer.
Monday
If you are using a frozen turkey, put it in the refrigerator to defrost. Be sure you put it on a platter to catch any moisture.
Check to see if your table linens are clean. If not, wash and dry them.
Check to see if your table ware is clean. Now is the time to run them through the dishwasher, give the silver a little polish, and shine the glasses. Have someone help you, or put on a good movie and do it in front of the television. Do you have a bowl or serving dish for each of the dinner items? If not, call a friend and borrow some.
Tuesday
Make the Homemade Cranberry Sauce.
If you are cooking your own pumpkin, make it today. Save it in the refrigerator.
If you are making your own pie crust, make them and freeze them. I love homemade crusts, but on Thanksgiving, I use the frozen rolled pie crusts. They turn out very nicely.
Wednesday
Set the table. If you have cats that might get on the table, cover it with a sheet.
Make the pies. I use the recipes on the pumpkin can and Karo corn syrup jar. Keep it simple!
Bake the cornbread for the stuffing. Cut it into small squares and put in a zipper top bag.
Run the vacuum around the house, do a quick dusting, and freshen up the bathrooms.
Thursday
It’s T-Day!
If you use my Perfect Every Time Roast Turkey in Foil recipe, you’ll only need to start the turkey about 5 hours ahead of time.
In the morning:
Put the turkey in the oven.
Put the bread ingredients in the bread machine. Set it to delay bake for when the turkey will be ready.
Put the canned yams in a baking dish. Sprinkle brown sugar and marshmallows on top. Cover with foil and set aside.
Put the green beans in a microwave safe bowl. Put a pat of butter on top. Cover with foil and set aside.
Make the salad and put in the refrigerator.
Cut up the onions and celery for the stuffing.
Set up the coffee pot for after dinner coffee.
Fill a sink with soapy water to wash utensils and dishes as you work.
90 minutes before turkey time:
Prepare the potatoes. (Washing, peeling, chopping.) Put the potatoes in salted water.
Cook the vegetables for the stuffing in butter and herbs. Add the cornbread and broth. Place in a covered baking dish and keep warm.
Wash the pan and cooking utensils.
60 minutes before turkey time:
Start cooking the mashed potatoes.
35 minutes before turkey time:
Mash the potatoes. Place in a covered dish in the oven until serving time.
25 minutes before turkey time:
Take the turkey out of the oven. Let it rest for ten minutes before lifting it out of the pan.
Put the yams and stuffing in the oven.
Put the green beans in the microwave.
Get the bread out of the bread machine.
10 minutes before turkey time:
Make the gravy.
Turkey time!
Have everyone help place all the food on the table.
Have someone else serve the drinks.
Have another person slice the bread.
Turn on the coffee pot.
Sit down and enjoy the meal!
After dinner:
Since you’ve been cleaning as you go, most of the dishes will be done, except for what was on the table. Clean up will be fast and easy. Put on some fun music and go!
Have your family and friends help you put leftovers in zipper top bags and Glad Plastic storage bowls. These make it easy for guests to take home some of the leftovers. Make sure you save enough for your own Turkey Pot Pies and Monte Cristo Sandwiches on Friday and Saturday.
Rinse the dishes and stack them in the dishwasher.
Roll up the tablecloth and toss it in the washing machine.
Now you have time to enjoy some games and fun with family and friends.
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