Today is the day to get down to business about that little thing in the back of your mind, cooking Thanksgiving Dinner. You can conquer this thing! And, you can enjoy it!
Check the menu in the game plan How to Cook Thanksgiving Dinner without Breaking a Sweat.
Have you added any of your own favorite dishes? Add the ingredients for them to the Thanksgiving Day Shopping List.
Check your cupboards and decide which dishes you will use for serving the food. Do you have enough serving bowls, spoons, and plates? If not, find some this weekend. Borrow them from friends or relatives, or buy them if you have the money.
Get everything you need for your dinner at the grocery store. Many of the items on the list you will already have on hand, if you use my plan for A Well Stocked Pantry. You will probably only need to buy the turkey and the fresh ingredients.
This weekend, if you need to do a little cleaning around the house, enlist the help of your family and get it done. Don’t get crazy about it. Just clean the dining room, bathrooms, and straighten up the kitchen. If you get too involved in cleaning, you will be too tired to get the preparations done this week. Spread it out over several days. Be kind to yourself!
Print the game plan and read it again. Post it on the wall or someplace where you’ll see it every day, so you’ll know what to do each day. If you follow the plan, you’ll only need a few minutes each day to get ready for the big T-Day.
I hope this plan helps. It’s been a lifesaver for me, and after cooking Thanksgiving Dinner for umpteen years, I can say that it works! Have a terrific holiday!
Friday, November 20, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Cornbread Stuffing for Thanksgiving Dinner
This recipe goes together quick. Just make the cornbread the night before, chop it up, and then it will be ready to use on Thanksgiving Day with no extra fuss. It's part of my game plan, How to Cook Thanksgiving Dinner without Breaking a Sweat.
Ingredients for cornbread:
Corn meal
Flour
Eggs
Baking powder
Oil
Milk
Prepare the cornbread:
Just follow the package directions for cornbread. Omit any sugar from the recipe. Let the cornbread cool, then cut it into cubes. Store it in a zipper top bag until you are ready to make the stuffing.
Ingredients for stuffing:
One recipe of cornbread, cut into cubes.
4 stalks of celery, chopped fine
1 large onion or 2 small onions, chopped fine
Optional: ½ cup of grated carrots
1 stick of butter
4 cups of turkey or chicken broth
1 Tbsp poultry seasoning
1 tsp sage
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp crushed rosemary
1 tsp salt
Preparation:
Fry the celery and onion in the butter until translucent. Add the carrots if you are including them.
Stir the seasonings into the vegetables.
Add the cornbread, and stir until the vegetables are mixed in with the bread.
Pour the broth into the pan with the cornbread and stir. Keep adding broth until you get the stuffing at the consistency your family likes. Some people like it dry, some like it more moist.
Keep the stuffing warm.
When you remove the turkey from the oven, put the cornbread stuffing in the oven to bake for about 20 minutes. Keep it covered so it doesn’t dry out.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
How to Cook Thanksgiving Dinner without Breaking a Sweat
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.
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.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Sweet Ribs with Roasted Root Vegetables
Pop these ribs and vegetables in the crockpot in the morning for a warm fall dinner. Yes, you’ll need two crockpots for this one. Otherwise, cook the ribs in the crockpot and the vegetables in the oven that evening.
Ingredients:
Pork or beef ribs, bone-in
2 Tbsp vinegar
1 bottle honey barbeque sauce
2 potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes
1 yam, peeled and cut into cubes
2 parsnips, peeled and sliced
1 yellow onion, quartered
¼ cup of parsley, chopped
Salt and pepper
Preparation:
Cook the ribs:
Simmer the ribs in water to cover and the vinegar for 10 minutes.
Sprinkle salt and pepper on the ribs and place in the crock pot.
Pour the honey barbeque sauce over the top.
Cook on low for 8 hours.
Cook the vegetables:
There are two ways to do the vegetables.
In the crock pot:
Place the vegetables in a crockpot lightly coated with oil.
Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and cook on low for 8 hours.
In the oven:
Place the vegetables in a baking dish, dot with butter, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and cover with tin foil.
Bake for 45 minutes at 375 degrees. Uncover and cook for 10 minutes longer, to brown.
Serve this with lots of napkins and iced tea.
Another delicious ribs recipe is Country Pork Ribs with Pesto Mashed Potatoes.
Fall Salad with Cranberries, Oranges, and Pecans
This salad is an easy one to make for Thanksgiving dinner.
Ingredients:
Salad mix (or make a mixture of green leaf, red leaf, and romaine lettuce)
¼ cup of crushed pecans or walnuts
1 small can mandarin oranges
½ cup of dried cranberries
Preparation:
Mix the lettuce.
Toss in the drained mandarin orange slices
Sprinkle the cranberries and pecans over the top.
This tastes great with an Asian style dressing over it.
Ingredients:
Salad mix (or make a mixture of green leaf, red leaf, and romaine lettuce)
¼ cup of crushed pecans or walnuts
1 small can mandarin oranges
½ cup of dried cranberries
Preparation:
Mix the lettuce.
Toss in the drained mandarin orange slices
Sprinkle the cranberries and pecans over the top.
This tastes great with an Asian style dressing over it.
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