I try to get as much done as possible before Thanksgiving so that I can kick back and enjoy the day. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday – its about being with the people you care about and food. The food very much lends its self to making ahead . All of the recipes on my side post can be made ahead with the exception of the salad.
I also, find it tremendously helpful to get all of the tableware and centerpieces sorted out as far in advance as possible especially since, the kids are home for most of the week. Laying everything out and labeling what is going where makes it game day much stress free.
Lists , lists and more lists. I love them and they help me create a game plan. I make one for each day leading up and on the big day I make an hourly list. There is great satisfaction in checking things off the list and it makes me feel like there is some control to the chaos.
Menu
Appies
Smoked Salmon with Herbed Butter on Toast Points
Brie en Croute
Pigs in a Blanket
Main Event
Apple cider braised Turkey
Corn Bread Stuffing with sausage and mushrooms
Creamed onions
Mashed Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows
Roasted Brussel Sprouts
Escarole and Acorn Squash Salad with Blue Cheese Vinaigrette
Cranberry Sauce with Oranges
Pan Gravy
Dessert
Pecan Chocolate Chip Pie
Pumpkin Pie
Thanksgiving Butter Cookies
Whipped Cream
Monday
Put out and label each serving piece according to dish
make cranberry sauce
count napkins
count plates
make sure have enough candles
Tuesday
make centerpieces – this year I went with dried flowers and pheasant feathers
write out place cards
brine turkeys
make corn bread for stuffing
Double check that you have enough glasses
Wednesday
Make stuffing
creamed onions
make sweet potatoes
Get lunch in order for Thursday – we eat later in the day around 5 so there is a lunch course
Thursday
am:
Take Turkey out of Brine and make sure its dry.
trim brussel sprouts or veggies
3 pm
Assemble salmon toasts
Assemble Brie
Make Mashed Potatoes
3:45 pm
Turkey in Oven – the recipe I use is 45 minutes cooking time
Heat up Mashed Potatoes
Heat up Onions
Finish Stuffing
Roast Brussel Sprouts
assemble salad
Heat up and assemble sweet Potatoes and finish in oven when there is room.
5 pm
Dinner!
