Home > Feeding Frenzy > Archives > 2008 > October > 31 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USHow early do you start prepping for Thanksgiving?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Once Halloween passes, I’m on to the next holiday. The biggie, Thanksgiving.
For years I have hosted celebrations with over 20 people and find that with a bit of planning, it’s not that hard to do. I’ve discovered if I get a head start there’s a lot I can prepare in advance to help the holiday go off without a hitch.
Right about now, I’m starting my to-do and recipe lists, which I’ll add to throughout the month. I also start on my dressing and desserts three to four weeks out.
Since I usually do a bread-based dressing, I’ve been putting leftover odds and ends from various loaves in the freezer all year long. Within the next week, I’ll defrost, cube and measure them and put them in a freezer container (alternatively, if doing a cornbread dressing, bake and prep it now). Since I normally add sausage and veggies, I’ll saute those and freeze them in separate containers so they’ll be ready to go too.
More great make-ahead and freeze items are pie crusts and desserts. I roll out and fit the pie crust into my pie plates, wrap well and set them in the freezer. If I’m doing a cake (gingerbread is often requested) I bake, wrap and freeze that too.
Has the holiday hit your radar yet, or, are you already way ahead of me? What are your best make ahead tips?
RELATED LINKS: Thanksgiving recipes | Atlanta Holiday Entertaining Guide
Permalink | Comments (11) | Post your comment | Categories: Holidays, Home cooking, Shortcuts
Comments
By Stacey
October 31, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this
I will usually bake the cornbread and make the stock for my dressing the weekend before Thanksgiving. If I’m baking a ham I will usually get up around 4 am and put it in the oven & go back to bed. No one in our family (including in-laws) are big turkey fans so we usually will roast chicken or just a turkey breast to go with the ham. Also, my mother-in-law, sister-in-law and I rotate who hosts the meal and we share the cooking so no one gets stuck with everything.
By amy
November 3, 2008 8:31 AM | Link to this
I do the green bean casserole day the night before so all that has to be done day of is to bake it in the oven. Desserts are also made the night before. Day of: Put Turkey on the Grill & Smoke it all day long-start at 7 am end at 5 pm. Make Rolls or corn bread muffins and Mash Potatos day of. Not a big stuffing fan.
By ccs
November 3, 2008 8:37 AM | Link to this
I usually bake my pies the day before. I also bake or cook my sweet potatoes the day before so that all I have to do on Thursday is assemble the casserole and topping. We usually have a small crowd of just family (no more than 8 people), so everyone contributes something. I try to get the bulk of my shopping done no later than Tuesday.
By Sugar
November 3, 2008 9:15 AM | Link to this
We do the turkey on Thanksgiving day, the pies the weekend before. Some things get finished the night before Thanksgiving. The alcohol gets purchased the weekend before also.
The Turkey, potatos and salad are all done on Turkey Day.
By Rob
November 3, 2008 9:27 AM | Link to this
I just cooked everything this weekend. I don’t like the relatives and in-laws and they don’t like me so since I was “volunteered” to have T-Day this year, the food should be just about right after sitting out for 3 weeks.
By Nixon710
November 3, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this
My ex Mother in Law, used to drive me nuts on Thanksgiving. She would cook every dish, one at a time, then put it on the table. The turkey was cooked the weekend before, and stuck in the Deep freeze until the night before Thanksgiving. By the time we all sat down for dinner, the turkey was still frozen unless you had a leg, and every dish on the table had been sitting for hours.
By lovelyliz
November 3, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this
I start cooking for Thanksgiving on the Friday after. With all the divorces, marriages, custody arrangements, it’s impossible for everybody to be everywhere on Thanksgiving day so I host Thanksgiving dinner on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. This way my newly married sister’s mother-in-law is happy as is my other sister’s ex-in-laws. We get invited to someone’s house on Thursday and everyone who still wants to eat can come to mine on Saturday.
As for the food, I brine the Turkey outside on my porch the very cold night before and pop it in first thing. Alton Brown has the best recipe for brining a turkey. We usually get the guests to bring a side dish/dessert so that’s covered and I fill in the wholes.
By Sugar
November 3, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this
Does anyone else fry their turkey? We always do both. Something about the frying the guys just love. They all stand around the fryer with their beers, looking all manly and clueless…
By me
November 6, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this
“The alcohol gets purchased the weekend before also.” “They all stand around the fryer with their beers”
When did alcohol become such a large part of a Thanksgiving meal?
By FCM
November 11, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this
Alcohol became a large part of the Thanksgiving meal when the In-Laws showed up for dinner.
:o)
By Becky
November 14, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this
me, alcohol has always been a part of EVERYTHING with my family..This is the reason that we never have any family gatherings at my house..When people come to my house, if they smoke or drink, they have to go outside.. I think it’s very sad that so many people can’t be together as a family & not drink..
Sorry about the rant..Back on topic, I’ll start cooking Thanksgiving day..Nothing major, since it’s just me & my husband..Yes, we will go to the families house, but not to eat..Hope all have a great one..