Counting Down to Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving day is almost here. In just three days we will be gathering around the table to give thanks for our many blessings and enjoy a delicious meal with family and friends.

No matter how small or how big your holiday gathering is going to be, whether you are hosting for the first time or you have been doing this for years, one thing is certain:  we can all benefit from some planning so we are not overwhelmed and can better enjoy our Thanksgiving day!  So, I am sharing my own planner to help you minimize the stress and maximize your time with loved ones.

Three days before Thanksgiving:

1. Finalize the dish planning, make a detailed shopping list, and do all your shopping. If you have not already done so, buy your turkey. More info about turkeys here.
2. Make a dry brine for the turkey. Ever since I tried this way of brining a few years back, I have never gone back to use any other method.  Dry brining is a mess-free, fool-proof way of infusing incredible flavor into the bird and it always results in a very moist turkey!  Check out my popular post on how to dry brine and roast your turkey.

Two days before Thanksgiving:

1. Prepare the pie dough, then wrap and store it in the refrigerator for the next day.
2. Make Ina Garten’s “make-ahead” gravy with sage and store it in the refrigerator until Thanksgiving.
   

One day before Thanksgiving:

1. Reorganize your refrigerator, making sure you have lots of extra free space. You will need it!
2. Make your favorite recipe for cranberry relish and refrigerate.
3. Trim and wash all your vegetables and greens. Store them wrapped in paper towels and then in zip-topped bags in the refrigerator.
4. Prep all garnishes and toppings.
5. Assemble your favorite stuffing, cover, and refrigerate to bake on Thanksgiving day.
6. Bake your bread rolls or biscuits and store to reheat later.
7. Bake the pies and store in a cool place.

On Thanksgiving Day:

1. Early in the morning, preheat the oven. Remove the turkey and the turkey stock from the refrigerator.
2. Chill white and sparkling wines.
3. Bake the side dishes that can be re-warmed later.
4. Roast the turkey and cook the stove top side dishes.
5. When the turkey is done, and while it is still resting, finish the gravy and reheat the bread rolls.
6. Turn the oven off and place the pies in the oven. By the time you get to the dessert, they will be at the perfect temperature to enjoy with some ice cream or whipped cream.

Here are a few suggestions for Side Dishes:

Make-ahead Parmesan Mashed Potatoes

Maple Roasted Acorn Squash

Green Beans with Caramelized Shallots

Roasted Rainbow Carrots with Orange Vinaigrette 

Creamy Scalloped Potatoes

Sherry Sweet Potatoes

Harvest Salad with Persimmons and Pomegranates

Favorite Thanksgiving Bread Rolls

Soft Parker House Rolls:

 

Easy Buttermilk Drop Biscuits 

Favorite Thanksgiving Dessert

Every year we make two pies. Usually we will have an apple pie, a cranberry apple walnut, or, a pear and almond pie, as one of the two. The second pie, however, is always the same and it appears without fail every year on our Thanksgiving table. I cannot imagine Thanksgiving without this delicious Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie!

Wishing you all a Happy, Happy Thanksgiving!

To all of you who have been following my blog since its beginning and to the many new readers too:

I am very grateful that you have signed up to receive my weekly posts and for following along with my culinary adventures. I am very thankful that you take your time to read my posts, try my recipes, and leave your comments!