How do I get Thanksgiving all on the table at once?

Question

My Husband and I moved to a new home this year two hundred miles away from our family so we could go to college. We are friends with two other families who are in a similar situation. So we decided to put on Thanksgiving at my house. Did I mention that if it doesn't come out of a box I don't know where to begin? I took home Ec but that was ten years ago. How do I get the Turkey, Augratin Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Rolls, Green Beans, ETC all cooked and piping hot on the table at once? I only have one oven. Some things I can cook on the stove top, but others require baking and at different temps. I will make stuffing but not in the bird, too many stories of people getting sick.

Any Seasoned Vetrans out there got a few suggestions for me?

Answer 1

Potatoes and green beans can be cooked ahead of time and warmed in the microwave just before setting the table. I cook my turkey early in the morning. I do not carve it on the table. I take the meat off of the bone and put it in a crock pot with the drippings and some water or turkey broth and leave it on low until time to eat. We eat dressing not stuffing so I cook it next to the last. I know how long it takes and after it is done I put the rolls in last. About the time the rolls are almost done I start putting things on the table. Cook your desserts the day before or better yet let the rest of the family bring dessert and or other side dishes to help out.

Answer 2

You need another oven. Ask one of your guests if they have a toaster oven that they could lend you for the evening. That would help a lot...I've used one to cook a ham in. Also, try not to put too many "oven needy" foods on the menu. The sweet potatoes can go in the same pan as the turkey, and the flavour will be fabulous. Believe me, it's hard work preparing all this, but you will be so proud of yourself after you've gotten through it. Green beans can be steamed or boiled, or even microwaved. Think of other ways to utilize your microwave... Stuffing can also be done on the stove top, as well as mashed potatoes, corn, and broccoli. Yes, your turkey SHOULD come out a half hour before serving time, as it continues cooking even when it is removed from the oven. It helps to seal in juices...just tent it with some aluminum foil, and carve and reheat in the micro if it need it.
Good Luck hon!

Answer 3

It is possible, turkey first, the rest is timing, check how long each item in oven takes, the hottest last. there should be no more than an hour on the rest of the items, green beans stove top, also stuffing if not in bird. as you get closer to the turkey being done, start your other vegetables, potatoes and such. turning down the heat, but most should be about the same temp. rolls last. It is all in the timing, i could do it , but I hope you get the jist of what i am saying. If any questions feel free to ask.
Also a chef in my many talents, good luck.

I AM

Answer 4

The Turkey will go in first about an hour before taking the turkey out put in the augratin potatoes then the turkey and potatoes come out they will stay warm for quite a while till you get the sweet potatoes, stuffing and green beens done, you can use both racks. Once they come out do the rolls, they take 8-10 minutes and whalah, you have a nice hot dinner ready for the table. Do the deserts the day before.

Answer 5

Having one oven makes it tough. Microwaves are great but they are only good at the last minute. Ask some of the others for help...they'll understand. Say, "Hey can you do the potatoes?" then ask another one, "Hey can you bring rolls.". At that point you have the turkey, gravy, a dessert, and some vegetables left. Potatoes are a pain the butt...Make the dessert the day before. The vegetable can be nuked in the microwave the last ten minutes before everything goes on the table. Don't be afraid to ask for help...Turkey dinners are a lot of work.

Answer 6

Trust me, as the youngest cousin, I sat at the kids table way through adulthood, so don't feel alone. There were not enough seats at the big table for all of the adults. My older cousins, by 2 years) sat with the adults. I was quiet too, I guess it was thought that I would be a good example. Not. Think of it this way, it's just family, not your friends, and if you keep quiet about it, no one will ever know. And ignore the mom's friend's kid. Maybe he was as embarraseed as you were, and just trying to deal with it the best way he knew how. If you want to, this year try to distract him with talk suitable to a 19 year old, but eating , and being polite would be the way to be if you do not want to deal with him. It really is awful sometimes being the good kid in the family, my cousins on one side of the family were always into every kind of trouble you can think of, drugs, stealing, arrests, drinking, really bad marriages, and except for the oldest granchild, (Sue was always the favorite), were always the favorites. These kids belonged to an important corporate mogul, money in the family, good breeding was available. Go figure.

Answer 7

The turkey can come out of the oven about half an hour before you eat. Cook as much stuff as you can ahead of time and after you take the turkey out put the other stuff in at 350 for 30 minutes while you carve the turkey. Good luck!!

Answer 8

Do you have a crock pot? That would get the potatoes out of the way (well I don't know about au gratin, mashed for me but that's not my business). When the turkey comes out, it needs to sit for about 30 minutes anyway, that's the time to put the other things in the oven -- they should be ready to go in. Make each dish (except the turkey) over the next few days, that would help to test each dish out. My mom always used one can of mushroom and one of celery soup, it made a tasty green bean casserole. Do not take things right out of the refregerator and throw them in the oven, they will take longer to heat up than they would at room temperature. GOOD LUCK.

Answer 9

Prep, prep, prep:) Prepare all you can ahead of time and the night before. Slowly take each dish through your mind and figure out what you need to do, write it down on a list.
The more you do the work ahead of time, the more you will enjoy the experience the day it happens. Relax, have fun, and enjoy each moment of preparation.

Show Martha Stewart how she should be doing it YOUR way:)

And next year, have everyone bring their own favorite dish, that is fun too! You just do 'ol Tom Turkey. If it is not to late, do that this year:) Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Answer 10

Turkey goes in the oven first...then 'rests' under foil while you cook the rest. Next the potatoes in the oven...just use one temperature...take an average. Veggies on the stove or in the microwave...Rolls, can be baked way earlier...everything doesn't have to be piping hot...