So last night my boyfriend decides we are having Thanksgiving at our place - we have only been there a year, so this is my first Thanksgiving "out on my own". HELP! lol I cook regularly but nothing compared to an entire 'feast'! Luckily it will only be about 7 people. What do I need to do to prepare?! Any easy, quick advice you have. Thanks in advance!
2007-11-15 03:59:28 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Thanksgiving
Make your pies (2 should be enough) 1-2 days in advance. Thaw the turkey 2-3 days in the fridge if frozen. Write a menu and plan so that everything is done and ready at the same time (not easy to do for rookie cooks, ask for help in the kitchen if you need it.)
2007-11-15 04:05:00 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have read through all the advice and it's all good. One thing I would stress is... if this is your first large (semi-large) dinner gathering, Keep it Simple and more Traditional and I am referring to both the food and the decor. Simple can be very elegant.
Make your menu (including beverages, appetizers, snacks and desserts) NOW and plan around it. Also, this helps when a guests calls to ask, "what can I bring?" I have some ideas for sides, they are simple and easy to do and they can usually be done the day before - they usually wow. If you're interested, please feel free to e-mail me.
Anything you can do the day/night before, such as peeling and cutting potatoes(store in water in the frig), vegetable sides, vegetable trays, pies etc... do it. You will have enough to do Thanksgiving Day and you will want to have the time interact with your guests.
And gravy, despite what many people think, is very easy - homemade is always best. Take your turkey neck and gizzards (I just use the neck as I don't like the gizzards) and simmer on the stove for a few hours, use 2 cups of water and 2 Boullion cubes. (You can even do this and the following the day before.)
Rule of thumb, 1 TBS of flour per 1 Cup of liquid. If you're using corn starch, it's about half that amount per cup - one is less fattening than the other but I can't remember which one.
About 1 hour before dinner is served set aside 1 cup of milk or half and half (richer and more fattening!), once it is room temp. add flour, salt, pepper (don't forget to estimate how much pan drippings you have as well as how much water is in the pan with the gizzards when adding the flour). If there's not a lot of liquid you'll want to add another cup of milk. Whisk the flour into the milk, if the milk is room temp you shouldn't get the clumps.
Remove the gizzards from the pan, add milk with flour mixture and turn up the heat... Once it starts to gently boil start stirring and continue until the gravy is thickened. It doesn't take long and it's really not that hard. If you do this the day before, just add the pan drippings from your turkey while you're reheating the gravy.
Happy Thanksgiving!
2007-11-15 13:02:41 · answer #2 · answered by Nite_0wl 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You and I are in the same boat...I'm having thanksgiving here for the first time this year, and am having 7 people here. lol
Anyway, I've been working out a menu and stuff already so I have some plans. Turkey: make sure you get it starting to thaw by tuesday (in the fridge) or it won't thaw in time. Check allrecipes.com for turkey cooking tips.
Always use DEEP DISH pie crusts for pumpkin pies. The regular ones are not deep enough. Also, you WILL have a little pumpkin mixture left when you are done filling your shells, so don't worry. One can of pure pumpkin (plus other ingredients) will fill 2 pies.
Plan your menu out carefully, and make a detailed shopping list so you don't have to go back. The closer it is to the holiday, the crazier it is at the store.
Don't bother trying to make gravy if you have no experience with it. It is messy and time consuming and difficult. Just buy some.
Email me if you have any specific questions.
2007-11-15 12:12:41 · answer #3 · answered by missbeans 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My trick is that I always cook my turkey the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. I've been doing it that way for about the last six years, and my grandmother did that before me. It helps eliminate the whole "turkey not being done on time" thing. I've never had a turkey be too dry either. Just be sure you keep it basted regularly and cook it with the lid on.
2007-11-15 14:20:29 · answer #4 · answered by Flock of Seagulls Haircut 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Seems you've gotten quite a bit of advice. Only thing I can beg you is to make sure the turkey is moist. I know people that open the oven every 15 min to baste the turkey and have the moistest turkey. You may want to make this one a memorable one. Consider using a cooking bag! The turkey will be moist and folks won't feel like they NEED cranberry sauce to eat it...but they can still use it if they want.
2007-11-16 06:37:14 · answer #5 · answered by Nauti 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
get your turkey now and don't freeze it. create your menu and make a list of EVERY ingrediant. Take inventory and go shop for the rest. pies & cakes can be made the day before. try your best to create a timeline so you can get everything on the table while it's hot. also keep in mind how many items will need to be placed in the oven and for how long. the turkey usually takes the whole thing, so you can only bake things after its out. choose recipes that don't require too much time in the oven
2007-11-15 12:12:13 · answer #6 · answered by twosey ♥ 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You provide the bird and either assign/or ask everyone to bring a dish for 7 people. Keep tabs so there are no duplicates. Been doin it for years and works like a charm.
2007-11-15 12:07:53 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
for the turkey use one of those bags for cooking. makes the turkey yummy and no basting. yipee lol green beans and mushroom soup is yummy also pumpkin cheesecake is a HUGE hit. kraft.com has a good recipe
2007-11-19 03:27:54 · answer #8 · answered by Nikki B 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Go to www.foodnetwork.com!! They have party ideas and tips for you to plan your feast and thousand of recipes to help you along the way. Also try www.fineliving.com if you want to select really good wines, decor, and recipe tips for your feast good luck!!!
2007-11-15 12:09:55 · answer #9 · answered by prettyshannon 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
call your guests and ask them to bring their thanksgiving dish to your home and you just make the turkey. easy and simple nothing fancy.
2007-11-15 12:42:19 · answer #10 · answered by mycorollababy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋