I don't know about you, but Thanksgiving meal preparations used to have me at my wits end when we sat down to dinner. It was a day long affair, launching with prepping the turkey at first light and ending with a fury of last-ditch hustle and bustle.
Checking each course for proper flavouring, it seemed like I'd been checking and tasting the whole time. Finally, after too many years of this disorder, I happened upon a do-ahead recipe book, which filled my head with loads of thanksgiving feast ideas! Nowadays, the most stressful thing I have to do on the big day is getting the bird in the oven and brewing some coffee afterwards. Here are some strategies for easy and mouth-watering Thanksgiving dinner menu ideas.
As an alternative to tackling the enormous task of moving all the food in the fridge to free up some space for a massive turkey, try this idea from a experienced Naval cook. Pick up the frozen bird at the shop the day before Thanksgiving. (Be sure to order ahead of time!) Fill a big cooler with plenty cold water to immerse the bird. Close the lid and just before you head for bed, turn the bird over. The bird should be ready for cooking by morning. This method has been utilised for years and is very doable.
If you've ever wondered why your turkey don't cook in the time given on the packaging directions. It's because of having to constantly open the oven to baste the bird. This thanksgiving dinner party idea is a treasure. Melt a stick of butter and add your seasonings. Slip your hand between the skin of the breast and leg, softly lifting the skin from the meat. Put the turkey on end and pour the butter in between the skin and meat, with your (clean!) fingers to spread the melted butter. Rest the bird breast facing up on the oven rack, wrap with thin-foil and put it in the oven. The bird bastes itself. Foolproof.
A large amount traditional Thanksgiving pies, like mince pies and pumpkin pies, are ideal do-aheads. Just freeze, take out and defrost the day before and bake the night before Thanks Giving. The same applies for rolls and biscuits.
While your pies bake, prepare the vegetables you'll use in your stuffing. Flavour and place in a bag in the fridge until morning. Prepare and cook potatoes, then bag them for mashing tomorrow. Sauces? This can be cooking while the veggies are being chopped.
Good Thanksgiving dinner ideas share one thing in common - a reduced work load and more thanks giving on Thanksgiving Day! Do-ahead starters are often the most complex and tasty. Browse for recipes on the Net that suit your menu and tastes. Shop for these ingredients a couple of weeks ahead of the big day and spend a Sunday prepare these appetizers. Freeze them and leave until the big day. As you prep the turkey, bake your treats.
These Thanksgiving dish ideas leaves lots of free time for greeting and entertaining, with a tasty banquet everyone adores!
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