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DASHING THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS - THANKSGIVING TIPS & TRICKS

DASHING THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS - THANKSGIVING TIPS & TRICKS

Thanksgiving is less than a week away. For the last few years, it has been myself & my small family; which requires me having to do most if not all of the cooking. Growing up, I used to spend Thanksgiving with my entire family…I have a very huge family – all I had to do was show up and look cute – just to sit in the living room lol. Now that I am older, I have my own family and we have our own traditions. As each year comes and goes, I realize that planning & executing Thanksgiving dinner has become easier for me. And it's because I am a ‘write it down & check it off the list’ kinda person. I work best with a system! So, here I was looking at my list today, in preparation for the big feast.. and it hit me...Preparing and executing my second favorite holiday has become easier for me because of my system. I want to help you take the pressure off of yourself. The holidays are suppose to be enjoyable. If you’re the one that does most of the preparation and cooking, then it is easy to feel overwhelmed and stressed. I have used this checklist for the last 3 years, and it gets better overtime…I get better overtime. I've shared this with OG Dashers in the past and we all swear by this list..it is tried and true and loved by many okurrrr!

 

Friday Before Thanksgiving

  • Clean out fridge and pantry. Discard seasonings that no longer taste lively and fresh. All expired condiments, toss them.
  • Make a grocery list based off of your menu. If you don’t need it don’t buy it. This will help you to stay within your food shopping budget.
Saturday Before Thanksgiving 
  • Deep clean your home. A good idea may be to outsource to a cleaning company. Most start at $10 per hour (Hey Groupon) It is a good way to preserve your time and energy. If bringing in some help isn’t your thing…blast some music, sip on some wine & take your time. The air in your home will feel better in no time.
Sunday Before Thanksgiving 
  • Hit the grocery store early in the am. I like to be the first one at the door. I like to hit at least four stores. No store has everything that I need. Try your best to stick to your list – you don’t know need another tin of cookies…the kids will live if you don’t pick up the apple cider donuts. If you can, leave the kids at home. You need to be focused before the rush comes. Also you don’t need your child bugging your for paw patrol cereal that probably doesn’t taste good.
  • Hit the liquor store. Don’t wait for Thanksgiving …the lines will be long.
  • You need as much space in your fridge as possible. Purchase a cooler, preferably one on wheels.. fill it up with ice (day of or day prior) and place all can sodas, waters, and juices in the cooler. This is the best thing to do – unless you have another fridge.
  • Thaw meats – once thawed place in fridge.
Monday Before Thanksgiving 
  • Brine turkey for at least 48 hours. Turkey must be tender, juicy and flavorful.
  • Season/Marinate all other meats.
  • Decorate table. If using fresh flowers – wait until the day before or morning of to style flowers.
  • Organize where food will go, and what platter each dish will be placed on. I usually use post it notes w. the names of each dish and stick it in the center of each platter. It’s easy to forget when you are doing a million and one things.
Tuesday Before Thanksgiving 
  • Let the baking begin! All pies, cakes, cupcakes, cookies etc should be made on Tuesday. You can skip the baking process and order from your fav baker. I usually bake some items and order others.
  • Chop, cut, dice, and slice all veggies. Store in ziplock bags or clear deli containers in the fridge.
  • Light cleaning – do a mini refresh to each room.

Wednesday Before Thanksgiving 

  • Last minute store run…because we always forget something  (Don’t forget the ice + fresh flowers)
  • Begin cooking at 12pm – start with taking the Turkey out of the brine. Season it and put it back in the fridge. Next, start preparing your side dishes that can easily be made ahead & reheated the next day.
  • DO NOT stay up all night cooking. Have a cut off time. My cut off is usually midnight – at this time the ham usually goes in the oven on low.

Thursday Thanksgiving Day 

  • Wake up at 6am - Take a shower, have a cup of coffee, and turn on some mellow music.
  • Chill all drinks, make all appetizers, set out snacks and desserts.
  • Continue cooking – everything smells great.
  • Turkey should be in oven 5 hours before dinner time. We eat dinner at whatever time everyone gets there… Turkey usually goes in no later than 2pm.
  • Relax a bit, remember to freshen up. You deserve to be cute on Thanksgiving too!
  • Finish any last minute items then ENJOY DINNER!
Friday Day After Thanksgiving 
  • Store leftovers for up to 4 days.
  • Use leftovers for new recipes.

 

Some know that things will arise …some things may sway off course … but you got this. Happy Cooking & Happy Thanksgiving!

 


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