What prep steps can be done 1, 2, or 3 days prior to cooking the Thanksgiving meal?!
I want to do as much as I can prior to the day I serve Thanksgiving as a late lunch!. The only thing I can think of so far is to make the cornbread (that I will use in the dressing) a few days ahead, since it's best dried out anyway!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Answers:
You can peel wash and cut your veggies!. Store them in the fridge in a plastic container!. Put a wet paper towel in there so they won't dry out!. Sweet potatoes can be cooked in advance and chilled 1 or 2 days!. Regular potatoes will turn black, so cut them the day before and cover with water!. Any casseroles or baked dishes can be prepared 1 day in advance!. Just remember to put them into a cold oven or your dish can crack!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
My dad is always "in charge" of our big Thanksgiving meal - which usually means at least 10-15 dishes!
He always puts together his casseroles (green beans, sweet potato, etc) a few days ahead - go ahead and boil the sweet potatoes, mix in the seasonings, etc - and then keeps them covered in the fridge until it is Turkey Day!. Then all he has to do on Thanksgiving (for those dishes anyway) is add the last minute "toppings" that you want on top to be crispy (the fried onions for green bean casserole for example) and pop them in the oven to heat up!. All the prep-work (and clean-up) has already been done!.
Hope that helps!Www@FoodAQ@Com
He always puts together his casseroles (green beans, sweet potato, etc) a few days ahead - go ahead and boil the sweet potatoes, mix in the seasonings, etc - and then keeps them covered in the fridge until it is Turkey Day!. Then all he has to do on Thanksgiving (for those dishes anyway) is add the last minute "toppings" that you want on top to be crispy (the fried onions for green bean casserole for example) and pop them in the oven to heat up!. All the prep-work (and clean-up) has already been done!.
Hope that helps!Www@FoodAQ@Com
You can prep all vegetables, make all pies and cakes and you can even make the mashed taters ahead of time (it was on Emeril Live this morning)
I don't see why you can't make the gravy (unless you are using the drippings)
Get all the plates, chairs, utensils, platters all washed and ready to go too!.
Cranberry sauce can be done ahead of time!.
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I don't see why you can't make the gravy (unless you are using the drippings)
Get all the plates, chairs, utensils, platters all washed and ready to go too!.
Cranberry sauce can be done ahead of time!.
Www@FoodAQ@Com
Prep your veggies, anything that has to be washed, peeled, chopped, or diced!. If you can't make the dish part-way in advance, at least store the ingredients in their own little containers so they are ready to go!. You can pack/wrap ingredients that are going into 1 dish together, to stay organized!.
Desserts can be made ahead of time, like pies!.
Sweet potatoes (candied) taste better the 2nd day, so you could definitely make that entire dish the day before!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Desserts can be made ahead of time, like pies!.
Sweet potatoes (candied) taste better the 2nd day, so you could definitely make that entire dish the day before!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
After making your cornbread and allowing it to dry out, you could make the dressing a day ahead and keep refrigerated before baking with the turkey, the green bean casserole could be assembled ahead, creamed cabbage ( a fav!. of ours) is best made a day or two ahead, you could cook the giblets, neck, wings, etc for the broth/gravy, ice tea or other beverage, desserts like pies, set the table and set out the serving dishes, etc!. Have fun, enjoy! Www@FoodAQ@Com
I'd thaw the turkey 3-5 days in the refrigerator according to the weight!. Cook the stuffing, rolls, and all your veggies that you want first!. Then cook the bird!. But: I'm different!. :) I love to cook so I do everything on the day of Thanksgiving!.
Cook the turkey first and pop the rolls in last!. I'd use the top burners for my sides!. Www@FoodAQ@Com
Cook the turkey first and pop the rolls in last!. I'd use the top burners for my sides!. Www@FoodAQ@Com
pre dice and chop veggies like carrots, celery, onion, garlic, etc!.!.
make pies the day before and store in fridge!.
put stuffing together the day before so all you have to do is cook it on turkey day!.
put any cassreoles ie!.!. green bean cassrerole together the night before!.
make salads that don't require much work ie!.!. slaw, potato, carrot at least 2 days before!.
the longer they set , the better they taste!.
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make pies the day before and store in fridge!.
put stuffing together the day before so all you have to do is cook it on turkey day!.
put any cassreoles ie!.!. green bean cassrerole together the night before!.
make salads that don't require much work ie!.!. slaw, potato, carrot at least 2 days before!.
the longer they set , the better they taste!.
Www@FoodAQ@Com
We always baked the pies and dinner rolls the day before Thanksgiving!. We also assembled the relish trays (sweet pickles, dill pickles, olives, stuffed celery and cranberry relish) and covered them with plastic wrap!.
Here are some do-ahead (and don't do-ahead) tips-
http://www!.nydailynews!.com/lifestyle/foo!.!.!.
Merry Cranberry! Www@FoodAQ@Com
Here are some do-ahead (and don't do-ahead) tips-
http://www!.nydailynews!.com/lifestyle/foo!.!.!.
Merry Cranberry! Www@FoodAQ@Com
Thaw your turkey (but not on the counter)!.!.!. for your stuffing, dry your bread & saute your veggies (and refrigerate) so all you need to do is put the stuffing together and stuff the bird!.!.!. Clean & chop all your veggies (and refrigerate)!.!.!. and cook your cranberry sauce!.
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