Thanksgiving Menu Mailer Part 1

Thanksgiving Menu Mailer Part 1 – Menu and Grocery List

FlyLady Here: I would like to personally thank Leanne Ely for her gift to all of you for this Thanksgiving Menu Mailer. She has it in 4 parts because it is 12 pages long. She has given us the tools for preparing a dinner; for many people this will be their first holiday meal. We have all read the Turkey and pumpkin pie SHE Shouldn’ts; We don’t want to have these things happen to our meal; but if they do we will enjoy the laughter next year.

Dear Friends,

If holiday meals were royalty, the big Thanksgiving Day meal no doubt, would be king. There is nothing more wonderful to walk into a home with the smell of Thanksgiving permeating the air. The big turkey is as regal as a monarch and the attending side dishes have become as dearly beloved as our centerpiece bird.

Having your menu prepared for Thanksgiving is as critical as actually inviting your guests. It’s one thing to ask Aunt Betty to bring her famous apple pie and another relative to bring something else, but if you’re nervously throwing together a menu the night before the big Turkey Day, you’ll find yourself hurried, worried and definitely, not enjoying the day.

Wonderful meals and celebrations like Thanksgiving are planned in advance because they’re more than just a big meal: they’re traditions and a means of tying heartstrings together. Believe it or not, a meal together is one of the ways we can put down anchors for our families and help them understand their place and role within our own family circles. The family dinner table is the day-in, day-out version of this. Celebratory meals like Thanksgiving, take this concept a step further with their own traditions and familiar recipes and add a distinctiveness that is all our own.

At my sister’s house, they always have sweet potato casserole with gobs of miniature marshmallows on the top, all browned and gooey. One traditional recipe at my house has always included my mom’s stuffing recipe (it’s the best and I’ve included the recipe), and my own homemade cranberry sauce (SO easy, recipe also included).

I decorate the table with colors of the season: miniature pumpkins and seasonal gourds piled up in a basket and a larger sugar pumpkin on either side of that basket with two taper candles in pewter candlestick holders, just waiting to be lit. The sideboard has three burnt orange candles of various sizes and heights and a big bunch of dried wheat standing on its own, tied with a raffia bow. ALL of this stuff was purchased incrementally at the grocery store since early October. The effect is beautiful and without a big price tag. Most of this, of course, will be moved for the big buffet on Thanksgiving. I am able to enjoy my pretty table now and it definitely puts me in the mood.

I have a gorgeous Thanksgiving Feast right here for you to enjoy. This one is all together and ready to go. Almost as easy a take out! (LOL) As with every Menu-Mailer I share with you, this special Thanksgiving Menu-Mailer has the menu, recipes and the itemized shopping list. Everyone of you have been such a gift to me–this my gift to you for the holidays. Happy Thanksgiving!

Love, Leanne

If dinner is a hassle at your house, you need Menu-Mailer. Go to http://www.SavingDinner.com and get your menu and check out the new low carb menu while you’re there.

MENU:

Simple Roast Turkey & Pan Gravy
Muzzie’s Fabulous Stuffing
Orange Cranberry Sauce
Mashed Potatoes
Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Onions
Sauteed Green Beans with Nutmeg
Rolls and Butter
Pumpkin Cheesecake

Here’s the Grocery List! MEAT:

1 14 to 16 pound turkey, fresh or frozen (your choice)
1 pound bulk breakfast sausage (I use Farmer John links with no casings)

CONDIMENTS:
Olive oil

PRODUCE:
3# onions
4 medium red onions
1 bunch carrots
1 bunch celery
1 green apple (smallish)
1 bunch parsley
5# russet potatoes (you will need 12 nice sized potatoes)
fresh green beans (12 good handfuls, LOL)
8 medium sweet potatoes (they are reddish and in the West they call them yams, but they are wrong! LOL)
1 pound bag fresh cranberries

SPICES:
Thyme
Poultry seasoning
White pepper
Sage
Nutmeg
Lemon pepper
Ground cinnamon
Ground ginger
Pure vanilla extract

CANNED GOODS:
1 or 2 (14.75 oz.) cans chicken broth (or more for back up)
1 (16 oz.) can pumpkin puree

DRIED GOODS:
Wondra flour (it’s in a blue canister)
Sugar (have at least 2 pounds on hand for baking, cranberries and coffee, etc.)
Coffee for dessert (perhaps decaf?)
1 box Mrs. Cubbison’s BREAD stuff Mix (or use Pepperidge Farm on the East Coast)
(NOT the cornbread kind)
1 envelope of turkey gravy mix (Don’t freak out!)
1 box gingersnaps

DAIRY:
2 pounds unsalted butter (freeze any remaining)
whipping cream (you need 3/4 cup)
half and half for coffee
milk (you will need for making potatoes–about a cup or so)
orange juice (you need one cup)
3 (8 oz.) packages of Philadelphia cream cheese (best brand) eggs (you need 4)

BAKERY:
Rolls for 12 (at my house, that would be 3 dozen!)

FROZEN:
Rolls for 12 (good alternative if you don’t do bakery rolls)

Part 2 has the recipes–

Thanksgiving Menu Mailer Turkey Talk: Part 2
Dear Friends,

Believe it or not, this next part is only on making the turkey and starting the gravy. If you’ve never done a turkey before, don’t be scared–think of that big ol’ thing as just a big chicken. This simple recipe will show you how.

Love, Leanne

Simple Roast Turkey & Pan Gravy
Serves 12 (with leftovers!)

1 15 pound turkey (at least, I will probably go bigger for more leftovers)
one stick of unsalted butter, softened
salt and pepper to taste
1 recipe Muzzie’s Fabulous Stuffing (see recipe)
(un-stuffing option: one carrot, one stalk of celery, an onion, a green apple, some thyme)
thyme
sage

You will usually find a package of giblets (innards) in the neck cavity of the turkey. Remove those, place in the fridge and I will tell you what to do with them later. Right now, it’s bath time for old tom. Rinse the cavities (the neck and bottom) and outside of the bird with cool water then pat dry with paper towels. Sprinkle the cavity of the turkey lightly with salt if desired. If you are not stuffing the bird, throw a washed carrot cut in half, a large onion cut in half and a celery stick cut in half into the cavity, sprinkle a little thyme and some salt and pepper. You can also add a half a green seeded apple, quartered if you like. I would also throw a little sage and thyme in there and mix everything up with my hand (about 1/2 a teaspoon each). This will just help to flavor the drippings, which in turn will help you make scrumptious gravy. Do not salt the cavity if you will be stuffing the turkey.

If you will be stuffing the bird, don’t do it now. Wait to do that till just before she hits the oven. Remove a rack from the oven, and position the last rack to be the second to the bottom ledge (in other words, not the very bottom). Turn on the oven to preheat, 500 degrees. (that’s not a typo)

Place the turkey, breast side up, on a rack in a shallow roasting pan (the rack will help the whole turkey brown). Rub your bird down (using your hands) with a cube of softened unsalted butter (this isn’t one of those calorie conscientious meals). You will want to get under the skin and over the skin too (unless putting your hand under the turkey’s skin creeps you out). Put half a cup of water on the bottom of the pan. If you are using a meat thermometer (which is advised) place the thermometer in the thickest part of the thigh muscle, but do not allow it to touch the bone or you will get a false reading.

NOW, stuff the bird if you are going to stuff. I have recently become a dressing convert after years of stuffing my bird. I used to stuff and I love the stuffing, but I have found that stuffing the turkey is one of the reasons the turkey dries out so my stuffing has become dressing now. A part of me mourns the loss of that delectable stuffing that came out of my turkey, but the other part of me is thrilled with the moist results of my turkey.
Place the turkey in a preheated 500-degree oven for a half hour. Set your timer! The reason for the intense beginning heat is that this will allow the fat under the skin on the bottom of turkey (remember- you’ve got her sitting on a rack in the roasting pan) to melt and help brown the skin on the bottom. No more mush bottomed turkeys! Also, the turkey will begin to turn bronzy brown, which you want. After the initial 500-degree zapping, turn your oven down to a respectable 325 degrees. Do you feel better now?

Follow the timetable (below) for approximate roasting time. Place a tent of foil loosely over the turkey when it begins to turn golden brown, exposing only the drumsticks to the oven. Roast the turkey until the meat thermometer reads 180 degrees (for a whole turkey) and the juice is no longer pink when you cut into the center of the thigh (it should be clear). The drumstick should move easily in the socket when lifted or twisted. When the turkey is finished roasting, remove it from the oven and let it stand at least 1/2 hour for easiest carving. However, it’s even better to let it rest an hour. That way you can count down the rest of the meal (Timeline to follow). Keep the turkey tented with foil so it will stay warm.

CHART FOR COOKING YOUR BIRD
The national Turkey Federation recommends you should cook your turkey until the temperature reaches 170 degrees in the breast and 180 degrees in the thigh (watch out for the bone) when a meat thermometer is inserted. A meat thermometer is distinctly different than a candy thermometer! (I tried to use one, once a upon a time LOL)

STUFFED TURKEY
8 to 12 pounds 3 to 3 1/2 hours
12 to 14 pounds 3 1/2 to 4 hours
14 to 18 pounds 4 to 4 1/4 hours
18 to 20 pounds 4 1/4 to 4 3/4 hours
20 to 24 pounds 4 3/4 to 5 1/4 hours

UNSTUFFED TURKEY
8 to 12 pounds 2 3/4 hours to 3 hours
12 to 14 pounds 3 to 3 3/4 hours
14 to 18 pounds 3 3/4 to 4 1/4 hours
18 to 20 pounds 4 1/4 to 4 1/2 hours
20 to 24 hours 4 1/2 to 5 hours
24 to 30 pounds 5 to 5 1/4 hours

Right about now, you’re probably wondering where the basting instructions are. Personally, I don’t baste. Why? Because basting actually dries out the bird! Every time you open the oven door, you lose 25 degrees of heat. What does this do? Because you to lose heat, you to have to cook the turkey longer. Longer cooking time means a drier turkey, period. (Yeah, yeah…I knoww you have been basting birds for a hundred years in your family and everyone swears by basting). I too was in the basting camp till one year I was overwhelmed with all I had to do (in typical SHE fashion, I was doing everything last minute) and we had the best, juiciest turkey ever. So my advice is don’t baste.

Once the turkey is finished with its roasting, remove it from the oven and let it rest for about 10 minutes in the pan. Then remove your bird from the pan to a cutting board and again, allow it to rest, at least 20 minutes; but an hour is better (and like I said earilier, it gives you a sense of a timetable to finish up the rest of dinner. Just put a little foil “jacket” on old tom to keep him warm). This is important because it will retain its juiciness if given the proper “nap”.

Roast Turkey Pan Gravy

Let’s face it: lumpy gravy just screams amateur. It doesn’t take gourmet chef cooking skills to make a lump-less gravy, nor is it rocket science. But for all the mixing, whisking and fussing, good gravy is a mystery. To do it yourself, you just need a few well-kept secrets given to you. So here you have it, once and for all: gravy demystified.

Here are the ingredients you will need to make gorgeous gravy:

Turkey broth (recipe of sorts, included. Keep reading)
Wondra flour (yes, buy this)
White pepper
Salt and pepper to taste

Remember I promised you I would tell you what to do with the giblet pouch? Now is the time. In that drippy bag, you are going to find a big old turkey neck, the heart, gizzard and liver. The heart, gizzard and liver are great treats for the dog, but unless giblet gravy is your heart’s desire (sorry, couldn’t help myself), in my opinion, they have no place in a gravy boat.

First off, get your turkey neck, a half a carrot, celery stalk and a half an onion, quartered. Throw them all together into a medium sized saucepan and fill about three quarters of the way up with cold water. Put the pan on a medium high heat, bring to a boil, then lower the temp and allow to simmer for about an hour or so. Throw a lid on the top and turn it down even lower and allow it to cook for another hour. Strain broth from solids (toss the solids) and set aside for later gravy making. If it is hours away from that event, refrigerate the broth.

Thanksgiving Menu Mailer Gravy Train: Part 3
Dear Friends,

Okay, on to more Thanksgiving dinner…now we’re getting down to the meat and potatoes, so to speak. You can easily copy and paste all of these Food for Thoughts into one document for easier viewing and then copy them off.

Love, Leanne

Hitting the Gravy Train

Okay, the turkey has been removed from the pan and is resting comfortably. Skim the big greasy globs of fat from the roasting pan and place in a medium sized saucepan (there should be about three tablespoons or so of fat, depending on the size of your bird). Next, take an equal amount of Wondra flour and add to that turkey grease (I know this sounds yucky, but you have to trust me). The heat should be about medium high and you need to whisk away to your heart’s content until the roux (pronounced ROO) is golden and thick, and naturally lump-less. This roux procedure will take you all of five minutes-very easy, you can’t mess this up. Set your beauteous roux aside.
< Now back to the roasting pan. Add a cup of your reserved turkey neck stock to the roasting pan and turn up the heat (you will probably need two burners for the job) and bring it to a boil. Using your wire whisk, scrape up all the browned bits off the bottom of the pan. Those browned bits contain concentrated turkey flavor that will make your turkey gravy absolutely to die for. Don’t skip this step. Now add all the golden roux in the saucepan you just made and whisk like your life depended on it. In just moments, a beautiful, velvety bronzed gravy should be emerging and filling you with the joy of accomplishment.

I am an admitted snob when it comes to gravy making, but even cookbook authors have their limitations when it comes to making enough turkey gravy. Truth be told, a turkey doesn’t make as much gravy as necessary for the gravy hounds undoubtedly sitting at your very holiday table. You know the types-they use three ladles of gravy on their potatoes alone before even tackling the turkey on their plates. It is because of them that I came up with this trick. Actually, I take that back. My sister did this and I was shocked at how good it was. I didn’t know she had done this at the time or I probably would have thrown myself prostrate on the stove begging her not to ruin the gravy. Here’s what she did: she added a package of dry turkey gravy mix (and the accompanying water) to her already made gravy. No one was the wiser-including me! I was amazed at how much gravy she had and too, was thrilled that I (an admitted gravy snob, plus a hound myself) was able to amply ladle gravy without being scolded about “saving some for the next guy”. She told me about the sneaky gravy extension trick after I had polished off Round One of The Meal and noticed there was still gravy left. I nearly needed smelling salts when she told me what she had done. I tried this trick at home and it is simply fabulous. This kind of mix stuff I will do on special occasions.

Muzzie’s Fabulous Stuffing
Serves 12 (with leftovers)

Muzzie is my mom, affectionately nicknamed this silly name (it means “confused” in the dictionary-I promise, I only found that out because I like crossword puzzles) by yours truly when I was a smart- mouthed kid. It stuck and now the whole world calls her Muzzie (although a few just go by plain, Muz). Muzzie is a great cook and for many years I tried different gourmet recipes for stuffing, all homemade, none with a mix, but none ever came out better than my Mom’s. Could be for sentimental reasons, but she definitely has a fan club at my house when it comes to stuffing!

1 box (2 envelopes) of Mrs. Cubbison’s Stuffing mix (on the East Coast, use Pepperidge Farm–NOT the cornbread kind, the regular bread kind)
2 stalks of celery, chopped
1 large onion chopped
1 good handful of parsley, finely chopped
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1 (14.75 oz.) can chicken broth (you won’t need the whole thing–as needed)
1 pound bulk breakfast sausage

First off, cook the sausage in a skillet with about an inch of water, over a medium high heat. You won’t be frying it-you’ll be poaching it. Use a potato masher to mash the sausage into smallish pieces. You want it thoroughly cooked and not browned and greasy, and not into tiny bits either. Poor any remaining water off. In a large mixing bowl, add sausage and remaining ingredients except the chicken broth. Toss everything together and add a little chicken broth a bit at a time to get a soft texture. You will use about a quarter of a cup of chicken broth or maybe a little more, depending on how dry your dressing is. You want it moist, not drenched. Definitely don’t soak the stuffing/dressing with chicken broth. Save any remaining broth for the gravy.

Place dressing in a casserole dish to be baked later at 425 degrees for 30 minutes . Use the rest for stuffing if you plan on stuffing your bird.

Orange Cranberry Sauce
Serves 12 (with leftovers)

4 cups fresh or frozen cranberries (1 pound bag)
1 cup water
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup orange juice

Rinse the cranberries (even if they are frozen) in a strainer with cool water, and remove any stems and bad or blemished berries.

In a large saucepan, over medium heat, heat the water, juice and sugar to boiling stirring occasionally. Continue boiling 5 minutes longer to assure sugar is completely melted, stirring occasionally.

Add the cranberries. Heat back to boiling over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Put a lid on the saucepan and continue boiling about 5 minutes longer, still stirring occasionally, until you hear the cranberries begin to pop. Remove the saucepan from the heat, give it a good stir and allow to cool for about 20 minutes. Pour the cranberry sauce into a bowl or container and allow to completely cool before refrigerating.

Good Old Fashioned Mashed Potatoes
Serves 12

12 good sized Russet potatoes, peeled and quartered
unsalted butter
milk
salt and pepper to taste

Fill a large pot with water and as you prepare the potatoes, throw them in after quartering them. After you are finished, drain the water if it looks dirty or murky and fill it up with fresh water. You need to adequately cover the potatoes, but there should be at least a couple of inches of cooking room.

Place the pot of potatoes on a burner, turn up to high and get the potatoes boiling. You can put on a lid on it (it will boil faster) but stay in the room so it doesn’t boil over. When it starts to boil, bring the heat down to a simmer and cook until fork tender (about 20 minutes or so, depending on how big your potato quarters are).

Now carefully drain that heavy pot. See if you can draft a big burly guy to do it for you. If not, please be careful!

To your steaming pot of potatoes, add butter. How much, well I don’t want to be quoted on how much I use on Thanksgiving (hey, it’s a special occasion!), let your conscience be your guide.

Next, salt and pepper to taste and add about 1/2 cup of milk. That’s a starting place. Now pull out your potato masher and put some elbow grease in it or get the big burly guy to do it. DON’T use the electric mixer on these gems! Potatoes have gluten in them and when you over handle them (as in whip the daylights out of them with an electric mixer), the gluten develops making your lovely mashed potatoes look more like wallpaper paste that needs thinning. Don’t go there! Use an old-fashioned potato masher or potato ricer (same kind of deal, only there are little holes in the bottom instead of the usual zigzag pattern of the normal potato masher).

FlyLady does her potatoes earlier in the day(about an hour before the meal) and puts them in a crockpot on low with a little butter on top to keep them from drying out (and the lid on too, of course). I think that is ingenious. However, one word of caution is that with so many variables with crockpots, you need to make sure yours will work for this task and the “low” setting isn’t too high. My old one works for this job, my new one is too hot. See what I mean? Test run a small batch first if you are able.

Thanksgiving Menu Mailer Recipe Roundup; Part 4

Dear Friends,

Is your mouth watering yet? Here’s the rest of the recipes.

Next week, I will give you a Turkey 101 essay so you can “talk turkey” with your bird, Turkey Triage help (troubleshooting cooking problems) and some “tools of the trade” (stuff you may need to either borrow or purchase so you can make the meal!

Love, Leanne

If dinner is a hassle at your house, you need Menu-Mailer. Go to http://www.menumailer.net and get your menu and check out the new low carb menu while you’re there. Watch for my new book, Saving Dinner: The Menus, Recipes and Shopping Lists to Bring the Family Back to the Table (Ballantine) available on Amazon!

Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Onions
Serves 12

8 medium peeled sweet potatoes — cut into 2-inch pieces
4 medium red onions, cut into 1-inch pieces
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons lemon pepper
1 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Combine all ingredients in 2, 13 x 9 inch baking dishes, evenly dividing up the ingredients. Toss to coat and bake for 35 minutes or so, until the taters are fork tender and nicely browned.

Sauteed Green Beans with Nutmeg
Serves 12

12 handfuls of green beans
2 tablespoons of butter (I use unsalted)
1 splash of olive oil
generous dash of nutmeg (or you can grate it fresh-I have a grater and it’s awesome!)
salt and pepper to taste

When you go to the grocery store, count out by the handful, how many beans you will need. Give each adult one handful, and count one handful per two small children. Yes, use your hands, grab a handful of beans, plop it into a plastic bag and consider it a serving.

I know…that doesn’t give you pounds. Well, it’s the best way I know to give you a good idea of what to buy. Who cares if there isn’t a weight? (it’s probably close to 2 and a half pounds anyway, if you’re cooking for 12).

Here’s what you do with those beans:

Wash beans and string them (pull the string starting at the stem and pull to the bottom). Then snap them in half (or cut them or leave them whole if they’re thin and small). Steam them in a veggie steamer or boil them in a skillet half full of water. When they turn bright green, they’re finished. (they will still be a little undercooked). Strain them and set aside.

In a skillet, heat the butter and oil over a medium high heat and add the well-drained beans. Add the salt and pepper to taste and saute` them for about 2 to three minutes. Add a touch of nutmeg and saute` another minute or so. Beans should be tender, but not mushy.

Rolls and Butter

BUY the rolls! Buy the rolls from a good bakery or the frozen dough kind are good. Make sure they’re of a good quality. And BUTTER, not margarine.

Pumpkin Cheesecake
Serves 12

1 1/4 cups gingersnap cookie crumbs (crush about 20 cookies in a plastic bag with a rolling pin)
1/4 cup unsalted butter — melted
3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese — softened
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 (16 ounce) can pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie filling)
4 eggs
3/4 cup chilled whipping cream (need to whip it with 2 teaspoons sugar and a teaspoon of vanilla)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

In a large mixing bowl, mix the cookie crumbs and butter. Press evenly on the bottom of a 9″ spring form pan inches. Bake 10 minutes, then let cool.

Reduce oven temp. to 300 degrees.

In another large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, the cinnamon and ginger on medium speed until smooth. Add pumpkin puree. Now add in the eggs, one at a time on low speed. Pour into the cookie crumb pie shell.

Bake your cheesecake until center is firm, about 1 1/4 hours. Cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours. (but in your case, you did it two days prior at least)

To loosen cheesecake from the sides of the pan, unbuckle the side and carefully remove. Serve a dollop of whip cream on the cheesecake.

This recipe is to die for!

Thanksgiving Menu Mailer Timeline

FlyLady here; This timeline goes along with preparing the whole meal. Mine on the website is just for the few things I was putting together since I am having a pot luck meal. It was so funny and this is how in tune Leanne and I are to your needs and to each other. She was already working on this when I sent you past the website for my timeline. Hers is really good.

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Dear Friends,

I have also put together a timeline of sorts to get you ready for Thanksgiving. Whether this is your first Thanksgiving as host or you’re done it for 25 years in your home, take a look at this list to see if you can garner a hint or two to help you make this holiday the smoothest one ever. It’s important to read it through to get a grasp of how things are going to go. Don’t save the reading part for Thanksgiving Day!

Love, Leanne

THANKSGIVING TIMELINE

Remember: this is a holiday for EVERYONE, including the cook.

Two Weeks to Ten Days Ahead:

Order your turkey if you’re doing a fresh one. How much turkey will you need? About 1 pound per adult and a half pound per child so if you are having 10 adults and 10 children, you will need at least a 15 pound turkey. That will give you what you need, but no leftovers. My philosophy is buy a big one and enjoy the leftovers!

Firm up your guest list. Call and confirm as necessary.

If you are using my Thanksgiving Menu-Mailer, the shopping list is done for you. Go through it, double check what you already have and head for the market. Yes, buy EVERYTHING now, except the green beans, celery and parsley (and obviously, the fresh turkey if you ordered one). The only other exception would be the dinner rolls if you’re getting them from a bakery fresh. When you buy the cranberries, put them right into the freezer, in the bag they came in or wait and buy them when you get the green beans, etc. Your choice, but I buy them now because I’ve had a problem getting them (they’ve been out) when it’s closer to T-day. Same goes with heavy cream for whipping cream.

When you go shopping, make it easy on yourself. If at all possible, go shopping during off hours, without children and not hungry, or having to go the potty! I am serious…you have work to do there, girl!

Plan the table-are you using linens? Do they need pressing? Press them now and hang them or fold them for later. Nothing is worse than starching a tablecloth an hour before your guests are due to arrive (ask me how I know this!). What about the centerpiece and other decor? See the Thanksgiving Menu-Mailer to see some hints on easy, inexpensive yet beautiful, décor.

Double check your serving pieces and serving utensils against your menu. Do you have all the serving pieces you need, etc.? Make arrangements now to get or borrow what you need. DON’T do it the day of! If your great aunt forgets to bring her gravy boat and ladle, you’re up a creek without a paddle (or a ladle in this case).

One Week Ahead:

If you have shopped already (and you should have if you’re using my Thanksgiving Menu-Mailer), make a quick double check of your list and menu to make sure everything is ready for you to use. Take a hint from Santa and make your list and check it twice. This is not the time to forget anything! If you’re using my recipes and grocery list, the whole thing is already done for you so you can skip this step and go have a cup of tea instead (isn’t this fun?).

Clean out your refrigerator. Be ruthless. You’re going to need the room! You may also want to haul out the big cooler from the garage and clean it out to use on T-Day, if you’re desperate for space. Ask one of your guests to bring ice-you won’t have room in your poor beleaguered fridge.

Three Days Ahead:

Pull all the pieces you are going to use for serving. It is helpful to write what is going to go in what and write it on a 3 x 5 card and toss the card in the serving piece. A friend and mentor, Carolyn Dunn, from my early-married days taught me this nifty trick and it’s save my biscuits more than once. Then, you can stack your bowls, platters and other serving pieces together in one area with the cards already in them. Inevitably, on the big day, you will have all kinds of volunteers in the kitchen just before the time you’re ready to serve. Having those cards in place at that time will truly save your sanity while you’re trying to finish up the gravy and get the bird carved and you can keep the discussion about what goes in where to a minimum because the guesswork is gone.

To keep your serving pieces dust free, cover with a clean sheet folded in half. FlyLady even sets her table all the way a few days ahead and puts a sheet right over the top. When I had a dining room, I did the same thing, but now I only have the one table and I need to use it everyday. So use whichever method works for you-still get your serving pieces ready.

Purchase any last minute/fresh items like the ones mentioned above.

Don’t forget– thaw your frozen bird starting today! See Turkey 101 included in the Thanksgiving Menu-Mailer for more info on thawing a turkey.

Two Days Before:

From the Thanksgiving Menu-Mailer, make the Pumpkin Cheesecake. When it has completely cooled, cover in plastic wrap and place in the fridge.

Make Orange Cranberry Sauce. Completely cool before refrigerating.

The Day Before:

If you ordered a fresh turkey, today’s the day to pick it up.

Chop everything and individually bag it up in zipper-topped, plastic bags: onions and celery for the dressing, veggies for side dishes, etc. Refrigerate after prepping. Don’t do the potatoes or sweet potatoes though: they’ll discolor.

Set the table and cover it with a sheet to keep the dust out.

Go over your plan for T Day and make sure your ducks (turkeys?) are in a row. Double check everything-your serving pieces, your menu, your guest list-the whole enchilada. Determine the time your turkey should go in the oven based on when you want dinner served (don’t forget to include your turkey’s “rest time”!). Cut and paste tomorrow’s T Day list and put the time these things need to be accomplished. Having that list handy will clear your brain so you can be pleasant with your guests!

Go to bed early! Tomorrow’s a big day.

T Day Countdown:

In the morning: First get up and get dressed to lace up shoes(good support shoes)FlyLady says just do it! Fix your hair and face too. You may not have another chance. Put on a festive apron.

Prepare Muzzie’s Fabulous Stuffing (in the Thanksgiving Menu-Mailer).

Put your bird in the oven at the appropriate time based on the Chart for Cooking Your Bird that was included in the Thanksgiving Menu- Mailer and what time you want to serve dinner. Remember, you need to add an hour to that time because the bird needs to rest an hour out of the oven before serving. Should you get out of control at any point, call the Butterball turkey hotline, 1-800-BUTTERBALL.

Make the stock for the gravy (included in the Pan Gravy recipe).

Wash, peel and chunk potatoes for mashed potatoes for Old Fashioned Mashed Potatoes. Place in a pot with cold water. Set aside, not on the stove or the pot will become warm and the potatoes will begin to cook-they need to stay cool.

Prepare Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Onions (in the Thanksgiving Menu-Mailer) to go in the oven; set aside.

Put the butter, salt and pepper (if not already there) on the table. Consider two butters and two sets of salt and peppers on either end.

Remember, clean as you go-it’s so much EASIER! Keep a sink full of hot soapy water and dump stuff in there as you go. Run the dishwasher and empty it after this little blitz.

Take a timeout and put your feet up for a bit. Double check the bathrooms for clean guest towels, hand soap and extra toilet paper before you sit down.

One Hour Before:

At this point, your turkey should be finished roasting and resting comfortably. Don’t forget to give him his foil jacket so he doesn’t get cold. You still have a lot to do, if someone volunteers to help, let them help!

Cook the Old Fashioned Mashed potatoes (see recipe) and place in a crockpot on low (I strongly urge you to test drive this first to make sure your crockpot will not run too hot for this task).

Cook Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Onions (see recipe) and Muzzie’s Stuffing. Keep warm after cooking.

Cook Sauteed Green Beans with Nutmeg (see recipe). Keep warm after cooking.

Carve the turkey. See http://www.cooks.com/rec/story/69/ for an illustration on how to carve. Copy this page for a reference. I recommend the FIRST carving technique and not the second one.

Make the Pan Gravy (see recipe).

Heat the rolls.

Put cranberries in the serving dish with utensil and on the table or buffet.

Whip the cream (or do it later…that’s what I do)

Set the coffeemaker up so all you have to do is flick the switch.

Time to Eat!

Start getting everything in its serving dish: turkey on the platter with serving utensil, rolls in the basket (or baskets) with the napkin to keep them warm, green beans, sweet potatoes, gravy in its boat, stuffing or dressing, and of course, the mashed potatoes.

You’ve earned your kudos! Take the compliments, enjoy your family and friends, and most importantly, give thanks.

Click here for Thanksgiving Menu Mailer Part 2

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