Is it ever too early to start thinking about Thanksgiving?
I say no. This year, with a little advance planning, your Thanksgiving can be stress-free.
This week is not too early to start!
Go ahead and write out your guest list, menu, and even shopping list!
You can also get ahead on some of the cooking.
What to make in advance? I turned to Bradford Williams of Curbside Casserole for the scoop. “Many items freeze well. Cornbread dressing, sweet potatoes, squash casserole, butterbeans, peas, macaroni and cheese, …” And the list just goes on and on.
Next week?
Do your shopping for all non-perishables. The grocery is always a zoo the week of Thanksgiving, so if you only need to buy fresh produce and breads that week, your shopping will be so much less of a hassle.
Also, make sure you have enough pots, pans, and baking dishes to make everything on your menu.
The weekend before Thanksgiving …
Go ahead and set your table. Polish your silver, iron napkins, set-out name cards, even set up the buffet table with serving platters.
And put any frozen dishes in the fridge to thaw. “When you are pulling your items out of the freezer to thaw, it takes about two days for it to completely thaw and you don’t want it to be frozen when you put it in the oven because it will take twice as long for you to bake it.”
One last … but great piece of advice. “I would suggest that you make what your family loves. And then, after you have worked so hard doing that, go find some prepared foods that will make your meal so much easier and time-wise for you.”
This is Jennifer Chandler with The Weekly Dish. Happy Thanksgiving!
Curbside Casseroles offers casseroles and dishes to help round out your Thanksgiving menu. Visit http://www.curbsidecasseroles.com/ for information.
