Planning Your Thanksgiving Meal Can Be Fun - Fresh Dish Post from Price Chopper

Planning your Thanksgiving meal can be fun, as you pull out recipes handed down over generations, or the latest ones from Pinterest you’ve been waiting to try, with every family’s unique “must-haves” going on the list. Whether it’s Green Bean Casserole or Oyster Stuffing, you know it’s your family’s holidays if it’s on the table. So how do you make sure everything gets onto the table at the same time? Everyone loves Nana’s hot rolls, but if they’re still in the oven and the bird’s been carved up, it’s not quite the same experience. Having everything ready to dish up at the same time is something that lets you take your seat at the table and enjoy the moments of celebration and thankfulness.

Here’s a simple strategy that will help you figure out exactly what you need to do, as well as a some helpful prep hints, to make sure everything is ready to eat when you are ready to gather everyone at the table:

1. Make a list of all the dishes you plan to serve. Even if it is as simple as opening a can of olives and putting them into a bowl, write it down. Group them by “Appetizer”, “Main Meal” and “Desserts.”
2. Figure out which recipes can be made ahead of time, so your energy on Thanksgiving Day can focus on what needs to still be cooked – doing this can also give you some extra time with your guests!
3. Write down exactly how much “Oven Time” each item will require. If something can be microwaved, note that as well. Remember to factor in resting times if you are cooking a turkey or ham, which allows you a shorter window to refill your precious oven space with some side dishes.
4. Delegate to family or friends a dish they can also bring, timing their arrival close to meal time. One less dish to prepare or wash!
5. Take your dinner time, and using all of the amounts of time for your entrees and dishes, work backwards. It comes down to basic elementary school math – if you plan to eat at 3pm, by backing up from that end-point, you will know exactly when the casseroles need to go into the oven, the rolls can be re-warmed after the bird is out and resting, and how soon to mash those potatoes so they arrive at the table, hot and ready to serve.
6. One last helpful hint – a couple days prior, put all the serving dishes you expect to need on your table. Using index cards or notepaper, write the name of each item you plan to have/serve, and place the paper in dish. This way, you will be sure to know you have everything you need, as well as how many dishes can fit on the table once it’s set, and gives you a starting point with any of your make-ahead items.
7. Last – but not least – have fun! Every host or hostess knows the party usually ends up in the kitchen, so put those extra hands to work if you catch yourself racing around as the clock ticks by!