Holiday Planning Guide

Plan on spending your time with the family! Sometimes the holiday season is the only time of year that large families get together. Make sure you are able to enjoy this time to chat. For an elegant meal and lots of family time on the holiday, you need to plan for it at least one month in advance. This helps save you time and stops the hectic last-minute rushing to get foods done in time for the family table.

Will you be having the traditional turkey and dressing? Some families change their main dish occasionally, and others serve two or three types of meats at the meal, depending on the number of guests and personal preferences. If you decide that you need a large turkey, you may have to order or reserve one early at the supermarket. The big birds sell first and if you buy a frozen one, you have to leave plenty of time for the turkey to thaw completely in the refrigerator. Plan to allow about one day for every four pounds the turkey weighs. If you find yourself in a crunch for time you can thaw it quickly, do so by putting the turkey in cold water, breast up. You can also use a combination of these methods by putting the submerged bird in the water bath while you are at home and in the refrigerator while you are at work. Just make sure that your turkey is thawed before you need to cook it.

Listed at the right is a handy timetable for a hassle-free holiday.

Once you have your plan, start a folder that contains your monthly and weekly schedules. Also list your menu with notations on when you will prepare certain items, so you can check them off. Don't forget to list foods that family and friends are bringing in. Also place in there all the the recipes you plan to make. This is an easy reference tool that you will use again and again prior to the big day.

Don't feel like you have to do it all! Feel free to divvy out some of those recipes to other people who will be attending. Desserts can always be a good carry-in dish since they can be prepared ahead of time and don't always need to be reheated before serving. It also gives everyone a chance to contribute to the holiday meal.

Three to Four weeks before:

• Make a guest list and decide on the size of the turkey needed. Allow 1 ½ lbs per person if you are cooking a whole turkey
• Make a grocery list and keep it handy since most of what you will need will be on sale at sometime during the month
• Make the cornbread and biscuits for dressing up to 3 weeks in advance and freeze it in airtight freezer bag

Two weeks before:

• Decide how you will cook the turkey
• Clean and cook fresh vegetables. Store in airtight container or freezer bag
• Check to make sure that you have the serving dishes and utensils you need on hand
• Purchase turkey and determine how many days that you will need for it to thaw

One week before:

• Clean out refrigerator clearing out as much space as possible
• Place turkey in the refrigerator in shallow pan to thaw
• Complete grocery shopping
• Assemble side dishes. Cover and freeze to be cooked later
• Make sure to have multiple working timers
• Make home made noodles

Two to three days before:

• Check thawing progress of turkey
• Assemble salads
• Place frozen prepared sides in refrigerator to thaw
• Prep remaining ingredients for dressing
• Prepare desserts

One day before:

• Prep turkey for cooking- remove giblets and neck from turkey cavity
• Cook giblets if serving giblet gravy
• Set table. Cover with plastic drop cloth
• Assemble dressing
• prepare quick breads

Thanksgiving Day:

• Prepare dressing to cook in casserole or inside turkey
• Cook turkey, making sure it is done 30 minutes before you are ready to serve. (it will be easier to slice if it has rested)
• Bake sides, sweet potatoes using a timer
• Reheat greens using a timer
• Make gravy
• Set food out and enjoy
• Assign cleanup to others!!!

With these tips, good recipes and some volunteer help from your family or other guests arriving with big appetites, you are on your way to dishing up a holiday dinner that is trouble free.