Planning For Thankgiving
Cranberry Tart
A plan for bringing your friends and family together at the table and the do-ahead recipes and techniques for getting whatever done that will ease the stress. Bringing many people together around the table can be stressful.
Here are some do-ahead recipes that can make the day less hectic. All the recipes below are on one easy link here.
Make cooked cranberry sauce and raw relish, both with the puree of date as sweetener (because no one will know) and then freeze. Can be made 3 weeks ahead.
Make two pie crusts––one of macadamia nuts and coconut oil and one with pecans and coconut oil.
Cook pumpkins and make pumpkin puree.
Make date puree or syrup or buy the store-bought.
Peel a few heads of garlic, cook them slowly (very low heat) in extra virgin olive oil, and store them in a jar in the fridge to use with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or whatever needs a little more flavor.
Make 2–5 quarts of rich chicken stock for gravy, vegetables, or turkey soup, or the future, and freeze.
Make the dry ingredients for a brine.
Things to do in the weeks prior
Consider the table setting: assigned seating? Rocks with names?
Get special things for little ones, and for the bigger kids, too: tattoos, markers, special tea cups, etc.? Also need booster seats or a highchair (ask neighbors and friends).
Iron napkins
Iron table runner
Find little pumpkins
Find beeswax votives and tapers
Find storage containers (glass and Pyrex preferred) for leftovers
Decide where to set up drinks––out of the way of the kitchen
Make or get ice
Order CO2 cartridges for water machine or plan for water service/ pitchers or bottles
Check salt and pepper grinders and/or dishes
Find cheesecloth for basting the bird to keep it moist
Find gravy boats and ladles
Buy wine, flavored seltzer, etc.
Find baster, thermometer
Sharpen knives
Find pans for turkey
Keep a list of who is bringing what
Create a timeline for the day for dinner, walk, dessert, puzzles for all ages, a few games to offer
Create a timeline now; for example:
Several weeks before: Prepare pie dough, cranberry relish and sauce, make brine. Polish silverware, locate serving pieces.
The week before: Make lists and shop.
Three days to go: Start vegetable prep and make dips, and dressings.
Clean out the fridge, thaw the turkey, and prepare the brine.
The day before: Set up the bar area with drinks and glasses, all ready except the ice. Prep and set the table. Brine the bird. Make a new list, include a walk early in the day.
Day of: Meditate and breathe and find ways to make each person feel special.