I'm hosting Thanksgiving this year and I want to prepare as much ahead of time so I don't wear myself out and as insurance in case I hurt that day.
Has anyone boiled the potatoes ahead of time for the mashed potatoes and left them in the fridge for a couple of days? Or made them completely and reheated a couple days later? I'll have to make the pies the day before. I'm thinking of roasting some turkey wings and making gravy ahead of time too. I always feel so flustered when I have a crowd and those last minute things have to get done. I can't talk while I'm cooking or I mess up. I just want people to leave me alone. If they ask if they can do something - it's more distracting to me to have to direct them then it would be for me to do it myself. Being a hostess is definitely not my forte.
Anybody have short cuts to offer?
I am going to put everything buffet style in the kitchen and then people can carry their plates into the dining room. I'll need two tables there so I won't have to worry about having serving dishes on 2 tables. This way most of the mess will be in the kitchen too- no carrying everything back there to put away and wash up...
I have done the potatoes the day before and reheated them in my crock pot. I think that making the gravy is a great idea and a great time saver. I also peel and prepare the veggies the day before or even 2 days before. Buffet style works beautifully for me and saves room at the table and they are responsible for refills as well. Dishes are done the day after...maybe!
LOL Hope you and yours have a great time.
[QUOTE=GG]I have done the potatoes the day before and reheated them in my crock pot. I think that making the gravy the day before is a great idea and a great time saver. I also peel and prepare the veggies the day before or even 2 days before. Buffet style works beautifully for me and saves room at the table and they are responsible for refills as well. Dishes are done the day after...maybe!
LOL Hope you and yours have a great time.
[/QUOTE]GG hope you & yours enjoy the holiday too!
My crockpot will be in use. I am making sweet potatoes and apples in it. I wonder if the mashed would reheat OK in the oven?
I have boiled the potatoes in advance to make potato salad and they were just fine. Boil a couple tonight and eat them Sun. or Mon and test it. I boil them with the skins on, store with the skins on, and then peel, but do what you want to do.
I LOVE cooking Thanksgiving dinner. I have done the potatoes a head of time like Gramma and GG both. Last year my hubby mashed potatoes. I do boil eggs and such the night before. Pies get made 2 days ahead. You could have someone bring them or buy them already made. Making the gravy ahead of time helps. I cook Tom the Turkey in a Roaster Oven, This frees up my ovens. I make green bean casserole in a crock pot. Oh gosh I need to get my shopping list out. I have shopped off the same list for years. I keep it tucked in my recipe box this way I don’t have to re-write it every year. I also love to decorate my table and turkey. I try to find new ideas and then add my own flair. I have last years thanksgiving pics up in another thread. If you need to hold the potatos for 1/2 hour or so, mash with butter only, cover and leave in a warm place. Mix in very hot milk just before serving. Or just put completed mash into low oven with a layer of cheese and scallions/something complimentary to the meal on top, for 1/2 hour while you are fixing everything else.
I LOVE cooking Thanksgiving dinner. I have done the potatoes a head of time like Gramma and GG both. Last year my hubby mashed potatoes. I do boil eggs and such the night before. Pies get made 2 days ahead. You could have someone bring them or buy them already made. Making the gravy ahead of time helps. I cook Tom the Turkey in a Roaster Oven, This frees up my ovens. I make green bean casserole in a crock pot. Oh gosh I need to get my shopping list out. I have shopped off the same list for years. I keep it tucked in my recipe box this way I don’t have to re-write it every year. I also love to decorate my table and turkey. I try to find new ideas and then add my own flair. I have last years thanksgiving pics up in another thread.[/QUOTE]