OT Thanksgiving short cuts | Arthritis Information

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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.

 
As far as people offering to help...
 
You can get some stuff laid out/aside ahead of time, like the pies, rolls, olives, pickles,  and whatever else you serve. When they come and ask, have them set up the buffet for you. That will help with ALOT of the running. They can get the plates, napkins, cups, silver, all ready as well. Then, as you finish up the last of the food, have them add it to the table.
 
It should save you alot of walking, and give them the chance to actually help.
 
I think the gravy from wings is a great idea.
 
Good luck and hope all goes well!
Oh... and as far as dishes, Chinette is our preferred choice!! LOL

Good Ideas Gramma but you know now that I think about it- it's kind of funny that I am thinking people will ask to help- it will be all male except for me and my daughter and she is domestically challenged!

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.

 
If anyone likes their potato salad dressed whilst warm you can also precook them them then rewarm before dressing. Helps in absorbing the lovely dressing while they are warm assuming it is oil/vinegar based as opposed to mayo based. Just be aware that mayo dressings on hot/warm food must be discarded after 2 hours if not eaten.
 
Fire me questions if you have them !  
 
Lyn   
[QUOTE=wanttobeRAfree]

Good Ideas Gramma but you know now that I think about it- it's kind of funny that I am thinking people will ask to help- it will be all male except for me and my daughter and she is domestically challenged! [/QUOTE]
 
 
Um..okay. No chance ANYONE will offer to help then! 
 
[QUOTE=inflamedOnline]

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]

 
..............and as you can see in the pictures I LOVE eating thanksgiving dinner too.  of course it doesn't help to stuff my face like that the rest of the year either. ha ha ha  did y'all see my big ass arms in the pictures? argh!  THIS PLACE ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!
You can buy turkey giblets and roast along with turkey wings, onion, tomatoe season with paprika, salt and pepper mix it all together and roast, this makes a great gravy.  I usually make my gravy on Thanksgiving but this is a great idea, making it ahead of time.  I also cannot take when people bother me while I am trying to cook I just pulled a recipe from the paper for make ahead mashers that sounds very interesting -- but you can only make them on day ahead and then you reheat in the oven for about 30 minutes. my problem is will I really have the oven room that day....and will i have the refrigerator room?

If you're interested, i'll post.... I can remember off hand that it involves cream cheese and sour cream....

That repeating shopping list is a great idea! Think I'll put mine on computer.

Oh boy Lyndee- it's so good to have resident experts around!

Island woman somehow I pulled up the same day before recipe before I saw your post- thanks tho!
wanttobeRAfree2008-11-22 05:11:51The best short-cut I do is to set the table in advance, sometimes even a week before.  As soon as it's set, I put a large, washed, white sheet over everything to keep any dust, etc. from getting on the dishes.
 
As far as reheated mashed potatoes, I don't like them.  I cook the winter squash and turnip the day before and can't tell that those are reheated but the potatoes are a giveaway to me.
Good idea Deb! I'm going with buffet style this year but I'll tuck that tip away for another time.
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