I can't believe it is Friday already! Where has this week gone? Since the days seem to be turning faster than I can count, I decided that I better get busy planning our Thanksgiving week. This morning I got up early and sat down with a cup of coffee, notebook, and a pen. About a month ago, I had a brainstorm session concerning the meals for the Thanksgiving week. We always host my out of town family for Thanksgiving. They will be staying at cabins in our area, but our house is the gathering place. We all eat together here and it is always fun.
I needed to tweak my menu for the week. Since I had already thought out meals, all I had to do was to settle on the final plan. After making my final menu, I then took some time to look at all the items that could be made in advance. I made a "To Do" for each day from now until Thanksgiving. This way I know exactly what needs to be done each day in order to have my ducks in a row. I also made my cooking plan for Thanksgiving day. It helps if I think through my cooking day before it gets here. I know that I will get up at 4:00 a.m. and bake the pies. I could bake the pies the day before, but I really like them better if they are baked on the day that we are going to eat them. Just my preference, and I don't mind to make that extra effort. Around 5:00 a.m., the first turkey will go in the oven. I will then do prep work for the vegetables. I have everything written out so it is pretty much a "no brainer" for the big event.
I needed to tweak my menu for the week. Since I had already thought out meals, all I had to do was to settle on the final plan. After making my final menu, I then took some time to look at all the items that could be made in advance. I made a "To Do" for each day from now until Thanksgiving. This way I know exactly what needs to be done each day in order to have my ducks in a row. I also made my cooking plan for Thanksgiving day. It helps if I think through my cooking day before it gets here. I know that I will get up at 4:00 a.m. and bake the pies. I could bake the pies the day before, but I really like them better if they are baked on the day that we are going to eat them. Just my preference, and I don't mind to make that extra effort. Around 5:00 a.m., the first turkey will go in the oven. I will then do prep work for the vegetables. I have everything written out so it is pretty much a "no brainer" for the big event.
I always do a cooking plan whenever I am hosting a big meal. I have always done one for every Thanksgiving that I have ever cooked. I started this when I was 19. The thought of cooking such a large meal overwhelmed me, but I wanted our first Thanksgiving to be special. I started writing out my plan and I felt a lot better about the whole thing. How about you? Are you a planner or a fly by the seat of your pants kind of cook?
grace and peace,
julie
6 comments:
Something my sister taught me years ago, was to cook the turkey the day before T-giving, slice meat & place onto cookie sheet with meat juice poured over top of meat to keep moist, cover, reheat in oven on the big day. Now, I know you don't get to have that big grand entrance with the bird, etc., but for Mom's that have many little children or whatever, it is a lifesaver!
Darleen
Michael did tell you to plan on 8 extra, right?
Yes, I've always made a plan, just like yours. That's half the fun.
Your kitchen looks great!
~Faith
I make a plan and post the time each thing needs to go in the oven and for how long, on the fridge. That way in the midst of enjoying the day, nothing gets forgotten, overlooked, or burnt!
The *best* thing I ever did for holidays, was to convince my husband he should fry the turkey. The are awesome, takes about 20 minutes (so even doing two is fairly easy!) It frees up oven space, and keeps the "menfolk" outside, which means I actually have deviled eggs left to put on the dinner table. :)
~ Jackie
DEFINITELY a planner....100%, bona fide, no doubt about it, I am a PLANNER. More than anything else in my life, haha.
I don't think I'd manage to get up at 4am to cook, though, haha. I remember one year I decided to cook the entire Thanksgiving dinner myself--I definitely had it planned out to a "t"!
Sounds yummy! Hope you all have a wonderful holiday!
Darleen,
That is a great idea!!! Thanks so much for sharing that with me. I will probably do that this year.
Rich,
We do need to have a big shindig at our home. Maybe after Thanksgiving we could all get together and have a large bonfire and cookout. If that doesn't work for you, just come on for Thanksgiving dinner!!! Tell every one we said "hi"!
Jackie,
Michael said he wanted to fry some turkey this year. I was unsure about that, but now that you shared all the positives with me I wish I would have agreed. Thanks for the great idea. I too post my cooking plan on the fridge. It helps keep me on track when things get hectic.
Paige,
I KNOW you are a planner that is why you are so good at everything you do. I miss you. Did Joel join the military. I need to call your mom and have a long Sunday chat!!! Tell her I said "hello"
grace and peace,
julie
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