Okay, first, take a deep breath.
(Including a worst-case scenario plan.)
Your complete game plan is right here laid out for you.
This isnt any old dinner party eitherthis isThanksgivingwere talking about where every dish is steeped in tradition and memories.
The poll can also help narrow down what it’s possible for you to skip cooking.
If nobody mentioned mashed potatoes or if only one person listed creamed onions, skip it!
Institute of Culinary Education graduate and chef
People oftenwantto share a dish they like with others, Cheatham says.
Cheatham says you do also want to be mindful of what dietary restrictions someone has.
after you grab your rough list, its time to find some recipes.
2.Vegan gravy recipes.Here are seven takes on gravy that only take a few minutes to make.
3.20 Thanksgiving salad recipes.Salad is the Thanksgiving food no onethinksthey want, but will ultimately be grateful for.
All the ones on this list are creative and festive.
4.Cauliflower side dishes.The cruciferous veg really is a chameleon.
Here are eight different ways to work it into your holiday meal.
Heres how they did it.
Institute of Culinary Education graduate and chef
7.Thanksgiving pie recipes.Pumpkin, pecan…the recipes are all here.
Plus, check out the video below for a gluten-free twist on a fall favorite, sweet potato pie.
If youre buying a turkey, Balitewicz recommends buying a bird thats 1/2 to 2 pounds per person.
(If youre a big leftovers person, factor that in too.)
It depends on how much room is in your refrigerator, she says.
Just remember that a frozen turkey needs to thaw in the fridge for 24 hours for every 5 pounds.
So if you have a big turkey, that can take several days, she says.
Okay, menu planning and shopping done?
Now youre ready to get cooking.
Balitewicz says one common mistake people make is not giving themselves enough time to defrost and cook it.
Depending on the size,cooking the turkey takes between 2 1/2 to 6 hours.
And, remember, thatsafterits thawed.
The number one question we get at the talk line is about thawing, Balitewicz says.
The other key to making sure your turkey doesnt taste dry is to not overcook it, she says.
Cheatham also suggests cooking the stuffing and the turkey separately.
People tend to overcook the turkey because theyre waiting for the stuffing to finish being cooked, she says.
As for other dishes on your menu, dont pressure yourself to cookeverythingon the day of Thanksgiving.
Mac-and-cheese, green bean casserole, stuffing…it can all be made in advance.
One food shedoesntrecommend making in advance is mashed potatoes.
Thats one side, she says, thats best served straight off of the stovetop.
Maybe you completely forgot to thaw the turkey, for example.
If the turkey failed, she recommends searing a steak.
Youre done in 10 minutes and Thanksgiving is saved.
Cheatham says she turns sweet potato wedges as an easy dinner-saver.
When theyre done cooking, add a little honey or maple syrup on them.
Its seasonal and a really easy win.
And dont be shy about asking for help if and when you need it.
More often than not, your guests want to be part of prepping the meal.
Swap Thanksgiving cooking war stories inWell+Goods Cook With Us Facebook group.
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