The bottom line:Holiday cooking is difficultandstressful, and Im not the only one who feels this way.
Thats when we landed on it: a no-cook Thanksgiving.
We were worried that people would balk at this idea, but the family was generally pretty supportive.
Finally, the big day arrived.
And I was shocked at how much more relaxed everyone was.
People were sitting around the living room, laughing and chatting.
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The best part: Having a more streamlined menu still allowed for leftovers without requiring a ton of work.
(Everyone got to bring home an individual Tupperware filled with their favorites).
And having someone else make the turkey and the pies didnt take away from our enjoyment.
In fact, I would argue that the turkey was way better having been made by a professional!
And the pies tasted all the sweeter considering that I didnt have to deal with making the crust.
And everyone immediately committed to doing Thanksgiving this way every year.
[Elle Woods voice] We did it!
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I usually get things planned about two to three weeks ahead.
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When thinking about your menu, I approach it by asking a few questions.
First, what are must-have items that everyone wants on the table?
Its also a good idea to think about what likely reheats well.
Ask for that information before you kick off to plan; dont expect people to remember to share that.
Ideally, there should be at least one or two dishes that everyone can eat.
For my sanity, I leave certain disheslike Thanksgiving turkey or holiday piesto the pros.
They also typically include reheating instructions, which makes doing the next tip a little bit easier.
And dont forget to make use of all possible appliances if you have a lot of dishes to reheat.
In general, expect to reheat each dish at 350 F for at least 10-30 minutes each.
Ideally youd want enough to fill up two inches of the cooler.
You now have a Thermos-style container to keep cooked dishes nice and toasty before serving!
I recommend using your phone (or Alexa or other smart machine) and giving each timer a name.
Instead, give people opportunities to contribute within that framework.
The whole point of this is so that you dont spend all day in the kitchen.
Savor that and dont forget to spend time with your loved ones who are gathered.
Bust out a game!
Ask your grandma to share stories about her childhood!
And of course, dont forget to keep the wine (ornon-alc festive bevof your choice) flowing.
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