Gobble Gobble Turkey Time

So next week is Thanksgiving. Stressed? Don’t be.

I have a few things that help me get through the preparation and cooking.

Every year I lend a major helping hand. I mean kind of expected right? :)  

Over the years, before I become a professional chef, my mom and I would get a game plan together on what we needed to get done. Each year we got better… each year we did more and more ahead of time. We even got more and more organized.

Veggie plate for munching on

These are some of my tips on what helps us on Thanksgiving so we aren’t running around like chickens with our heads cut off.

First thing… Get a game plan together.

If you have a large crowd coming, you want to spend time with them (well in doses). You also want to make sure you have enough to feed everybody. Pull the recipes that you want to prepare, make the first round grocery list of non-perishable items and then the second round list of the items that are perishable items. So when family and friends start showing up, you will having everything in order and you can float in and out of the kitchen (if not everybody is hanging out in there) and mingle stress free.

I always have a soup or 2 for those that would want something warm 

Getting a game plane together, knowing when you need to go to the store, and what for really helps keep things (and you) calm. Make lists of what you’re cooking, and have a reminder of when you need to pull out your turkey to FULLY thaw out for proper cooking. Large crowds are fun to have but can cause stress. Planning is the number one key to keep you head together.

Getting things in order for a recipe 

Second thing… make a timeline.

I know what your probably thinking… isn’t this the same thing as a game plan? Yes and no.

Making a timeline does fall into getting a game plan together but a the timeline helps break down each day and helps you keep track of what all you have going on.

I make a timeline so that I know when the latest time I can put something in the oven and I know what is going on when and how long it will be in the oven. Timing is everything in a kitchen both professionally and at home. As you can imagine with a lot going on, I have multiple timers ticking away with notes on them of what the timer is for… organized hectic home kitchen. Having something in the oven or on the stove a minute or two too long and lead to drying out or burning. Those two things can just put a wrench in your day.

Third thing… do as much ahead of time as you can.

I can’t stress this point enough. I prepare a lot of dishes ahead of time. This takes a lot of stress off my plate. Casseroles and my family’s chicken and dressing are items I prepare up to the point that they just have to go into the oven.  

For instance, I look at the recipes and look and see what the ingredients are and get all my mise en place (which means everything in its place) together. I get everything chopped, diced and minced up that I need. Separate everything out for the recipes and get dishes together to the “ready for the oven” point. Plastic wrap it and put it in the fridge. 

I make all my desserts ahead of time. I get them out of the way because they can go into the fridge and the only thing you have to worry about is people eating them before the day. You can usually bake a few different holiday pies at one time since they are all usually baked at the same temp (and they don't take up that much room in the oven). 

Gobble gobble Turkey is ready!

Fourth and final thing… don’t be afraid to ask for help!

I can’t stress this point enough. You and everybody else will be a lot happier and you can enjoy the holiday much more. Divvy up the duties among your helpers and keep calm. Relinquish some of the control if you have control issues. You can’t do it all. If people offer to help… let them, and don’t be afraid to ask for it. Nobody will think any less of you.    

It is the time of year for being around family and friends and to be thankful what you have. Enjoy it. Things aren’t always perfect. The imperfections over the holidays always make for stories for the years to come.  

Hope this helps out with any stress you might be feeling with Thanksgiving coming up. Remember it is about celebrating what we are thankful for and spending time with loved ones. Happy Eating!!