A Thanksgiving How-to
It's the most wonderful time of the year. Or, one of the ones, anyway: Thanksgiving. In 2014, I was blessed with the opportunity to host a Thanksgiving for 3, and it was magical. Delicious food, sweet friends and a relaxed time. Just what I wanted and needed.
That inspired me to write this how-to. Tips and tricks for hosting a relaxing Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings. I don't claim to know it all, but these hints worked for me.
1. Plan ahead.
Write lists and plan menus. Not sure about your guests' Thanksgiving favorites? Ask them. Don't have enough pots? Buy them. Don't know a particular recipe? Get it. Want a particular bread? Order it ahead. The more you can do ahead of time, the better.
2. Work ahead.
Clean. The kitchen, the pantry, the house. I have cats. And they're furry. So dusting and vacuuming were a must. I also got my fall decorations out of the attic and got a few logs for the fire place. That would make things homey and welcoming.
3. Shop ahead.
You will buy things the day of, no doubt. You will always forget the one thing. But...make a list, check it twice and stock your pantry and fridge with what you think you will need a few days ahead. Better yet, send your list to a co-host for checking. Then go shopping with that co-host, and they will think of a few things you're missing, like corn starch for the gravy.
4. Limit your number of guests.
This sounds terrible, I know, but I only invited 2 people. 3 would have been my max, as that's all my table will seat. Don't know how to cook for 12? You have two choices. Make everyone bring a dish for 13, or invite fewer people. My dinner for 3 was extremely relaxing.
5. Wear comfortable clothes.
You are slaving, cooking, prepping, and eventually eating. I figured jeans would do. No sir, stretch pants were the thing. Wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty and you can change later if need be. If that upsets your friends, get new ones.
6. Clean as you go.
This is the crux of it all: run and empty the dishwasher before you start cooking, and "file" dirty dishes as you go. You will want to boil mashed potatoes in one pot, but serve them in another dish. Rinse that pot and place it on the drying rack, instead of stacking it to wash later. You lick a spoon to taste? Into the dishwasher it goes.
7. Place a cookie sheet under the pie.
This may be a no-brainer for some, but a rookie mistake for me. I took great care to prepare the lattice crust, braiding the dough, only to have my oven ruined by spill-over cherry filling. Don't be like me, place a cookie sheet underneath your pie and save your oven from scrubbing!!!
8. Take breaks.
There was a whole hour where I watched TV with my guests. I cannot recall what (football?), but I know my feet were resting. If you can prep things ahead of time and then chill and socialize, that's a wonderful thing.
9. Get help with the clean-up.
Admittedly, my least favorite part of hosting a meal is the clean-up after. I recommend getting help! My friend and I split the duties: she boxed up the leftovers (be sure to have plenty of plasticware on hand) while I rinsed dishes and stacked the dishwasher. And, because we had wisely cleaned while we went along, it really only took a few minutes to clean.
10. Enjoy!
Take pictures, smile, look out the window, laugh and sing. It's Thanksgiving, after all. We posed for photos, petted the cats and snuck a sample of the stuffing. It's all allowed at my house!
I do hope your Thanksgiving was a marvelous as mine. Many blessings,
H
That inspired me to write this how-to. Tips and tricks for hosting a relaxing Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings. I don't claim to know it all, but these hints worked for me.
1. Plan ahead.
Write lists and plan menus. Not sure about your guests' Thanksgiving favorites? Ask them. Don't have enough pots? Buy them. Don't know a particular recipe? Get it. Want a particular bread? Order it ahead. The more you can do ahead of time, the better.
2. Work ahead.
Clean. The kitchen, the pantry, the house. I have cats. And they're furry. So dusting and vacuuming were a must. I also got my fall decorations out of the attic and got a few logs for the fire place. That would make things homey and welcoming.
3. Shop ahead.
You will buy things the day of, no doubt. You will always forget the one thing. But...make a list, check it twice and stock your pantry and fridge with what you think you will need a few days ahead. Better yet, send your list to a co-host for checking. Then go shopping with that co-host, and they will think of a few things you're missing, like corn starch for the gravy.
4. Limit your number of guests.
This sounds terrible, I know, but I only invited 2 people. 3 would have been my max, as that's all my table will seat. Don't know how to cook for 12? You have two choices. Make everyone bring a dish for 13, or invite fewer people. My dinner for 3 was extremely relaxing.
5. Wear comfortable clothes.
You are slaving, cooking, prepping, and eventually eating. I figured jeans would do. No sir, stretch pants were the thing. Wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty and you can change later if need be. If that upsets your friends, get new ones.
6. Clean as you go.
This is the crux of it all: run and empty the dishwasher before you start cooking, and "file" dirty dishes as you go. You will want to boil mashed potatoes in one pot, but serve them in another dish. Rinse that pot and place it on the drying rack, instead of stacking it to wash later. You lick a spoon to taste? Into the dishwasher it goes.
7. Place a cookie sheet under the pie.
This may be a no-brainer for some, but a rookie mistake for me. I took great care to prepare the lattice crust, braiding the dough, only to have my oven ruined by spill-over cherry filling. Don't be like me, place a cookie sheet underneath your pie and save your oven from scrubbing!!!
8. Take breaks.
There was a whole hour where I watched TV with my guests. I cannot recall what (football?), but I know my feet were resting. If you can prep things ahead of time and then chill and socialize, that's a wonderful thing.
9. Get help with the clean-up.
Admittedly, my least favorite part of hosting a meal is the clean-up after. I recommend getting help! My friend and I split the duties: she boxed up the leftovers (be sure to have plenty of plasticware on hand) while I rinsed dishes and stacked the dishwasher. And, because we had wisely cleaned while we went along, it really only took a few minutes to clean.
10. Enjoy!
Take pictures, smile, look out the window, laugh and sing. It's Thanksgiving, after all. We posed for photos, petted the cats and snuck a sample of the stuffing. It's all allowed at my house!
I do hope your Thanksgiving was a marvelous as mine. Many blessings,
H
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