Have a Stress-Free Thanksgiving

First things first:

1. Confirm you guest list, and any weekend house guests
2. Determine what recipes you are going to bemaking. Some important things to consider, or remember: Do your dishes gowell together, flavor-wise?  What dishes can be prepared ahead?
3. Can you cook all the dishes in your stove/oven? Run through thecooking process, noting when things are on the stove, or in the oven (and atcwhat temperature), and that you have space for it all.
4. Once your menu has been finalized, determine what can be made inthe few days before Thanksgiving to save time, such as pies, casseroles, stuffing,even peeling the potatoes and leaving them to soak in a water bath.
5. Next create a timeline/checklist for the day of Thanksgiving: whenthe turkey needs to go into the oven,the side dishes that still have to be made, and which ones that have been madeahead which need to be heated. The end goal of all the food being ready toserve, at the proper temperatures, at the same time.
6. Consider the beverages you will serve. Will you offer a fullystocked bar, or simply just soft drinks, beer, and wines. Make sure you haveenough liquor, water, and mixers for the number of guests you’re expecting, andhave the proper utensils and ingredients – don’t forget cocktail napkins,lemons and limes!

2 weeks before:

1. With your menu, go through your serving dishes and utensils. Marrytogether each recipe with the dish you want to serve it in and the utensil itwill be served with, labeling each set with a post-it. Do the same with yourcooking utensils, making sure you have a turkey baster and kitchen twine, andcheck to make sure you have enough containers/tin foil for storing leftovers. 
   1. Consider your centerpieces and décor. Determine how you want toset each place: Dinner and salad plates? Bread and butter plates? How manypieces of flatware? Just a fork and knife, with a dessert spoon on top? Don’tforget about glassware: for water, white wine, red wine, mixed drinks, kidsdrinks.
   2. Make sure the dishware and glassware you are using is clean.Polish any silver that you may be using.
   3. For centerpieces, think about where you want to put candles, andwhat kind. Remember to never leave lit candles unattended!
   4. Make sure you have linens for the table(s) – not just the diningtable, but bar table(s), serving table(s), or tables of appetizers, whateveryou are using — and that they are clean and pressed. If not, you shouldarrange that now.
   5. Write up a shopping list based on your menu. Create a Grocery listdivided by department such as produce, dairy, spices, storage containers, kitchen tools, etc. Then have shopping listsfor any other errands you may have e.g. Liquor store. This will help to makeyour shopping trip less chaotic and overwhelm in
   6. Write up a shopping list based on your menu. Create a Grocery list divided by department such as produce, dairy, spices, storage containers, kitchen tools, etc. Then have shopping lists for any other errands you may have e.g. Liquor store. This will help to make your shopping trip less chaotic and overwhelming.

The week before:

1. Remind your guests that you’re looking forward to sharingThanksgiving with them, and confirm when they will be arriving.
2. Prepare! Is your bathroom organized and stocked? Do you have roomin the freezer for extra ice needed for drinks? Clear out the refrigerator tomake room for dishes. Straighten up around the house.
3. Check your lists and what you have in your pantry. Do you havecocktail napkins, toothpicks, paper towels? Coffee, tea, milk and sugar toserve with dessert?
4. Organize your bar and chill any beverages that need to be cold.

The Week of Thanksgiving

Monday and Tuesday:

1. Begin defrosting your turkey if it is frozen.  
2. Make your pies, cranberry sauces, and other dishes that can hold forfour days.
3. Set your table and decorate the spaces where yourguests will be.
4. Begin chopping vegetables for cooking, and slicing lemons andlimes for the bar. Are your butter dishes ready, and salt and pepper shakersfull? If you are brining your turkey, you can make the brine, too.

Wednesday:

1. Continue chopping and prepping, assembling the stuffing and otherdishes that can be refrigerated overnight.
2. Do a final run through of your lists, recipes, and check your pantrymaking a final grocery run if necessary.
3. Determine when you need to get up in order to preheat the oven,and get the turkey in so it will be cooked at the proper time.
4. Get a good night’s sleep.

 Thanksgiving Day:

1. Do a final sweep of your set table and bar area, set the servingdishes in a place where they can all sit before being served, preparing acreamer and sugar for coffee and tea.
2. Prepare your appetizers.
3. Cook and enjoy the time with your family and friends!

Vargas & Vargas wishes you and yours a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving!