Hassel Free Thanksgiving
Tuesday, Nov 17, 2009
Hints for a Hassle Free Holiday Meal
Thanksgiving cooking segment with Carlyn Berghoff Do you want to host the Thanksgiving of everyone’s dreams, but without the stress? Seems like an impossible request, but it’s really not as hard as some might think. All it takes is a little preparation and forethought, and then when turkey day comes….it’s a breeze. Owner and operator of the restaurant,the Berghoff , Carlyn Berghoff, can give you pointers and tips and how to achieve that perfect, stress-free Thanksgiving. She can even provide a great stress-free menu that the whole family will enjoy. Here are some of Carlyn’s Turkey Day tips.
November 1 - Create your invite list and begin your Turkey Day guest count. If you decide that you would like guests to bring dishes, let them know what you are looking for and how much to make.
- Plan your menu. Decide if you are doing a sit down dinner or buffet-style. This is also the time to test out any new recipes.
- Determine if you will order fresh turkey or purchase frozen
Week of November 5 - Take inventory of all of your supplies – tables, chairs, linens, china, silver, glass wear, etc. Decide if you have enough for all of your guests, and make a shopping list of all of the things you need. This will give you plenty of time to stock up, should you need it.
- Begin thinking about wear you will put coats, the bar/beverage station, extra tables, etc. By deciding this now, you will prevent last minute scrambling.
- Create a shopping list based upon you inventories of what you need
- Purchase hostess gift for holiday season. Know hostess
Week of November 12th - Lay out all of your recipes and compile your grocery list. Also start to plan/ think about what you want to do with your leftovers, whether is store them in Tupperware containers or make different recipes out of your leftovers.
- Brainstorm what about you would like the centerpiece of the table to be…..plan to buy one or create one yourself
Week of November 19th - Defrost your turkey (this takes a while in order to do it correctly)
- Buy the items that you need fresh
- Clean and decorate the house as close to the day as you possibly can prepare food that can be done ahead of time
- Make a schedule for the day of …especially the items that need to be in the oven (plan on the turkey taking up the most time)
Thanksgiving Day - Lay out your clothes and take a shower and get ready for all the family fun
- Find a family to be the photographer for the day
- Have fun and enjoy the great food!!