Thanksgiving menu and time table

It is a feast but you want a feast of you liking...The menu can certainly be tailored to your liking. I am hoping that by adding a time table for preparation that your meal comes off stress free.

I don't like to sit down to a meal where somethings are hot and others are luke warm. Somethings cool off faster so you want to do them at the last minute. You also don t want everything to finish cooking at once or you won't have time to dish them up with out rushing. As the cook you should enjoy the end of your labors as much as everyone else..so let's do it the easy way.


MENU


Roast Turkey ( information on roasting is already posted)


Mashed Potatoes


Gravy


Stuffing


Green beans / Corn or both


Broccoli


Veggie tray


Rolls


Pickles / Olives or both


Cranberry Sauce


All of this is subject to your personal change. I like to cook from scratch but have been known to jump to ready made when in a hurry. Don't be afraid to use pre-made items if you must. The downside to that is it usually costs more..the upside..TIME.


Before you start rushing around the kitchen..set the table. This will keep you from running back and forth and everything will be out of your way.

The following is a time line that will help you complete one task before moving to the next and allow you to serve a nice hot meal with ease.


Peel and cut up potatoes to boil for mashing. I usually allow two medium or large potatoes per person. Peel, quarter and place in cold water up to two hours before you need them. Set the pot on the stove. It's out of your way and ready to go. Approx. 1 hour before your turkey will be done..turn the heat on high..once the water starts to boil..add salt to taste and reduce heat so that water is at a med. boil.

Next, prepare your veggie tray and put the pickles or olives in their serving dishes. Cover with plastic wrap and put them in the fridge. This way all you need to do is pull them out , unwrap, and place on the table. The same with the Cranberry Sauce.

Rinse and cut the broccoli and set it aside in a bowl of cold water. Use a pot slightly larger than the amount of broccoli you are preparing...fill with about 1 inch of water..salt, lightly, an place on stove for later. The broccoli takes approximately 3 minutes to cook so you can do this at the last minute.

Note the time until the Turkey is done so that the following may be prepared to finish at approximately the same time so that it can all be served nice and warm.

Now we are going to jump ahead. The Turkey is out of the oven and covered to stay warm. Increase the oven temp. to 400 and begin the final meal preparations.

Stuffing--I do use the stuffing in a box. There are so many great flavors available. Mix it as instructed on the package but we will be placing the stuffing in the oven. It gives it a nicer texture that the "wet" stove top version. Spray a glass pie plate or 8 x 8 baking dish. If you do not have cooking spray..they butter the dish, slightly. Add the prepared stuffing mixture and pat down in the dish. Place in the oven, uncovered, for 30 to 40 minutes.

I do my corn on the stove. Corn tends to go over the bowl in the microwave and you don t really want to take the time to clean that now. Empty contents in sauce pan. Add salt, pepper and a about a teaspoon of butter. Cook of low to medium heat, until at a very low boil. Just heat to warm through. About 10 minutes.

I do my green beans in the microwave. If possible, cook them in the dish you will serve them in. It saves time and keeps the beans warmer, as they are in a hot bowl. Pour the can of beans in the bowl, salt lightly, add extra water to just cover the beans. Microwave on power 8 for 10 minutes. Remove, add pepper to taste and cover to keep warm.

Gravy--some people are afraid to make gravy. Worried it will be lumpy or not thick enough. Gravy is so simple....but if you are worried..buy a jar of it and warm it on the stove...top with a bit of pepper and serve. However, if you are brave enough to give it a try here goes. This will make approximately 1 1/2 cups of gravy. If you need more...simply increase the ingredients. To a sauce pan, add 1 cup of water and 5 tablespoons of the drippings ( in roaster) from the turkey. Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil. In a separate bowl add 1/2 cup COLD water and SLOWLY add 2 heaping tablespoons of flour. Add flour slowly mixing it with a fork or small whisk until smooth. SLOWLY pour this mixture into the hot mixture...stirring the entire time. Once the two have been blended and brought to a boil..reduce heat and let it simmer. Stir occasionally. The longer it simmers the thicker it will become. Turn to low once desired thickness has been reached. By stirring occasionally , it can remain on low until ready to serve. Use a gravy boat or a nice bowl and a small ladle.

Dinner Rolls - you can go to a bakery and buy some great ones. You can check out your grocery store from some wonderful pre-packaged and pre baked ones or you can use the Brown and Serves or any canned dinner rolls. If baking...follow instructions on package. If pre - baked and you wish to warm....Place in oven at the final 7 minutes of the baking time for the stuffing. You can lightly brush with butter to keep them from becoming too dry.

RECAP:

The table is set.

Veggie tray , pickles, olives, cranberry sauce are ready and in the fridge to be pulled out and go directly to the table.

Broccoli is cleaned and in cold water.

Turkey is out of the oven and covered.

Prepare the stuffing and place in the oven.

Start the green bean in the microwave and the corn on the stove.

Make the gravy.

Turn on the burner for the the broccoli. If it boils sooner than you need it turn it down. Place the broccoli in the boiling water 5 minutes before you want to serve. It takes a couple minutes for the water to return to a boil and 3 minutes to cook.

Place rolls in the oven.

Place the turkey on its serving platter and place in center of table.

Put a small sauce pan the stove and heat 1/3 cup of milk, to be used when mashing potatoes.

Drain and mash the potatoes. Using an electric mixer.**if you have cooked them in a non stick pan DO NOT MIX IN THAT PAN..YOU WILL RUIN IT...TRANSFER TO ANOTHER PAN OR THE BOWL YOU ARE SERVING THEM IN..IF IT IS DEEP.. mash them down with the beater and then turn the beaters on medium and once mixed well. slowly, pour in the hot milk...only add enough to reach your desired texture...then turn mixer on high and whip them for 1 minute.

Everything should be done now. Turn off the oven and leave the door ajar. Put the potatoes in the serving dish..run a spoon around them bringing them up in to a mound....make an indention in the top...Place a tablespoon of butter in the indention..and sprinkle the potatoes with pepper...add serving spoon and place on your table. If you feel corn and beans are not warm enough zap them in the microwave..if they are ok...put them in serving dish you want to use..add spoons and place on table. Drain broccoli...place in serving bowl..dot with butter and place on table. Remove all your "cold" times from fridge..uncover and take to table. Remove stuffing and rolls from oven. For a nice twist you can use a small basket or bowl, lined with napkins for a container for your rolls. Pour gravy into it bowl and place on table.

Your meal is complete. Pour ice water, coffee or wine.

ENJOY!