Planning that Pefect Thanksgiving in 12 Easy Steps
Thanksgiving may still be a few weeks away but if it’s your turn to host the crowd this year, you are probably busy planning the perfect, most scrumptious turkey dinner. From place settings to divine drinks, one renowned catering company shares their secrets that will make this Thanksgiving one to remember.
The Feast
• Remember it is important to consider the capacity of your oven and stove when you start to plan your menu.
• Get creative with your serving dishes! Use hollowed out bread loaves, gourds, or even pumpkins to house soups, olives, cheese, and other finger foods.
• If you’re expecting a packed house, make sure to have at least one vegetarian meal to cater to guests who prefer not to eat the turkey or have special dietary restrictions.
• Serve the traditional Thanksgiving dishes but with a twist – think glazed squash, sausage stuffing, sautéed apples, and mashed sweet potatoes.
• The night before the big dinner, soak the turkey overnight in a brine solution which will keep the turkey moist while roasting.
• To add extra flavor to the gravy, use the liquid at the bottom of the roasting pan of the turkey instead of all water.
Drinks
• If you prefer red wines, a Pinot Noir is a perfect match for the turkey meal. Or try Chardonnay if you prefer white wine.
• Serve festive non-alcoholic drinks for guests who prefer not to drink and the kids. Try wassail, eggnog, or even spiced apple cider, to officially kick off the holiday season!
• If you’re already feeling overwhelmed, it might be good to assign guests to bring drinks. This way, you’ll be a little less stressed and you’ll likely end up with more of a variety to choose from.
Decorations
• To give your table that polished, sesonal look, make place cards to make your guests feel more at home. Attach name cards to mini pumpkins, pears, acorns, pincones, or maple leaves.
• For easy and inexpensive centerpieces, use candles, gourds, seasonal fruit (such as apples, pomegranates, or pears), or even branches from your very own backyard.
• Consider giving the kids a simple craft or project to keep them entertained. Print out turkeys they can color or fun Thanksgiving trivia questions they can quiz each other on.
