Day 2~Last Minute Thanksgiving Preparations
This is it folks! The final few days to get your preparations complete before the big turkey day! Are you ready? Here are some great tips for you for the final days of Thanksgiving.
November 25: The Day Before
• Check your last list.
• Buy last-minute perishables.
• Pick up food ordered ahead of time.
• If using giblets in the gravy, simmer them with the neck until well cooked; cool and
refrigerate.
• Consult your food preparation schedule.
• If brining the turkey, prepare brine and soak turkey in refrigerator overnight. (If you don’t have room in your refrigerator, use a cooler and a bag of ice. Works just the same!)
• Bake pies or other desserts.
• Set the table and lay out all linens and serving dishes.
November 26: The Big Day
• Preheat the oven to 325°F.
• Wash turkey inside and out; dry thoroughly. Do not let it set at room temperature
for more than one hour before cooking.
• If stuffing the turkey, do so just before putting it in the oven. (Check to make sure
you removed the giblets!) Place the turkey in the oven and start your timer. Put
any remaining stuffing in a buttered casserole or baking dish; cover and
refrigerate.
• Consult your food preparation schedule. Cook any recipes that can be done
completely or partially ahead, such as potatoes (mash when ready to serve, not
beforehand) and other vegetables that can be reheated for serving.
• Put the extra stuffing in the oven during the turkey’s last hour of cooking.
• Prepare any other foods that need last-minute attention.
• When the turkey reaches 180°F, remove it from the oven, let it rest and get ready
for the most hectic 20 minutes of a cook’s year!
I hope that our Thanksgiving countdown has been a blessing to you! On Wednesday, we will share some of the great Black Friday deals going around. I *think* we might just have a great deal for you as well!
This has been great! Thanks for taking the time to do it.
I hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving!!