THANKSGIVING TIPS AND HINTS
Well folks it’s time to start thinking about Thanksgiving! If you are like me you’re thinking about all the things you need to be doing. Not going lie I called the Butterball Hot Line the other day about thawing our turkey. I was pregaming the big day!Truth be told, the writing on the back of the package is so small LOL!
So, I went to AI and Chefs that we thought might help all of us. Here some links to questions we may have- especially for first time host and hostess. Nobody wants Aunt Connie telling us the turkey is dry.
The Butterball Hot Line- The lady I spoke with was so nice and encouraging. The Kitchen is not my thing, but I felt better after the call. Turkey Talk-Line is open during November and December to answer your turkey questions. Call 1-800-BUTTERBALL or text 844-877-3456 to chat with our turkey experts. https://www.butterball.com/how-to
To have a great Thanksgiving:
Delegate tasks and plan by making a menu, prepping ingredients, and doing as much cooking as possible the day before or weeks before. On the day of, focus on creating a welcoming, stress-free atmosphere for guests by including them in activities and enjoying the moments together rather than getting caught up in a stressful rush.
Plan and delegate.
• Plan your menu early: Decide on your dishes a few weeks in advance and resist trying complex recipes for the first time.
• Delegate tasks: Ask guests to contribute dishes or handle specific parts of the meal like appetizers or desserts, to reduce your workload.
https://www.foodnetwork.com/thanksgiving/thanksgiving-sides
• Use a timeline: Create a schedule for shopping, preparing make-ahead dishes, and cooking on the day of to manage your time effectively.
• Prep ingredients: Chop vegetables, make cranberry sauce, and bake desserts like pies in the days leading up to Thanksgiving to save time on the big day.
• Prep the table: Set the table and polish silverware the day before to avoid last-minute tasks.
Prepare for a smooth day-of
• Cook ahead: Make dishes that can be prepared and stored in the fridge, like casseroles and dips, to be reheated or served later.
• Free up oven space: Bake pies and rolls the day before, and consider using a slow cooker or a second roasting oven to cook the turkey and free up your main oven.
• Have a head count: Get an accurate number of guests to avoid over or under-preparing food.
• Consider a kids’ table: Set up a dedicated area for children with activity placemats and coloring pages to keep them entertained.
• Create a snack station: Set up a snack station to keep guests happy and prevent them from being hungry before the main meal is ready.
Thawing and preparation
• Thawing: If thawing in the refrigerator, allow about 4 hours per pound. For a quicker method, submerge the turkey in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes.
• Food safety: Clean all surfaces, utensils, and your meat thermometer with hot, soapy water before and after they touch raw meat.
ALWAYS REMEMBER TO WASH YOUR HANDS AND ALL SURFACES AS YOU ARE PREPARING, SERVING AND CLEANING.
Here’s a cool recipe for small crowds or just for yourself- https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/216078/slow-cooker-cranberry-turkey-breast/
Enhance the guest experience
• Keep it fun: Engage in activities like watching the Thanksgiving Dog Show, crafting, or creating a fun playlist to make the day memorable.
• Focus on gratitude: Encourage a spirit of appreciation by having a moment of thanks or by asking guests to share what they’re grateful for.
• Be mindful of your guests: Be aware of any dietary restrictions or allergens.
• Put phones away at the table: Save phone usage for after the meal to be present and engaged with your company.
• Offer and accept help: Be willing to help out your host or accept help from guests. Only if you want to since Uncle Henry might not be so good with the kitchen stuff.
From All of Us at B99.9 FM Happy Thanksgiving.
