Well, I'm hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year for the first time for my family... there should be around 20 folks coming - eek! The thing is that I don't cook much so this is definitely stressing me out. I have hopped online and found some recipes so it's just a matter of following them to the letter and hoping that everything will work out. My biggest concern is that everything won't be done at the same time. Also how do I keep everything warm until serving time? I also didn't budget for Thanksgiving dinner as we usually go to a family member's but who was to know that I'd draw the short straw this year. What have I gotten myself into?
Thanksgiving stress
November 8th, 2006 at 01:35 pm
November 8th, 2006 at 03:00 pm 1162998024
Make the mashed potatoes ahead of time and stick them in the crockpot on low.
Take a deep breath and relax. Your family is coming to see you, not your dinner!
November 8th, 2006 at 03:29 pm 1162999794
Do you have a roaster oven? That comes in handy for either keeping things warm or making the turkey. Then your oven is free for other things.
November 8th, 2006 at 04:20 pm 1163002801
November 8th, 2006 at 04:30 pm 1163003455
November 8th, 2006 at 04:32 pm 1163003557
November 8th, 2006 at 06:54 pm 1163012062
November 8th, 2006 at 08:26 pm 1163017589
You can also probably pick a complete dinner up from one of your local restaraunts or even hotel kitchens will make you a dinner for a price and you just drive on down the morning of and viola - a feast!
If you do choose to cook it yourself don't make it harder than it has to be - buy a couple of frozen pre-cooked turkey breasts or a spiral cut ham.
November 8th, 2006 at 09:48 pm 1163022497
November 9th, 2006 at 03:01 am 1163041300
November 9th, 2006 at 04:47 am 1163047678
November 9th, 2006 at 03:22 pm 1163085737
Would it be possible to ask people to contribute a dish? As is very typical from the many Asian-style gatherings I've attended, it's almost forbidden to come empty-handed. What my friends have done is the host will make the main dish, then they ask everyone else to bring side dishes or alcohol/drinks.
If all else fails, I agree, look into catering or precooked dishes from the supermarket. 20 people is quite the crowd, you need all the hlep you can get.