Helpful Thanksgiving Tips and Delicious Recipes

Thanksgiving is my very favorite holiday, but one that requires organization. Here are helpful Thanksgiving tips and delicious recipes.

Every year, I catch myself briefly vacillating between which holiday if my favorite – Thanksgiving or Christmas. I do love everything that Christmas entails, from all of the decorations to the true meaning. I do love to give gifts, but more specifically, I love to give the gift of food.

I’m in my happy place when I’m in the kitchen, planning and prepping for Thanksgiving. It’s a day where I’m surrounded by my family that I love more than anything, and I get to do what I love, cooking.

 

 

It’s all the planning and the prep that I thrive on. Starting early Wednesday morning, I wake up at stupid o’clock and begin my prep with a pumpkin latte and some jazz playing in the background. Then, I’m all in, all day, starting the prep, making the Bloody Mary’s, and those dishes that are best prepared a day ahead anyway, like dressing, and the desserts. setting the table, and organizing each serving dish to its designated side, and even making some sides as well, planning to bake them off on Thanksgiving.

Since I’ve attended a bastion of these Thanksgiving rodeos, I have the key ingredients to help your Thanksgiving go smoothly.

If you bought a frozen turkey, thaw it in the refrigerator at least 8 days before Thanksgiving. This is a valuable tip because if you do forget to thaw your turkey, even running a warm stream of water over it for a period of time, you most likely won’t be eating it until after Thanksgiving is over.

Two days before Thanksgiving is time to brine your turkey. This adds the most delicious flavor to the turkey, and the meat will be super moist. I swear by brining.

The day before is the best time to make all of the desserts! Like, for real. This pumpkin bread trifle with bourbon whipped cream and this homemade pumpkin ice cream are among our favorites that I make every single year.

My theory is that the more you plan and do the day before, the more you can mozey around on Thanksgiving Day. I organize all my Thanksgiving recipes in one folder. This way, I grab for the folder knowing that all the recipes I need are in there. Having said this, I must admit that the four of us here seldom, if ever, get out of our jammies the entire day. I don’t feel badly about this, one bit. Most of the prep is done, and Thanksgiving Day we’re all about the final details, and pretty much snacking and eating all day, with the parade and the dog show on constant replay. Who’s with me?

These are a few last minute tips to help your Thanksgiving Day go smoothly. Because, take my word for it, heed these tips and you’ll be A-ok.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone, and Bon Appétit!!