Entries Tagged 'Thanksgiving' ↓

Here are my plan-ahead tips that make this special Thursday completely stress-free in my house:

Start Now:

• Use a calendar and write in what you are going to do when.  It makes it easier to stay on task.
• Create your guest list. Get an idea of how many people are going to come, just so you can start figuring out the quantity you need.
• Order your turkey. This way I don’t have to panic and worry about finding the right size and type (organic, free-range, etc.) the week of.
• Make your pie dough. If you make pie dough using a stand mixer or food processor, it comes together in minutes, and you can enjoy delicious homemade crust for your Thanksgiving pies without having to stress the week of Thanksgiving. I find the best way to store the dough is to form individual pie discs, vacuum seal each in its own bag and freeze. Then you simply to defrost in the fridge overnight. And I always make a few extra discs of dough for Turkey Pot Pie with our leftovers!
• Go through linens and serving pieces. Make sure you have everything you need. I also send all my linens to be dry-cleaned and pressed, if they haven’t been already. And I always have pressed a “fancy” apron (you know the kind – frilly bottom or seasonal print) to put on once my guests start arriving and it’s time to take off the stained grungy one! I make a list of serving pieces I need to buy. I like to buy them a few weeks before Thanksgiving, mainly to help spread the cost from the big week but also to make sure I get the pieces I want instead of what is left.

Maple Pumpkin Tart

Ingredients:

For The Crust:

Create up to four individual-sized pies full of your favorite fillings with this simple-to-operate pie maker. Whether its savory meat pies, vegetable pies, quiches or sweet fruit pies or tarts, most pies take just 8 minutes to cook. $99.50.

The “Mini Pie Cookbook makes it easy to create single-serving pies that the whole family will enjoy for snacks, dinners and desserts. Former pastry chef Abigail Johnson Dodge, a respected expert shows you how simple it is to assemble and bake pies using an electric mini pie maker. The charming desserts range from fruity fillings like apple-cinnamon, tangy cranberry-pear, plum-ginger, and strawberry-rhubarb to decadent flavors like s’mores, chocolate and caramel-banana. Of course, the classic are here, too, with recipes for seasonal favorites including pumpkin and pecan. Best of all, these delicious petite pies bake in just ten minutes without even turning on the oven. $19.95

www.WilliamSonoma.Com

A sandwich made with leftovers from the Thanksgiving dinner is traditional, but a panini can be every bit as memorable as the big feast. Enjoy crisp, golden toast filled with tender slices of turkey, provolone cheese and stuffing, balanced with a touch of piquant cranberry relish and creamy gravy.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup turkey gravy base
• 1/2 cup milk
• 8 slices sweet batard, each cut on the bias about 1/2 inch thick
• Olive oil for brushing
• 1/2 cup cranberry relish
• 4 slices provolone cheese
• 12 oz. thinly sliced roast turkey breast meat
• 1 1/3 cups leftover cooked stuffing

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