Tomorrow’s Cooking Plan and a Few of My Favorite Recipes

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I try and do a good deal of the cooking and prep work the day before Thanksgiving.  I like the fact that it makes the day go smoother and I can spend time with my family and friends instead of all my time in the kitchen.  Here is what I have planned to do tomorrow:

I will be making the mashed potatoes a day early. I make them, put them in the fridge and on Thanksgiving Day put them in the crockpot to heat up and be ready. One less thing to stress about before serving the meal. I also pour a little milk into the bottom of the crockpot before adding potatoes. This helps prevent crusting and burning. If they heat too much a crust along the sides will form. So stir them every now and again while they heat up on low. 

 

Sweet potatoes: I make up my casserole and put it in the fridge. I heat it up shortly before the meal is served: http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/favoritesweetpotatoes.htm 

Dinner rolls: make them and reheat the next day: http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/wwoatdinnerrolls.htm 

Stuffing: I will be making crockpot stuffing and cooking the bird unstuffed. I make it up the night before and put it in the crockpot on Thanksgiving morning.

Crockpot Stuffing
12 to 14 c bread cubes ~you can use homemade whole wheat bread
1 large onion, chopped
2 c sliced celery
2 c chopped and sliced mushrooms (opt)
1 c butter
1 t thyme
½ t sage
½ t marjoram
2 t salt
½ t pepper
2 eggs, beaten
3 to 4 c chicken broth

Put bread cubes in a large mixing bowl. Cook onions, celery and optional mushrooms in butter until all veggie are soft. Add to the bread cubes and gently stir. Add spices and stir. Add remaining ingredients, mixing well. 

Put in crockpot and heat and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours.



Pies: I will make my Bosch 4 crust pie crust recipe: My family loves pumpkin pies so I will make 4 of them. Pie Crust – the recipe: http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/wwpiecrustbosh.htm  and the tutorial: http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/wholewheatpiecrusttutorial.htm  and of course the pie: http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/pumpkinpie.htm  



My daughter Emily will be making my cranberry sauce: http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/spicedcranberries.htm  and bringing an apple pie: http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/favapplepie.htm 

And no holiday is complete for my family without our traditional 24 Hour Fruit Salad. My kids loved this salad while they were growing up and still feel like no holiday meal is right if it is not served: http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/24hrfruitsalad.htm 


 

Comments

  1. AnonymousNovember 20, 2012 at 11:03 AM

    Everything sounds good!

    We've divided the menu and I'm working on some of my items in advance, too. The cranberry sauce is made and is chilling. I will make the rolls tomorrow night and refrigerate for the second rise so I can bake them Thursday morning. I'll be roasting the turkey overnight and all I'll have left to do (of my portion) is the deviled eggs, stuffing, gravy and rice. Everything else will come in as the guests trickle in.

    Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CrystalNovember 20, 2012 at 5:23 PM

      I''m doing my rolls the same way Shara.. never thought of roasting the turkey overnight.. interesting!! Something to think about.. :) You have a wonderful Thanksgiving!! Crystal :)

      Delete

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