With Hurricane Sandy coming into our lives and then a Nor’easter storm on her tails, many of us were simply inconvenienced without power for a few days. But for those who have lost more, we must keep them in our thoughts and prayers.
These tragic events have brought to mind what we should appreciate the most and what we should really be thankful for. These events have brought our families, friends and communities closer together. It has made us realize that material things can be replaced or rebuilt, even though difficult, but it can be done. What cannot be replaced are our family members, friends and community and the love and support they bring.
This Thursday holiday, many will be sitting around the table looking at their families and saying a true Thanksgiving.
Many people are still going to have their Thanksgiving feast. Some families will have more members joining for the first time because they have been displaced. The stress of the holiday on a normal basis is enough to jump out a window, but now add the stress of new relatives and possibly the first time hosting the dinner, now you have a recipe for disaster. I recently received a tweet from a teacher wondering how to relieve some of the pressure you may feel. Here's a list of ideas:
1. Take a deep breath. Don't take on more than you feel you can handle. Especially if it's your first time you’re hosting the dinner because your normal place of celebration has been displaced. People understand, even if you just cook a protein, one starch, a vegetable and a salad. People will be happy to just have the company of family and friends
2. If you want to go traditional, don't try new recipes. Now is not the time to field test a recipe. Most people like tradition when it comes to the holiday. Stay with the tried and true. If there is something traditional that you can't prepare, maybe the person that normally does it can come to your house and do it there if they are unable to do it their kitchen.
3. Prep ahead of time. Think of yourself as a restaurant. What do they do to be able to run smoothly? They prep, prep and more prep. Cut and clean as many of your vegetables ahead of time as possible. Make as many of the dishes a head of time. Foodnetwork.com has wonderful simple recipes that can be done in advance. For mashed potatoes, wash and peel the potatoes (don't cut them up, they will be too waterlogged) then cover them in cold water overnight. All you will have to do the next day is cut them up and cook. Stuffing can be prepared a day ahead and put in a casserole dish. Take it out for about an hour to bring to room temp and then cook as you would normally. If your baking potatoes, use your microwave too cook, then coat them with vegetable or olive oil and put them in oven to crisp the skin.
4. ASK FOR HELP! If someone asks if they can bring something, SAY YES! I need a: side dishes salad, appetizer, dessert, even the turkey. My mother in law isn't a great cook, but I know who to call to make a roast turkey. Take advantage. Better yet, tell everyone to bring something, even if its napkins. Now is not the time to be a martyr. If they can't bring something, make them the packing up and cleanup crew. Teenagers are great for this. Get as many people involved as possible.
5. Not only can you ask your family and friends to help, but take help from the supermarket. If no one can do the turkey, order it. Put a little of your own touch on a store bought items; top that out of the box apple pie with ice cream, whipped cream and drizzle some caramel topping on it. Or get a plain cheese cake and top with raspberry/strawberry preserves or drizzle chocolate shell ice cream topping on it and sprinkle on some pecans and make a turtle cheesecake. Use boxed stuffing and add sweet sausage and chopped apples.
6. If you have a lot of people coming, forget the good china. There are some great disposable dinnerware, flatware and glasses that can be purchased and there is no dish washing. Local dollar and discount stores offer great deals on disposable aluminum pans. USE THEM!
7. Roast, roast, roast. Carrots, string beans, cauliflower, broccoli, brussel sprouts are great roasted. Toss with Olive Oil, salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder and roast in a 425 oven until fork tender. Broccoli and string beans can then be tossed with balsamic vinegar. Top with chopped parsley and viola!
8. Gobble, Gobble. If you don't have a large oven, cook two small turkeys instead. Or one whole small bird for show but then have another one already cut up into parts. Or no turkey at all; most supermarkets are giving away hams as well as turkeys. They are already cooked. Brush it with maple syrup, cover and cook at 425, uncover, brush with more syrup and increase heat to 450 until top is crispy and the ham is heated through. Don't forget everyone likes baked ziti, serve it with a salad.
9. If you insist on using fine china and serving platters or even if you are using disposable as sit down or buffet; Set your table and set out all your serving pieces one or two nights before. This way your not running around last minute to try to find that gravy boat.
10. No need to stress. If all else fails.... call for reservations at a nice restaurant have everyone chip in or have the meal catered. I just spoke with a very close friend of mine. She works for the local electric company. Because of the storms she has been putting in 80 hour work weeks and she's not even sure she will have Thanksgiving off. Knowing that, she will not have time to cook, she decided to cater. There, no stress!
You want to enjoy your holiday and your company. Right now, no one needs any more stress. Not even the hostess with the mostess.
Have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving!
