any help for a newbie thanksgiving hostess?

[Sara]

this is my first year hosting my family thanksgiving dinner, yikes. i live in an apartment, and am pretty nervous about not having enough space. but, i'm also pretty excited because i want to show my family that i can do this. help?

 

[Nicole H]

stuff the suffing up the turkeys butt.

 

[thisjustin]

Go to the dollar store for cheap decorations to jazz up the place and have your family's favorite thanksgiving dinner cooked and do not overcook the turkey. Isn't it fun to be the one doing the tradition now? I know I felt the same way when I first started but now I am like damn I gotta cook all that food lol.

 

[Joanne A.]

(V. Bar, great blog!!!)

Have at lease one person stand in the kitchen to help if you need it. Two are even better!

1. You can now buy a frozen turkey already stuffed, BUT you MUST cook it frozen. Do not defrost this turkey. Read the instructions.

2. Most cooks no longer stuff their turkeys with dressing. There is not enough dressing to go around. They quarter onion and/or oranges to stuff inside the turkey so that it will look pretty.

I LOVE the boxed dressing/stuffing that you buy at the grocery store, and it makes lots of helpings. Follow directions, I'm thinking all you do is add butter and water. Ready in about 5 minutes.

3. Gravy that comes in jars are now delicious. This is the only type my husband and I use for any type of dinner.

4. I only use canned sweet potatoes, much quicker and you can do them the night before. Use a pretty casserole serving bowl that can go into the oven too. I mash them, add a little butter, warm in the microwave. If you wish, you can put marshmallows on top of the warmed sweet potatoes, pop into a hot oven...around 400...for a minute or two to brown the marshmallows. Do not leave the oven as the marshmallows will brown quickly and you do not want to burn them. If they do burn, just scrape them off. No problem.

5. I do not serve white potatoes for Thanksgiving, but lots of cooks do. You can now buy bags of dried mashed potatoes that you add water, milk, butter to them. They are real potatoes, are ready in just a minute or two and are delicious. These have become very popular. I no longer buy any other for dinners we eat. Ask a clerk to help you find them on the shelves.

6. Canned cranberry sauce. Just put on a pretty plate or to and slice. Buy lots as everyone love cranberry sauce.

7. Canned black olives in a pretty bowl, or divided serving plate. Green olives too if you wish. Make sure all are from cans/jars of "pitted" olives.

8. I buy frozen pies from the grocery store and cook them a day or two before Thanksgiving. OR your grocery store's bake shop will have them ready made for you. Most people like pumpkin with whipped cream on top, apple pie, and pecan pie.

9. It's not necessary, but most people like green bean/French onion casserole. Go here for recipe and picture...the onions are in bags or in cans at your grocery store:
http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,198,134186-241192,00.html

10. Don't forget the ice tea. You can now buy it ready made in gallon containers at your grocery store. My husband likes the sweet tea, and I like the non-sweet tea. Don't forget to put it in the fridge to get nice and cold. Delicious. I now drink tea instead of sodas.

11. I never serve snacks as no one will be hungry for your turkey dinner/luncheon.
But if you wish you can get your grocery store's deli make you Party Trays. You must order these in advance. They have a booklet for you to choose from.

12. Buy all these items before hand. Get as much as possible ready the day before. Covered dishes will keep things fresh for you.

13. If you have a large group, check out renting card tables. Just cover with a cloth and you have a table. OR rent a long table and cover with cloths. Don't forget the chairs.

HAVE A GREAT TIME...HAPPY THANKSGIVING.

 

[Lila]

first off relax everything will be fine second, if you need any tips on how to cook go on youtube and type in thanksgiving tips