Thanksgiving Timeline

Ok here is my plan for Thanksgiving! It a timeline of everything I am going to do to make Thursday seamless and simple.

The Menu

Starters:

  • Whipped feta with crackers and crudite

  • Shrimp cocktail

Mains:

Dessert

Drinks:

Wine, Beer, and a batched tequila old fashioned

Misc:

I am going to make cinnamon rolls for breakfast on Thursday am for anyone who wants to come over and watch the Macy’s Day Parade

The Plan

I really want to do as much as I can ahead of time and here is how I plan on organizing between now and next Thursday:

Thursday and Friday

Do all the grocery shopping. I plan on freezing the sausage (for the stuffing) and shrimp (for the appetizer) and removing from the freezer on Tuesday to defrost in the fridge. The rest will be fine in the fridge until next Thursday

Friday:

Saute the mirepoix (the onion, celery etc) for the stuffing, then freeze

Cube stuffing bread and then freeze

Make dough and roll the cinnamon rolls. Alllow the dough to do the first rise, then shape and cut and place into pan. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and freeze

Make dough and form the Parker House Rolls. Similar to the cinnamon rolls, but allow the dough to do its first rise, shape and place into pan. From there wrap and freeze

Saturday

Make corn casserole and freeze without melted cheese on top

Make the cheesecake crust, press into springform pan, bake, cool, then freeze

Sunday

Clean the house, set out all dishes, make sure there are enough wine glasses, plates, napkins etc. Set the table.

Tuesday

Remove the vegetables and bread from the freezer and allow to defrost overnight

Remove the sausage and shrimp and allow to defrost in the fridge

Remove the corn casserole from the freezer and allow to defrost overnight

Cook the potatoes and rice them. Store in the refrigerator covered. Steep the cream, strain and store in the fridge

Mix the cheesecake base, store in the fridge overnight

Wednesday

Assemble the cheesecake, bake, and let it sit out on the counter overnight (All pies and cheesecakes are best made the day before so they can have time to set)

Blanch green beans and store in the fridge overnight

Assemble the stuffing then store in the fridge unbaked

Let the cinnamon rolls and Parker house rolls defrost in the fridge overnight

Make the whipped feta and store in the fridge overnight

Thursday

First thing while the coffee is brewing, remove the cinnamon rolls and the parker house rolls from the fridge and place in a warm place to rise until doubled in size. Once doubled in size bake (I will bake the Parker House Rolls then reheat and brush with butter before serving)

About 1 1/2 hours before your Thanksgiving dinner here is what we need to do:

  • bake the stuffing

  • warm the corn casserole

  • cook the Brussel sprouts

  • warm the mashed potatoes in a crock pot or dutch oven and mix with cream and butter

  • finish the green beans by crisping up the shallots and cooking with garlic

  • warm the turkey

  • assemble the appetizer

Then lets’s eat!