Half Baked Harvest Thanksgiving Guide

T H A N K S G I V I N G G U I D E

ToDo

sunday

organize, make your list, get prepared set the table prep the make ahead mashed potatoes prep the sweet potatos

monday

grocery shop buy wine and alcohol prepare the stuffing, chill until ready to bake prepare the make ahead gravy make the potato stacks prep the croissants and or parker house rolls, and chill until ready to bake

tuesday

prepare the cocktails bake the desserts prepare the cranberry sauce

wednesday

prep the cinnamon rolls for the morning make the spaghetti squash prep the brie prep the dates final grocery trip for last minute items

thanksgiving day

Inthemorning:

start prepping the turkey and preheat oven bake the cinnamon rolls begin roasting the turkey make the goat cheese stuffed bacon wrapped dates

Intheafternoon:

begin baking off the casseroles, potatoes, and stuffing start warming the mashed potatoes (in the oven or slow cooker). Cook the spaghetti squash in the instant pot or on the stove toss the kale bacon salad together, this can sit in the fridge for up to 6 hours

Beforedinner:

bake off the brie lay out the dates lay out the cheeseboard set out the cocktails

Beforeguestsarrive: remove the turkey and let it rest, then carve warm the gravy bake off the rolls set out the sides serve up the turkey, gravy, and all the sides! Of course, enjoy the night with family and friends. You deserve it!!

notes

tieghan's Thanks

T HANKSGIVING Think about your menu

tip 1

A few things to be thinking about:

How much oven space do you have? How many people are you serving? Does anyone have any dietary restrictions?

Depending on how many leftovers you’d like, plan on anywhere from a pound to a pound and a half per person. If everyone is heading out the door at the end of the day, I would go closer to a pound per person If your guests are staying through the weekend, go for a pound and a half.

Bone in breasts are a nice option if you don’t want to cook more than one turkey. And lastly, keep in mind, if you’ve got a lot of sides, guests will probably eat less turkey

HANKSGIVING Make an Oven/Food Schedule

tip 2 T

This is certainly my number one tip to easily getting dinner on the table…and at a reasonable hour An oven schedule is essential for staying on track on Thanksgiving Day, especially if you’re working with limited oven space.

Tips more

T HANKSGIVING

tip 3

Test your recipes

tip 4 T HANKSGIVING

If you’re trying new recipes, make sure you test them out before Thanksgiving Day Certainly, no one wants to be disappointed on Thanksgiving with a bad batch of mashed potatoes. Test your recipes out now so they’re perfect for Thanksgiving.

Invest in a Slow Cooker and or Instant Pot

If you’re working with limited oven space, I highly recommend using your slow cooker and instant pot. They can cook mashed potatoes from start to finish, or keep your dishes warm without taking up any oven space.

T HANKSGIVING Make a To-Do list Today

tip 5

About a week or so before Thanksgiving, I sit down and make a checklist of everything that needs to be done before we sit down to eat I make my list by the days leading up to Thanksgiving. Check out the To Do list in the guide!

HANKSGIVING Use a Meat Thermometer

tip 6

This might be a no brainer, but don’t try cooking your turkey based solely on time no one wants to cut into a beautiful looking turkey only to find that it’s still raw inside. Using a thermometer is the best way to know when your turkey is cooked to perfection.

HANKSGIVING Roast Your Turkey in a Butter Soaked Cheesecloth.

tip 7

HANKSGIVING

My number 1 tip for the best turkey Grab my favorite herb butter roasted turkey recipe here tip

Don’t Cook the Stuffing Inside The Turkey

If you cook the stuffing inside the turkey, you’ll have to overcook the turkey in order to actually cook the stuffing to a temperature that’s safe to eat. And even then, you end up with soggy stuffing and dry turkey Not good Instead, bake the stuffing separately. You’ll get soft on the inside and crisp on top stuffing that actually tastes good

HANKSGIVING Set the Table Way

tip 9

Ahead of Time

When setting your table, don’t stress too much about making it perfect. I love the imperfect perfect look This is something my Nonnie taught me, and it’s probably my favorite entertaining trick. I like to set my dinner table ideally a week ahead It’s one more thing you can cross off your checklist early. Plus you’ll be guaranteed to have the table set and looking pretty when guests arrive

Above all, make the table cozy and inviting everyone will have the best night. Plus you’ll be guaranteed to have the table set and looking pretty when guests arrive.

tip 10 T HANKSGIVING

Create a Seasonal Tablescape

My best budget tip for creating an elegant tablescape is to incorporate the food onto the table. My favorite thing to do is to use fresh produce around my table to add pops of color I certainly love a bouquet of flowers, but food can be equally beautiful, if not prettier. In addition, I like to surround the table with candles, use fresh herbs for greenery, and seasonal fruit for color

R e c i p e s

BREAKFAST

APPETIZERS

COCKTAILS

I add 12 minutes per pound. You want to cook until the turkey registers 160 F. on a meat thermometer

notes

SIDES

D E S S E R T S

Enjoy the holidays!

We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration with your family and friends.

To shop Tieghan's Thanksgiving kitchen essentials visit the Half Baked Harvest Thanksgiving page www.halfbakedharvest.com/thanksgiving