What do you make ahead for Thanksgiving?

[toodie jane]

It's just the two of us for Thanksgiving,. I'm having minor knee surgery on Tuesday, so I'm using today to do some advance cooking. Don't think I'll be up to standing very long on Thursday. Sitting with a cocktail, while DH BBQ's the bird, sounds better!

I'm making a mixed-rice sweet potato cold salad with honey dijon vinegrette,
blanching the green beans, and baking a pumpkin loaf. Trying to get all the flavors of the day but in simpler dishes.

Do you have any make-ahead tricks that you'd care to pass along? How do you plan ahead so you can enjoy the day with your company?

[JoanN]

As of tonight,

1. the Kabocha squash soup is in the freezer
2. the candied pumpkin seeds to sprinkle on top of it are in a baggie on the counter
3. the turkey gravy is in the freezer
4. the pre-baked pie shell is in the freezer
5. the almond crunch to be sprinkled on the roasted pears is in a baggie on the counter

It’s one of the things I just love about T’giving. So much can be done in advance. I actually find preparing the holiday meal easier than most dinner parties.

[saraeanderson]

Could you pass along the recipe for the sweet potato salad? It sounds delish.

[emilief]

We had our Thanksgiving today because kids and families are going to in- laws on Tday. Made cranberry sauce 3 days ahead, stuffing two days ahead,Set the table the day ahead. I wanted to make the gravy ahead but could not find turkey wings so far ahead of Tday. HOpe you feel better and have a happy day.

[pikawicca]

Pumpkin cheesecake (It's in the freezer.)
Stock for gravy (Ditto)
Blanch green beans day before.
Make creamed onions day before.
Make lima bean puree day before.
Prep stuffing ingredients day before.
Set the table today.
I've been polishing silver for a week!

[Jane917]

We have kids arriving starting Wednesday, so I try to get ahead as much as possible. Today I cut up the veggies (celery, onion, leek) and sealed it with my Foodsaver. When I was in Safeway this morning I noticed they had containers of cut up veggies ready for the stuffing/dressing. If they can do it, why can't I? I also have the sausage cooked for the dressing. Wednesday pm I will start the sweet potatoes and mashed potatoes (I do the overnight kind). Thursday will be devoted to the turkey. The kids are bringing the rest of the goods, so I am off the hook there. Oh....the cranberry sauce is made too. I made the recipe from Epicurious that has whiskey in it. Sure smells good! Jane

[Val]

My make-aheads are pretty usual...Cabernet Cranberries made the day before but I'm sure they'd be okay a few days out, right? Pies (pecan and pumpkin--this little bunch resents avant garde, it has to be traditional for Thanksgiving--these are my SONS we're talking about--you'd think maybe my siblings or elders--none of whom are attending--would insist on traditional! oh, well, it's kind of cute, I guess) the night before, too. What is a pumpkin loaf? Same as pumpkin bread? Toodie Jane, I hope your minor surgery is a major succes!

[toodie jane]

yes, pumpkin bread with lots of walnuts! to serve with some double-rainbow vanilla ice cream.

(thanks--it's an in-n-out proceedure. Doc says I'll be making Costco runs in no time.)

[DaisyM]

Cranberry sauce and chutney on Tuesday. Prep all vegetables, make sweet potatoes, smoked salmon spread on Wednesday. Everything else on Thursday...but husband and stepdaughers are in charge of various things like corn bread, gravy, and apple cobbler. It is nice because it isn't crazy and we are all cooking together (we have a big kitchen).

[DaisyM]

Oh, and I forgot the most important thing...setting the table...almost done and everything is already set out in living room for cocktails. Once that stuff is done I can breathe.