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Three Weeks Before
· Decide
whether to have a buffet or sit-down dinner
· Make
arrangements with a caterer if you are not cooking
· Plan
the Thanksgiving dinner menu
· Select
favorite recipes
Two Weeks Before
· Order
the turkey
· Order
flowers and dining table centerpiece
· Order
liquor and wine
· Arrange
for extra help (bartender, baby-sitter)
· Rent
or buy electric warming trays, coffee urn, folding chairs
· Group
recipes that can be made in advance
· Make
a list of all required ingredients
· Go
through the kitchen cupboards to check staples
· Make
a beverage list
One Week Before
· Call
to reconfirm all orders and arrangements
· Make
and freeze cornbread
Make sure you have:
· bathroom
soap
· bottle
opener
· can
opener
· candles
· cocktail
napkins
· corkscrew
· dish
towels, guest towels
· extra
large plastic trash bags
· hangars
· ice
and bucket
· kitchen
timer
· matches
· napkins
· paper
towels
· plastic
utensils
· table
decorations
· toothpicks
· turkey
baster
· turkey
skewer and string kit
Three Days Before
· If
using a frozen turkey, allow 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator to thaw
· Shop
for food early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid
crowded stores
· Clean
out the refrigerator
· Wash
and iron tablecloth and napkins
Two Days Before
· Call
to confirm the turkey order (you can't have the Thanksgiving without it!)
· Clean
and polish silver
· Wash
dishes, platters, cups and saucers
· Wash
your fine glasses with Brillo (to avoid water spots). Place on towels upside down to dry
· Thoroughly
clean the house
· Do
all necessary laundry
· Clear
off kitchen counters
· Rearrange
furniture if necessary
The Day Before
· Arrange
flowers
· Keep
flowers and floral centerpiece in a cool place overnight (garage or air-conditioned room)
· Pick
up turkey or wait for delivery (refrigerate immediately)
· Pre-measure,
wash, chop, and prepare all ingredients for tomorrow's recipes
· Organize
all kitchen utensils, platters, pots and pans, cooking equipment
· Cook
and store all dishes that can be prepared in advance
· Bake
pies
· Buy
extra bags of ice
· Chill
white wine
· Set
the table
· Slice
lemons and limes for drinks
· Select
music cassettes and CD-Roms
Turkey Day
Morning:
· Take
an early walk or exercise
At least four hours ahead of dinner:
· Turn
on oven
· Prepare
turkey and place in oven
· Keep
basting the turkey
· Thaw
frozen cornbread
· Fill
ice bucket
· Place
flowers and floral centerpiece
· Remove
cheese one hour before serving
One hour before serving:
· Open
red wine (so it can "breathe")
· Check
turkey with meat thermometer
· Take
turkey out of oven
· Make
gravy
Serve dinner
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