Thanksgiving Check List

If you haven’t started thinking about what you’re doing to make for Thanksgiving…now would be a good time to start (wink, nudge: there’s less than a week to go!). You have the weekend to plan your meal, create a grocery list and spring into action. I haven’t gone as far as practicing serving the turkey like the woman does in the commercial, but James says I’m extremely close. Also, my in-laws are significantly nicer than those in the commercial who toss their bags at her!

In addition to some previously-written-about planning tips, here are some recipe ideas to get your menu started:

• Dynamite spinach and artichoke dip
• Bourbon sweet potato mash
• Butternut squash bread pudding
• German chocolate pecan pie
• Smooth pumpkin pie
• Mini chocolate-chip pumpkin pie
• Pumpkin bread
• Apple pie

Rereading the list I just wrote, I should’ve clarified a little earlier: here are some dessert recipes with some other dishes thrown in to get your menu started.

To even out the options, here are links to recipes I’ve tried, loved, but haven’t posted on:

• Golden brussels sprouts
• Potato gratin with goat cheese and garlic
• Parsnip and cheddar souffle

Now some of you may be asking, “Emily, you’re cooking for 10 people! What’s on your menu?” Who me? Oh well, yes I am very excited about my menu, take a look:

• Sage butter-roasted turkey with cider gravy
• Yams with maple syrup, raisins and brandy
• Potato gratin with goat cheese and garlic
• Mom’s stuffing
• Debbie’s hot vegetables
• Cranberry sauce with mandarin oranges
• Silky smooth pumpkin pie
• Apple, pear cobbler (adding cranberries)
• Chocolate layer cake

And Voila! If you have questions about any of these recipes or Thanksgiving planning, prepping, cooking, or anything else — email me!