Our Thanksgiving Menu + Cooking Schedule +Planning Worksheets

This is a post I share every year, and each year I update it with some of the new recipes I've added  - Hello, Kale Salad and Petite Pecan Pies.  I've also included the link to my Thanksgiving Planning Worksheets (below) to help you with your scheduling for the week... it is "go" time for those of us hosting!

Somethings aren't changing, like the BEST Turkey recipe that starts with a bottle of white wine and a pound of butter : )  I'm adding  a new side dish - Sausage & Brie Stuffed Mushrooms.  Instead of the Baked Brie, I'm making an old fashioned relish tray.  We'll be featuring some homemade pickled vegetables, bread and butter pickles, olives, etc.  All of that yummy salty briny goodness goes great with a glass of mulled wine before dinner, without filling up.

My sister and her family are staying here the night before Thanksgiving so we will begin our day with parade watching and breakfast - all made in advance so the kitchen can concentrate on making the Thanksgiving meal the morning of.  We will be eating at 1pm this year, so the times have been changed to reflect that.  Hope you enjoy and it helps you prepare for the big day.

I'll be working on my table setting early next week, so I'll be sure to share that, too.

We have a busy week ahead since we are hosting Thanksgiving at the new house.   I'm still hunting for dining room chairs... tiny detail, right?  I'm hoping to find an eclectic mix of six old windsor chairs to mix with our six upholstered. We also need to make some teachers' gifts for school, get the house ready for overnight guests and plan details for a holiday packed weekend.   Would love to hear about what recipes are your favorites or new ones you are trying.  This weekend marks the start of the most wonderful time of the year - and I am so glad to be in the thick of it!

Here is a link to download my Thanksgiving Worksheets.  They will help you go on autopilot for the day so you can enjoy yourself and know that everything will be perfectly timed... or at least most things.   You will be prompted to add your email before the lists download, just FYI.  This adds you to my email list so you can stay updated on new posts and specials I have for the store.  

Cranberry Orange Scones

Petite Quiche Tarts

Barefoot Contessa Mulled Wine

Relish Tray Inspiration

Baked Brie with Caramelized Pecans in Puff Pastry served with Apples 

Not making this this year, but have every year before.

Kale, Pumpkin Seed, Apple & Cranberry Salad

Always nice to have something fresh and crunchy in addition to such an indulgent meal.

 

Thanksgiving Planner | Traditional Herb Stuffing Recipe | Sage & Thyme Dressing Recipe

Bacon Braised Green Beans

 The Best Classic Mashed Potatoes | Potato Ricer

Stuffed Mushrooms

This photo is of The Pioneer Woman's Brie Stuffed, but I think I'm going to combine that recipe with Ina's Sausage Stuffed.

Holidays | Entertaining | Thanksgiving Planner | Countdown Day 9 | Roasted Turkey & Gravy Recipes

One thing that I highly recommend, is trying the Turkey recipe I have posted from Martha Stewart.  We stared using this method a couple of years ago and everyone goes crazy over it.  You stuff the bird with lemon, garlic, thyme, and sage, then baste it with a mixture of a bottle of chardonnay and 4 sticks of butter.  It makes the most unbelievable pan drippings for gravy.  Turkey is usually a little bland, but this recipe makes it amazing.

Leaf Topped Apple & Cranberry Cobbler with Orange Zest, Cinnamon & Nutmeg

 

Pecan Tart | A New Twist on a Classic Pecan Pie Recipe

  

Chocolate Cream Tart with Pecan Shortbread Crust

 Thanksgiving Table Setting | DIY Flower Pumpkin Centerpiece, Woodland China, Hemstitch Linens, Pewter Flatware & Rustic Glassware

Enjoy this week of planning - my favorite part of Thanksgiving... getting everything ready!

Jenny