4 Pro Steps to a Stress-Free Thanksgiving

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With a little planning, the proper tools and some strategic cookery, it’s possible to not just survive this Thanksgiving, but to rock it. But cooking for a crowd is daunting if you don’t do it all the time. Here’s what I’ve learned from my pro cooking gigs, including single-handedly preparing a weekly six-course buffet dinner for 40. These four tips will help you enjoy a successful, low-stress Thanksgiving.

Find your bird

Choosing your turkey begins with the guest list. Depending on the amount of leftovers you desire, allot anywhere from 1 to 1.5 pounds of turkey weight per guest. Next, determine your turkey type. From fresh to frozen to organic to kosher to heritage birds, the choices are many. Some require ordering in advance, so don’t delay.

To brine or not to brine

Somewhere in the turkey equation you’ll need to decide how to prepare the bird. The basic method applies seasonings immediately before and during roasting. Another alternative is to smoke the turkey on the grill, which frees up oven space on the big day.

Brining involves soaking the bird in a seasoned saltwater liquid (usually for 12-24 hours, depending on the size of the bird) ensuring moist turkey with flavor throughout. Pre-salting is also gaining ground as an effective and space-efficient way to deeply season the bird, and involves sprinkling the turkey with salt three days in advance. For hassle-free flavor, kosher turkeys are an excellent option, as the koshering salt used during processing results in a flavorful bird right out of the bag.

Make Your Prep List

You’ll never feel lost in the details if you have a well-written game plan. Start with a brainstorming session that includes lists of:

  • Tasks for guests, from pie-baking to playlist making
  • Tasks for yourself, like counting forks and washing table linens
  • Recipes you’d like to serve (remember to account for special diets)
  • Assigned cooking and serving vessels for each menu item
  • A shopping list including everything you need, from green beans to stemware

Next, map out a prep list by working backwards from meal time. For example, if you want to serve a fresh, brined turkey at 5 p.m. on Thursday, you should be preparing it for the oven by noon, so it should be soaking in brine no later than noon on Wednesday. This means the turkey needs to be picked up, and the brine made on Tuesday, and so forth. Repeat this process for every task and recipe and before long, you’ll be feeling enthusiastic instead of overwhelmed.

Using a frozen bird? The safest, easiest way to thaw it is in the refrigerator, and you’ll need to allow 24 hours for every 4-5 pounds. That means you should move a 20-pound turkey from the freezer to the fridge four days before Thanksgiving, five if you plan to brine it.

Gather the Right Equipment

Among my must-have kitchen tools for the big day:

  • Instant-read thermometer: Affordable, reliable and easy to use, this little tool is the best way to guarantee a perfectly cooked bird, as well as thoroughly heated side dishes. Just insert the rod into the deepest and coolest part of the food, and the temperature gauge will tell you within about 60 seconds, exactly how hot it is.
  • Fat separator: The fastest way to skim the fat from pan drippings, this simple, low-spouted tool looks like a measuring cup with a strainer on top. Simply pour the drippings through the strainer and the fat will rise to the top so you can pour out the flavorful gravy while leaving the fat behind. It will drastically cut gravy prep time.
  • Carving board: If you don’t own a behemoth carving board with a moat, don’t worry. Make do with a cutting board placed within a larger, rimmed baking sheet to catch every drop of juice. Lay a damp dishtowel on the counter to hold the baking sheet in place while you carve the bird.

Writer, poet and chef Ginny Mahar currently resides in Missoula, Montana. When she’s not busy freelancing or posting on her blog, Food-G, you can find her in the mountains, earning her calories.

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Wild Rice Salad with Pistachios & Golden Raisin Vinaigrette

This make-ahead salad combines indigenous North American wild rice with the colors of fall. Not only will it save you prep time on Thanksgiving Day, it will add a vegan element to your menu that everyone can enjoy. Prepare the vinaigrette while the rice is cooking. Combine the rice with half the vinaigrette up to a day ahead; prep and refrigerate the remaining ingredients separately and toss them with the rice and remaining vinaigrette up to an hour before serving.

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Wild Rice Salad with Pistachios & Golden Raisin Vinaigrette

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Serves 8-10

Wild Rice Salad with Pistachios & Golden Raisin Vinaigrette

Ingredients

  1. Golden Raisin Vinaigrette:
  3. 1/2 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
  4. 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (approximately 1 orange)
  5. 1/4 cup golden raisins
  6. 1 tablespoon honey
  7. 2/3 cup walnut or canola oil
  8. 2 tablespoons roughly chopped shallot
  9. 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
  10. 1-1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  11. 1 tablespoon fresh chopped tarragon
  12. 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  13. 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  16. Remaining Ingredients:
  18. 2 cups wild rice
  19. 2 cups radicchio , washed, dried and finely chopped (approximately 1 small head)
  20. 2 cups thinly sliced celery ribs
  21. 2/3 cup thinly sliced dried apricots
  22. 2/3 cup shelled pistachios or chopped walnuts
  23. 1/2 cup sweetened dried cranberries, coarsely chopped
  24. 2 green onions, thinly sliced
  25. 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
  26. Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

To prepare vinaigrette, combine first 4 ingredients in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on HIGH 30 seconds or until hot and bubbling. (You may also bring mixture to a brief boil on the stove top.) Stir and let stand 2-5 minutes or until raisins are soft. Place raisins, soaking liquid and next 7 ingredients (through 1/8 teaspoon pepper) in a blender or small food processor; pulse to combine.

Cook rice in plenty of boiling salted water for 1 hour or until grains are split and tender. Remove from heat, drain, and rinse with cold water. Toss rice with half the vinaigrette, and refrigerate up to 24 hours.

Up to 1 hour before serving, combine rice with remaining vinaigrette, radicchio and remaining ingredients; toss to combine. Taste and adjust seasonings, if desired.

http://nourishnetwork.com/2010/11/15/4-pro-steps-to-a-stress-free-thanksgiving/