Cooking for Thanksgiving is one of my favorite times of the year. For many years, Mom and I have cooked the day before Thanksgiving prior to any of our house guests arriving. It was like the calm before the storm. That day has always truly been a day of fun and laughter as we taste tested our way into sheer exhaustion that never felt better.
This year, several family members are coming in early, so Mom and I will be sharing the kitchen with a few others. I already know I am going to miss that special time for just the two of us, but, like all things, we will adapt and no doubt, still enjoy fun and laughter. In fact, I am already mentally devising ways to annoy my sister, who will be one of our early birds.
This year it will be more like the days of our youth when the girls in the household will pack into the kitchen like a can of sardines to cook, while the guys brilliantly stay out of the way. Now that I think of it, I wonder, what do those guys do? Perhaps I will spy on them this year and I can report back to you all later.
Note: You can click any of the photos to see the actual recipes.
Breakfast Breads
As much as I enjoy cooking, I do not like to cook first thing in the morning. I like to drink my coffee and wake up slowly. How my morning begins has always affected my entire day. If I wake up late, that stressful feeling of being rushed doesn't seem to leave me even as the day changes into early evening. If I wake up to immediate work, I never seem to find that peace and I tend to be irritable all day. Therefore,
I prefer to either cook something the day before or something that can quickly be mixed together and stuck in the oven to bake while I drink my coffee and wake up fully.
Here are a few muffin and bread recipes that our contributors on
Review This have shared with me and I, in turn, will share them with you.
Festive Broccoli Salad
Anything that can be prepared ahead of time, especially the day before, is going to be a real winner in my book!
BarbRad's Festive Broccoli Salad sounds like a delicious recipe, plus it looks like one I could
make ahead and leave in the refrigerator. If someone gets hungry before the complete Thanksgiving dinner is ready, this salad is something they could easily help themselves to without ruining their appetites.
It would also be a very pretty addition to the Thanksgiving dinner table, provided you have any left after your guests know it is available while they wait.
The Thanksgiving Turkey
For as long as I can remember, the turkey has been one of the main dishes on our Thanksgiving table. I cook it the same way my mother prepared her Thanksgiving turkey. It is always delicious, tender and moist. After all, not one enjoys a dried out turkey!
I
share all of my secrets for
How to Bake a Turkey on Cooking for the Holidays.
Making Another Meal with Turkey Leftovers
Since our guests stay for nearly a week, we need meals on the days after Thanksgiving. No one really feels like cooking huge meals the following days or spending a lot of time in the kitchen.
Recipes that can be created with leftovers are the perfect solution to the days after Thanksgiving dinner dilemma.
Susan Deppner has shared her recipe for Homemade Turkey Noodle Soup. This is such a great recipe for those turkey leftovers, especially for those cold, damp days that always seem to follow Thanksgiving.
Wishing You All a Wonderful Day, Delicious Meals, and Safe Travels this Thanksgiving Holiday!
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