Which Thanksgiving dishes work to make a day ahead?
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
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8 years agoRelated Discussions
Looking for a good make ahead Easter Dish - coq au vin, cacciat
Comments (8)Lynn, this is a huge favorite of ours, and it seems to meet all your requirements. It's a great make-ahead dish, is easy to do, and it's made and reheated on the stovetop, so that eliminates the oven problem. And one of the things I like best is that it tastes authentically Italian but doesn't seem 'heavy' at all. It goes by several different names (and spellings), but the recipes don't vary much. The one untraditional ingredient here is the balsamic vinegar. (Idea stolen from Marcella Hazan, and it's wonderful!) This is supposed to be enough for 1 lb. of pasta, but I double everything because we like it saucy. All'Amatriciana Sauce 2 T. olive oil 1 red onion, quartered and thinly-sliced (at least 1 cup -- a little more is fine) 1 - 2 cloves garlic, minced 4 - 6 oz. pancetta, chopped fine (I've substituted Genoa salami with good results, and pepperoni works okay. Lots of recipes say regular bacon can be used, but I'd be hesitant to try that.) 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes or 2 small hot chilies, minced 1 T. tomato paste 1 (28-oz.) can tomatoes, preferably San Marzano (I like to use whole and crush by hand, but diced will be fine) 1/4 cup wine, optional (I prefer to drink it instead. Less chance of my family being poisoned, doncha know. :) But if you're willing to risk it, either red or white is okay.) 1 T. balsamic vinegar (needs to be good quality!) 1 T. brown sugar salt and pepper, to taste 1/2 c. fresh basil leaves, chopped 1/2 c. freshly-grated cheese (Romano is traditionally used, but it's a little sharp for us, so I sub Parmesan) Heat oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add sliced onion; cook, stirring occasionally, until they begin to caramelize (approx. 6-7 minutes). Add garlic, pancetta and pepper flakes; cook, stirring constantly, another 6 or 7 minutes, until pancetta is golden. Add tomato paste, stirring a couple of minutes to allow it to brown. Add tomatoes, including juice, vinegar, sugar and wine, if using. Reduce heat and allow mixture to simmer until thickened to desired consistency. (This should take about 15 minutes -- maybe 20 if you added wine.) Season to taste with pepper and salt, if needed. If making in advance, cover and refrigerate at this point. Shortly before serving, boil pasta while gently reheating sauce. (Bucatini is the most traditional choice, but penne is a close second.) Mix drained pasta with sauce, and put in serving bowl. Sprinkle with basil and cheese and serve immediately. Note: Since you seem to be leaning towards a chicken dish, adding it to this sauce is apparently a common variation. I found quite a few recipes online that all called for the same method. Dip chicken cutlets (pounded thin) in beaten egg, then roll in seasoned breadcrumbs. Fry in olive oil until crust is well-browned on both sides. Slice thinly and then add to sauce while it simmers to finish cooking. As far as roasting the vegetables, asparagus should only take 10 minutes or so. The lasagna will need to sit that long so it will slice nicely. Timing should be just about right. Good luck! sm...See MoreMake-Ahead Thanksgiving Dishes
Comments (18)FF half and half has corn syrup in it so you're really not doing yourself any favors. I use the real stuff in my coffee and it's so rich and creamy I end up using less calories than I would using the fake stuff. Okay, I'm done for the weekend. It was really fun making all my Thanksgiving favorites without the stress. DH even helped by being my dishwasher and sous chef! I think the squash lasagna is going to be the bomb! Lots of flavor depth. I decided to wait until Wednesday to make the stuffing but I got the bread ready. The lemon tart is so great for after a big dinner. Hardly anyone in my family likes pumpkin pie and pecan pie is on just about every restaurant menu around here, so nothing special about it. I'm making a bunch of 4" tartelette that will be lemon curd, cherry and chocolate pudding. The cherry and chocolate will have sugar free options for my diabetic step-dad. I've made sugar free lemon curd before but it just tastes like a lemon flavored cough drop. Thanks for everyone's help. The weekend was fun!...See Moremake ahead buffet dishes
Comments (7)I've posted this recipe many times. It's a great make ahead and can be served hot or at room temp. A bit different. Chicken Marbella 9 pounds chicken - either whole birds quartered or a combo of thighs and breasts (If-using breasts be sure not to overcook) 1 head garlic peeled and chopped 1/4 cup dried oregano salt and pepper to taste 1/2 cup red wine vinegar 1/2 cup olive oil 1 cup pitted prunes 1/2 cup pitted Spanish olives 1/2 cup capers and a bit of the juice 6 Bay leaves 1 cup brown sugar 1 cup white wine 1/4 cup Italian parsley -- chopped Combine chicken garlic, oregano,salt,vinegar, oil, prunes, olives. capers and bay leaves. Marinate & refrigerate overnight. Arrange chicken in a single layer in one or two large baking dishes. Spoon marinade over evenly. Sprinkle chicken evenly with brown sugar and pour white wine around them. Bake in a for 50 minutes to 1 hour at 350. Do not over cook. Transfer chicken and prunes etc to a serving platter. Moisten with a few spoonfuls of the sauce. Sprinkle with chopped parsley. Pass the remaining sauce in a sauce boat. If preparing a few days in advance refrigerate cooked chicken in the sauce and allow to come to room temp before reheating, just until warmed through. If serving cold allow to come to room temp before serving. This pasta salad posted by Woodie is always a big hit. It makes a lot! Pasta Salad - Woodie 1 lb small shell macaroni,cooked and drained 1/2 lb provolone cheese,diced 1/2 lb salami,diced 1/2 lb pepperoni,cut in half lengthwise then slice into cubes 3 lb tomatoes,seeded and diced 3 ribs celery,diced 1 green or red pepper,diced 1 can black olives 1 jar pimento stuffed green olives 1 red onion,diced DRESSING 3/4 cup oil 1/2 cup vinegar 1-1/2 teaspoon salt fresh ground pepper 1 tsp dried oregano 1 tsp basil celery salt to taste Mix dressing and pour over pasta, refrigerate until serving This one can be made up to 8 hours in advance and makes a nice addition to a buffet. Nice change up from pinwheels. Stuffed Baguettes 1 Baguette or French stick 2 cups spinach leaves, chopped and packed 4 oz cream cheese, room temp 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped 1 TBSP milk 4 cups minced ham 1/3 cup toasted pistachios, chopped 1 TBSP Dijon mustard 1/3 cup mayonnaise Slice the baguette lengthwise. Hollow out the bread leaving the shell about 1/2 inch thick. Rinse spinach and shake off excess moisture cook in just a bit of water until the leaves are wilted. Drain and squeeze dry and chopp in the food processor ( I just use frozen and ensure it is well drained). Combine cream cheese , dill , milk, and spinach until spreadable. Combine ham, nuts, mustard and enough mayo to make a moist filling. Spread cream cheese all over the inside of the shells. Spoon the ham mixture into the bottom shell, mounding slightly. Place top of loaf back over the filling. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours and as long as 8. Serve cut in slices. let us know what you decide on for a menu!...See MoreMake-Ahead Side Dishes for Christmas Dinner
Comments (18)I've posted this recipe a few times, but it always comes to mind for a delicious make ahead. I take it to our Christmas celebration where Prime Rib is served and also at Thanksgiving with turkey. I do everything ahead, keep all the ingredients separate from each other and just toss together about 5-10 min before dinner. You can do all a day or two beforehand, just don't bloom the onion until the morning of, so it doesn't get too soft. It is always a BIG hit. Michael Chiarello's Winter Panzanella Salad Ingredients For the croutons: 1/4 cup unsalted butter 2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh thyme 6 cups day-old bread, crust removed, cubed 6 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan, plus more for garnish Salt and freshly ground black pepper For the salad: 1 small red onion, sliced thinly lengthwise 3 tablespoons sherry vinegar Gray salt 4 cups peeled, seeded, and diced butternut squash (1/2-inch dice) 1/2 cup plus 1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage Freshly ground black pepper 1/2 pound Brussels sprouts, ends trimmed, then quartered 1/2 cup fresh Italian parsley leaves Directions Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Melt the butter in a large skillet over moderate heat and cook until it foams. Add the garlic and thyme, and immediately add the bread cubes. Toss to coat well. Add most of the grated cheese and stir. Transfer bread to a baking sheet and sprinkle with the remaining cheese and salt and pepper and gently toss again while still warm to melt the cheese. Bake stirring once or twice, until the croutons are crisp and lightly colored on the outside but still soft within, about 10 to 15 minutes. Set aside and let cool. Soak the sliced onion in the sherry vinegar and a pinch of salt for about 15 minutes. Set aside. Toss the squash with 1 1/2 tablespoons of the olive oil, sage, salt, and pepper. Arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake until the squash is tender and lightly caramelized, about 15 to minutes. Let cool. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the quartered Brussels sprouts and cook until tender but retain a touch of crispness, about 1 1/2 minutes, and drain. Into the reserved red onions and vinegar, whisk in remaining 1/2 cup olive oil. Season with pepper. In a large bowl combine the roasted squash, croutons, and Brussels sprouts. Add the vinaigrette and toss. Add the parsley leaves and toss again. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Garnish with grated Parmesan and serve immediately. Chef note: "Soaking the onion briefly in sherry vinegar--sometimes called blooming the onion--mellows the raw onion taste." Olychick note: I use artisan white bread..I prefer ciabatta; it's a lot of crust to trim, but love the texture for this salad. I poke a couple of holes in the butternut and microwave for 3 or 4 min, let cool then peel and chop. Makes it so much easier to cut and to peel....See More
8 years ago
8 years ago- 8 years ago
8 years agolast modified: 8 years ago
8 years ago- 8 years ago
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