Which Thanksgiving dishes work to make a day ahead?
linnea56 (zone 5b Chicago)
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
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sleevendog (5a NY 6aNYC NL CA)
6 years agoRelated Discussions
Can I make this several days ahead?
Comments (3)You could make it several days in advance if you went ahead and cooked it. I wouldn't make it in advance and leave it uncooked because the white sauce probably wouldn't hold up well and the noodles would become mushy....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 MoreDoes anyone make egg noodles ahead for Thanksgiving?
Comments (8)The dried packages?. For a holiday meal, if it is your family tradition, i might just prep my noodle/pasta pot the night before, all ready to go with water and colander insert, and cook that puppy first thing am. Easy while every other prep is happening. Fresh cooked, even cooked that morning and cooled, then re-heated...still a not much saving of time if it needs to be warm. I like to put noodles and grains in 1/2 pint containers in the freezer when i make stock, then cover the grain/noodles with the fresh stock, than freeze. Nice to have for an easy soup addition. (the noodles are slightly underdone as they will finish cooking later)...in the soups. Even if you slightly under-cook, then lay out on a sheet pan in the freezer, then package loosely, then freeze, you still need to re-heat somehow...in another pasta pot. But i don't know the dish. Seems a lot of work to freeze and might just be a lump clump and starch gummy. If just noodles that are a plain side to have with turkey and gravy, i vote for fresh boiled. Not a good do-ahead unless it is a casserole type thing with other creamy ingredients to bake easily with other baked dishes. (with peas and cream and onions and a bubbly cheese topping) If you make your egg noodles by hand like we do, they for sure can be partially dried, nested on a sheet pan and frozen. Too much work for the day of....See MoreThanksgiving Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes
Comments (13)I am trying a new (to me) recipe. It uses russet Baked potatoes, cream, and butter. So far they are easy and taste wonderful. We will see how it works tomorrow...I may be killed, I know my mother is rolling over in her grave.... 3-1/2 pounds Russet potatoes 2 cups heavy cream 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided 1-1/2 teaspoons salt Chives, for serving Instruction Preheat the oven to 450°F and adjust an oven rack to the middle position. Place the potatoes directly on the oven rack (alternatively, you can place them on a wire rack set in a rimmed baking sheet). Bake until very soft, 50 to 60 minutes, depending on the size of the potatoes. (Err on the side of overcooking rather than undercooking them.) Remove the potatoes from the oven. While they are still hot, cut each potato in half lengthwise. Using an oven mitt or a folded kitchen towel to hold the hot potatoes, scoop out all of the flesh from each potato half into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (see note on using a hand-held electric mixer). Break the cooked potato flesh down into small pieces using a fork, potato masher, or rubber spatula. Beat on low speed until completely smooth and no lumps remain, 1 to 2 minutes, stopping the mixer to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium heat, bring the cream and 6 tablespoons of the butter to a simmer. Remove the bowl from the mixer stand and, using a large rubber spatula, gradually fold in the hot cream and butter mixture. It will take a few minutes to mix it all in; keep folding until the potatoes are smooth and creamy. Stir in the salt, then taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. Transfer the mashed potatoes to a large microwave-safe bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap (the bowl should be large enough that the potatoes don’t touch the plastic wrap). Refrigerate for up to 2 days. (DO NOT FREEZE) To reheat, use the tip of a knife to poke about 10 holes in the plastic wrap knife, and microwave at medium-high (75 percent) power until the potatoes are hot, about 14 minutes, stirring halfway through the reheating time. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. Transfer the mashed potatoes to a serving dish, top with the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, and sprinkle with the chives. Serve hot. Note: You can use a hand-held mixer instead of a stand mixer but the mashed potatoes won’t be quite as smooth. If you don't have either, you can pass the potatoes through a food mill or potato ricer and then whip by hand with a wooden spoon....See Morepkramer60
6 years agoSherry8aNorthAL
6 years agoMarilyn Sue McClintock
6 years agoaviastar 7A Virginia
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoannie1992
6 years agosleevendog (5a NY 6aNYC NL CA)
6 years ago
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