It’s all about friends, family, and of course, food. I guess that’s why Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays. Unfortunately, there is always a certain amount of stress that goes with the territory. But no need to let that put a damper on your holiday plans. You can still host a special, memorable gathering.
So, how to keep Thanksgiving manageable? Start by limiting appetizers. In our home, there are so many fabulous sides and desserts (and…oh yeah, that turkey!) that there really is no need for appetizers. If you don’t want to cut the holiday appetizers out completely, keep them light and simple. Two easy, elegant starters are crudités and bruschetta.
Raw vegetables, or crudités, are usually served with some dipping sauce, to enhance their flavor. This is especially easy because so many veggies are packaged in bite-sized pieces that you only have to wash, such as grape tomatoes and baby carrots. Aim for a colorful mix, including fresh broccoli or cauliflower florets, and broccoflower, which is readily available this time of year and makes a spectacular purple addition to your crudités. Prep your veggies the day before and store them in the fridge in plastic bags. When you’re ready to serve them, arrange on a beautiful platter or in a basket. Pour some Wish-Bone® Ranch dressing into a hollowed out red or green pepper for an extra special presentation.
For another starter option, try one of my favorites, Bertolli® Bruschetta, made with toasted French bread, fresh garlic, Bertolli® Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Bertolli® Tomato & Basil Sauce and the toppings of your choice. Topping suggestions include fresh mozzerella cheese, portobello mushrooms, prosciutto, red peppers, fresh tomato, and of course, fresh basil. These crowd-pleasers can be put together in minutes – and are guaranteed to disappear even more quickly.
The good news is that a large turkey is one of the best values at the meat counter — especially if you watch for sales, buy ahead and freeze it. Plan wisely, throw in a potluck angle and you can easily present a festive meal with all the trimmings.
When it comes to complementing the turkey, choose fresh seasonal ingredients. Not only do they offer the best quality, but sticking with seasonal favorites is usually more cost-effective, as well. Holiday Butternut Squash with Apples and Cranberries or Savory Braised Green Beans are both so easy and so impressive. And for dessert there is nothing better than a decadent Chocolate Pecan Pie.
Fortunately, this is one holiday where guests are usually more than happy to help out. To help manage your stress level, ask your them to pitch in by bringing a side dish or dessert – if they have a particular specialty, all the better. Or, you can pick themes — old family favorites or new classics and have everyone bring a recipe to swap.
Whatever you decide to do, put the focus on what’s most important — spending time with the people who are dear to you.