Inspired by all of the sports shows on television and radio that have been reviewing and discussing the Thanksgiving Day football games, I have decided to invest some effort in reviewing my Thanksgiving dinner and carrying forward the lessons I learned to make my upcoming holiday entertaining all the more successful.
We had a great dinner with great company, but in the process of preparing and entertaining, I made some observations that might be helpful hints for you, too:
Set your table the night before. I tried this for the first time and it made a huge difference. I was able to relax and have fun while cooking without worrying about the finishing touches, plus I got to admire it all day.
Make sure that the dishwasher is empty before entertaining, so dirty dishes have a place to go.
Make sure that kitchen trash and recycling containers are emptied before entertaining.
Invest in good dishtowels and have plenty handy. I like cotton bar mops that I buy in packs of twelve.
Have storage containers and lids ready for packing leftovers.
Line pans with foil to minimize clean up.
Make as many dishes ahead as you can so you can enjoy your guests.
Opt for ease and convenience. We made our stuffing in a slow cooker, and it could not have been easier or more fool proof.
Last but not least: I made a batch of Peanut Butter Buckeyes for my husband, which made him so appreciative that he offered to do the dishes himself.
Have a great entertaining tip to share? Tell us about it.