CrockPot Mashed PotatoesA great time saver at Thanksgiving is to make your mashed potatoes earlier in the day and put them in your crockpot on "warm". Just give them a stir every once in awhile and put the lid back on.
Planning Ahead for Holiday CookingI have already started my cooking for the holidays. Last week, my store had over ripe bananas for 9 cents a pound. I bought all they had and it is now in the freezer.
Prepare Food in Advance for Holiday MealsI always prepare holiday desserts a day or two ahead of time. I peel and cut my potatoes the night before the big day and then place them in a pot of water and store it overnight in the fridge.
Don't Cook Your Turkey in the OvenOne way we have found to decrease the time in the kitchen on Thanksgiving and other holidays is to use an alternate source for cooking the main course - turkey, ham, etc.
Preparing Dressing or Stuffin'When preparing Dressing or Stuffin', for Thanksgiving or any other meal. Always prepare this dish either in a glass or Pyrex brand, or a roaster pan. Not in an aluminum baking pan...
Measure Ahead of TimeEspecially when making a big meal, like Thanksgiving dinner, have everything measured out ahead of time before you start cooking. It saves lots of time!
Organizing the Cooking of Your Thanksgiving MealFind pans/baking dishes that fit into your oven somehow like a puzzle, allowing for air flow. Now create your menu to make ALL of these "casseroles" to bake at the same time...
Baste a Turkey With CheeseclothCover a turkey with cheesecloth soaked in melted butter or olive oil, and it will baste itself! Remove it during the last 30 minutes of baking to let the skin get brown.
By Robin
Save Those Pumpkin SeedsWhen carving pumpkins for pie, don't throw out the seeds! Wash off the gooey stuff, spread on a cookie sheet, sprinkle with Lawry's (seasoning) salt and bake at 375 for about 10 minutes.
Fluffier Mashed PotatoesAdd 1/2 teaspoon baking powder to potatoes and whip them with a hand blender!
By ElectricChameleon
Add Soup to StuffingI have done my stuffing in the crockpot and have added a can of cream of chicken or celery soup to the top.
Use the Crockpot for StuffingPrepare your favorite stuffing and bake it in your crockpot while the turkey occupies the oven. You can prep this the day before and refrigerate, it is so much easier than stuffing it into the turkey.
