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Epic Thanksgiving Food Preparation

turkey out of the oven

Miami Party Rental planners love the Halloween treats however now it’s all about Thanksgivings pies and turkey. That’s right, Thanksgiving has begun and we’re hungry for some turkey!

If it’s snuck up on you, don’t stress, Party Rentals Miami specialists have made a convenient hosting manual to help guide you through this enormous day.

 Read on for incredible tips for choosing the ideal turkey, arranging the most delicious of menus, and preparing in the days before so you can overwhelm your visitors with your culinary and epic party planning skills come Thanksgiving dinner. 

Turkey time

Turkey preparation

 Get your turkey at least one week in advance by going to your local market store or with today’s modern technology order it online. Please don’t make the mistake of driving to the supermarket on Thanksgiving morning searching for a turkey when you have plenty of time to buy it early! 

Plan Your Menu 

Regardless if you have Thanksgiving food favorites that your family eats every year or you want to try different things with new menus, start thinking of what you’ll make. For most gatherings, you can serve 2-3 appetizers, 3-4 sides, 1-2 mains (counting the turkey), and 2-3 treats, so there’s unquestionably something for everybody.

 As you’re arranging, know of your kitchen space. If you have a small oven, then the turkey will take all the space. Don’t worry, pick sides you can cook on your stove, in your microwave, or food that you can leave out at room temperature. 

Food Ides plus much more

Thanksgiving-food-tray

The main event

  • Turkey
  • Vegetarian main dishes

Drinks

  • Wine (Red, White, and Bubbly)
  • The Gingersnap
  • Wassail
  • English Harvest
  • Selection of Sodas and Sparkling Water

Appetizers

  • Lamb Sausage in Puff Pastry
  • Fig Bruschetta
  • Gin Marinated Olives
  • Brie and Cranberry Puff Pastry Bites
  • Spinach, Bacon, and Onion Dip

Side dishes

  • Cranberry Fruit Conserve
  • Perfect Mashed Potatoes
  • Ultra-Crispy New Potatoes with Garlic, Herbs, and Lemon
  • Caramelized Carrot Mash
  • Killer Garlic Rolls
  • Pan-Roasted Brussels sprouts with Brown Butter and Toasted Pecans
  • Pan Gravy

Deserts

  • Old Fashioned Pumpkin Pie
  • Chocolate Bread and Butter Pudding
  • Caramel Pecan Tart
  • Pumpkin, Caramel, and Toffee Crunch Parfaits
  • Carrot Cake with Maple-Cream Cheese Frosting

Prep Work

Women Grocery shopping

How essential is prepping the food before the big dinner? Other than the turkey, prepping the food can either ruin or enhance your big dinner significantly. When Thanksgiving comes along, you’ll have a more relaxed day knowing you only have to put the turkey in the oven and make a side or two.

Here’s a list of prep work: 

Plan to have two separate shopping trips. One about one week before so you can load up on non-perishables or things with longer expiration dates, and the other a few days before Thanksgiving for all your fresh food items and last-minute ingredients. 

  1. From knives to a meat thermometer, ensure you have all the items to pull off Thanksgiving dinner.
  2. Check your plate and tableware—and call a party rental store if you need more items such as chairs and tables especially for significant dinner parties.
  3. Also, check to see if your turkey roasting dish fits in the oven!

Prepare your food

Thanksgiving food prep

If you purchased a frozen turkey, then take it out to defrost a few days early. If you’ve chosen to prepare your turkey, then do this a day or two early so the turkey taste much better. 

Make desserts a few days early if possible. You can buy or make your homemade pies the day before Thanksgiving and leave them at room temperature so it does not occupy a valuable refrigerator room. 

See what sides or appetizers you can make a day or two before so you may only need to reheat it in the microwave. 

Cut and prep your veggies the day before, make your appetizers, mash your mashed potatoes, and do some other dish prep. 

Put all serving platters out so you know you have enough for all of your dishes. 

Set the table. 

Enjoy the Big Day

First, prepare the turkey, after all, it is the superstar! Preheat your stove, get your formula, and check the cooking time. Next, take out the turkey from your refrigerator an hour before roasting so it can come down to room temperature.

When you finish cooking the turkey, let it sit while you get the rest of your side dishes all set. Don’t stress if your turkey is hot—I believe it’s better to have hot side dishes and gravy. 

When the turkey has left the oven, put in your side dishes while it’s hot. You can turn your microwave into the hero of great importance if you come up short on oven space.

Since you could warm for a few minutes’ side dishes like pureed potatoes or carrot squash. Also, remember your top burners—it’s possible to warm pureed potatoes in a bowl over hot water. Use all available space to get the job done!

Put your turkey back in the refrigerator after dinner since the best part of Thanksgiving is the leftovers!