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Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,181
Registered: ‎02-05-2011

Do You Cook Side Dishes Ahead?

i'm tempted to start cooking side dishes today instead of thanksgiving tomorrow and just reheating them.  Do you cook ahead and if so what dishes.  There will just be two of us this year and I want it to be relaxing.  

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 6,602
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Do You Cook Side Dishes Ahead?

Yes sweet potatoes in oven right now. 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 14,968
Registered: ‎05-23-2015

Re: Do You Cook Side Dishes Ahead?

Ina Garten always says to make as many things ahead that you can. 

" You are entitled to your opinion. But you are not entitled to your own facts."
Daniel Patrick Moynihan
Honored Contributor
Posts: 8,074
Registered: ‎10-03-2014

Re: Do You Cook Side Dishes Ahead?

I start two days before Thanksgiving.  Reheat on Thanksgiving.  The only problem mashed potatoes take a long time to reheat in a big bowl.  I reheat first and put in oven to stay hot.  

 

I think everything tastes better when made a day or two early.  Flavors blend together.   

Honored Contributor
Posts: 11,923
Registered: ‎03-19-2010

Re: Do You Cook Side Dishes Ahead?

My side dishes are prepped and in the freezer, but St. Clair prepped and froze them for me.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 32,486
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Do You Cook Side Dishes Ahead?

For a number of years when I took the meal 250 miles to my mom, I would make gravy ahead and freeze, or at least stock sometimes, freeze dressing ahead, and do as much as I could.

 

We also switched to baked sweet potatoes only, topping them hot out of the oven with brown sugar, butter, or even marshmallows while they were hot and we all liked them so much better than in those too sweet casseroles. 

 

If I were doing it today, it would be a boneless breast only on the day, or Ina Garten style a day ahead, sliced with broth in the serving dish and heated on the day.

 

Nobody is gonna know, and if they care send them home immediately without pie. 

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,213
Registered: ‎03-30-2014

Re: Do You Cook Side Dishes Ahead?

My family always had their meal midday.  Always actually enjoyed the marathon of not starting until the day.  Only chopped prior to them.  Peaceful in the dark alone with your crust.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 18,612
Registered: ‎10-25-2010

Re: Do You Cook Side Dishes Ahead?

No, my family doesn't like warmed over food.

 

I make everything fresh the day of.

Valued Contributor
Posts: 713
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Do You Cook Side Dishes Ahead?

I cooked my sweet potatoes on Sunday , but will not put together the entire casserole until Thursday.  I just put them in a ziplock.  I already cut up the celery for the stuffing and put in a ziplock.  Also made jello cranberry salad and pumpkin pie.

Super Contributor
Posts: 330
Registered: ‎03-11-2010

Re: Do You Cook Side Dishes Ahead?

Always cook ahead

 

Stuffing...not in the bird...then micro the day of (use celery, butter, wine, onion,diced apples,chicken stock, oilve oil , bells seasoning...)

 

Gravey...use wine mushrooms and canned...doctored up is great...and like Erma Bombeck used to say...Gravey is a beverage, not a teaspoon

 

Carrotts--lemon and butter and parsley--micro day of

 

Sweet Potatos...all ready to go in the oven once the bird is taken out to rest

 

cranberries---OJ Vodka and sugar cooked together--in fridge ready to hit the table

 

Mashed potatoes---ready for the crockpot---no muss no fuss...

 

thin baby green beans, mushrooms,onions wine all cooked...Micro day of