The easiest #Thanksgiving #feast is one you don’t have to #cook. But let’s face it: You won’t get the same satisfaction or quality out of a catered meal unless you spend a lot of money. To take the stress and expense out of preparing the #holiday feast, limit the number dishes you plan to serve and create a timeline of what you can make ahead and what need to cook that day, says RecipeTinEats. For example, dressing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and pumpkin pie will be taste just fine — maybe better — if you make them ahead of time and reheat or plate them just before serving. #NoFailFallCooking
Tag: cooking
Fall Appetizers That Outshine the Mains
The #Thanksgiving feast has grown to encompass so many signature dishes that it takes hours or days to stage and rarely starts on time. More problematic, some guests will hold off on food until they arrive at the festivities, risking “hangry” attitudes. Appetizers and snacks can fill those voids during the holidays, and many are so tasty that you can skip the mains altogether. Try cooking up seasonal starters such as a pumpkin hummus, baked brie or sweet potato rounds, The Every Girl suggests, for your next dish to pass or serve at a holiday feast, decorating night, gift-wrapping party or casual get-together. #NoFailFallCooking
Get Creative With Leftover Turkey
A memorable #Thanksgiving should offer not only the #holiday feast, but leftovers, too! One easy and satisfying meal you can make with the extra turkey is a classic pot pie. If you have the time and energy, make a pie crust from only five basic ingredients (flour, butter, sugar, water and salt), or use a ready-made one from the refrigerator case (no judgement here). Shred the turkey and add your favorite vegetables — onions, carrots, peas, green beans, mushrooms, celery and corn are fair game. Add a splash of heavy cream and spices, and the filling is ready! Put the top crust on and pop it in the oven. #NoFailFallCooking
Soup Is Good Food for Fall
“Soup is good food,” the ads used to say. And really, is anything more satisfying in the #fall and #winter than a big pot of hot soup on the stovetop? The regular rotation at The Organizing Blog’s kitchen includes split pea, black bean, chili, white-bean chicken chili, curried butternut squash, tomato bisque, shrimp and corn chowder, lentil sausage and gumbo, but there are dozens of recipes that can satisfy a crowd with seasonal ingredients. Long story short: If it’s edible, you can make soup out of it, so brainstorm the ingredients you like and go to the search engine for ideas! #NoFailFallCooking
The Holidays Are Coming in Hot
It happens every year — no sooner do the leaves start to turn and suddenly, it’s the #holiday season. This year, however, the #holidays are coming in particularly hot, so you can strap in for a wild couple of months of entertaining, socializing and shopping.
If you think that calendar “creep” is getting worse, you aren’t imagining it. “‘Summerween’ became a July phenom, pumpkin spice lattés launched at Starbucks in August, and Hallmark kicked off its Christmas movie hype in September,” says the advertising blog Muse by Clios.
With the economy on shaky ground and inflation on the rise, advertisers are focusing on value. You may have less money, time and energy to spread around during the season, not to mention fewer days to shop after a late Thanksgiving. How will you handle the season without succumbing to stress?
First, manage expectations of yourself, says UC Davis Health. Don’t overschedule. Calendar events and list your responsibilities. Simplify travel plans to reduce the time spent in cars and airports. Take a break when you fell stressed from #shopping, #cooking and #cleaning.
To stay within budget, manage your gift-giving. You don’t have to spend money you don’t have or give every single person you know a gift. You may be able to make some of the gifts you give or #thrift a few items at a discount. Crafting or baking homemade goods might even become a holiday tradition!
Make a list and check it twice, says the American Bankers Association. Note the people for whom you plan to buy, what your price range is and a few ideas for gifts. Look for bargains on the targeted gifts and (try to) resist impulse buying onscreen and in stores.
The holidays are also a season for giving to charity. About 1 million #veterans nationwide rely on SNAP benefits, which were recently interrupted; you can #donate to the local food bank to help solve some of that food insecurity at least temporarily.
You can also schedule a #donation #pickup at ClothingDonations.org to benefit #veterans at any time of year. Your lightly used #clothing and #household goods will be resold to fund programs that target food and housing insecurity, veteran health care, and more.
We’re in the thick of the holiday season already, but don’t stress. Get #organized — sort out what you need to do and tackle those essential tasks one by one. Then, kick back and enjoy!