Thanksgiving Ideas

Want to share ideas for Thanksgiving dinner, that can be done in advance? We're having around 25 people for dinner, and I love to prepare early, if possible. I'd love some ideas. Also, some fun, inexpensive table ideas if you'd want to share.

I read of one chef that always cooks 2 turkeys, one the day of dinner, and another one or two days before. She would make the gravy ahead with the neck. She would slice this turkey on a platter so it was ready, then have the other ready for dinner, but serve some, and have lots of leftovers.


This recipe if froom a friend in Portland who said it is published every year in their newspaper because they get many requests.

Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes

5 lbs. potatoes, peeled and quartered (about 15 medium)
6 oz. light cream cheese
1 c. sour cream
2 tsp. onion pwdr.
1 tsp. salt
2 egg whites, slightly beaten, or 1 egg
1 Tb. butter
Cook potatoes. Mash. Add all ingredients but butter. Spray a 9 x 13 pan, or crock pot. Refrigerate up to 7 days. If using the crock pot, remove from fridge 3 hours before reheating. Dot with butter. Heat on low setting, 3 hours, stirring once or twice.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone...

if it's your year to bring a dish somewhere else...ENJOY!!!!