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Holiday Entertaining Guide




Source of Recipe


Kraft Kitchens


Recipe Introduction


Nothing beats the joys of sitting down to a delicious Holiday meal. But, plenty of hard work goes into any feast. So that everyone can enjoy the day to the fullest, split up chores among all the household members. When your holiday event arrives, follow our tips all should flow smoothly!




List of Ingredients




All you want or need to prepare for the holidays. Follow Guide.

Recipe



About a Month Ahead:
Plan the menu (number of appetizers and side dishes.) Keep a running list on your refrigerator so you can add or delete items.

Consider your oven space, the number of burners you have, and your refrigeration space when planning your menu.

Don't plan to serve more than 2 dishes that require last-minute preparation.

Consider your available space for warming and chilling when planning your appetizers. At least some of the appetizers should be able to be made in advance.

Incorporate the dishes that guests will bring into your menu plan; it's best if they bring dishes that don't require refrigeration.

Not sure how much to make to feed your crowd? Click here to see how much you should prepare.

Order fresh turkey. If you’re buying a frozen turkey, you still have time, but don’t wait until the last minute.

Don’t forget to start your recipe search for appetizer and desserts recipes to add a few new tastes to your holiday table.



4 Days Before:
Start defrosting frozen turkey in refrigerator. (If turkey is still frozen when you are ready to use it, run it under cold water.)

Make a shopping list and purchase non-perishables. Don’t forget you can use our Shopping List feature. After you’ve selected a recipe from kraftfoods.com, simply click on “add to shopping list” at the top of the recipe page and all the ingredients will be listed in a printable shopping list for you. You can add as many recipes worth of ingredients as you like.

Shop in the early morning or late evening to save time at the check-out line.

Stock up on ice to use for beverages.



2 Days Before:
Buy fresh produce for side dishes and salads.

Prepare foods that can be made ahead of time. This often gives flavors time develop.
Good ideas are:
Cranberry sauce, such as Brandied Cranberry Sauce
Soups, such as Creamy Squash Soup or Seafood Bisque (add cream or sour cream to soups when reheating just before serving)
Gelatin-based dishes, which can be made up to 2 days before, such as Cranberry Fruit Mold or Spiced Cranberry Orange Mold
Cheesecakes, such Almond Crunch Pumpkin Cheesecake or Orange Chocolate Swirl Cheesecake



Day Before:

Make pies, cakes and and other desserts, such as:
Praline Pumpkin Mousse
Mile High Fudge Brownie Pie
Apple Walnut Bread Pudding


Make casserole side dishes, such as Classic Green Bean Casserole, Cheesy Broccoli Casserole or Broccoli and Corn Scallop.

Arrange flowers and decorate centerpiece.

Get out the cooking and serving utensils, pitchers, platters, gravy boats, and pots and pans you'll need for the next day.

Pick up fresh turkey.

Set the adults’ and kids’ tables. See our creative ideas for a Lily Flower Napkin Fold in Tips and Techniques.

You can make garnishes such as Green Onion Flowers and Carrot Curls - view instructions in our Holiday Helper Cooking School section.

Make a timetable which lets you know when a dish is to be taken out of the fridge, put in the oven, made on top of the stove, or assembled on the spot.



Morning of the Dinner:
The fridge will be fairly packed; keep an insulated cooler and plenty of ice handy for extra refrigeration needs. Chill wine or other beverages in fridge or outside on porch.

Give yourself 20 minutes to stuff the turkey.

Try our STOVE TOP-In-The-Bird Directions. Remember, using the microwave is a great way to save time when preparing STOVE TOP Stuffing.

Turkey needs to cool for a half an hour after it comes out of the oven. It's a good idea to make the gravy while the turkey rests.

Leave about 15 minutes for carving the turkey. Check out our video for inspiration.

Here’s a tip for Mashed Potatoes without the Rush.

Check your running list to make sure you haven’t forgotten any dishes.