Food Prep Tips For Cooking & Hosting Thanksgiving Dinner

Are you hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year?

Over the years, I've hosted holiday parties many times and I'd like to share a few stress-free tips that will make your Thanksgiving dinner a smashing success.

These are my best tips regarding food prep and cooking for dinner hosts who will be preparing the big meal on Thanksgiving Day...

Enjoy!

Turkey Tips

You must properly cook your turkey.

Internal temperature must be at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit in order to be completely cooked.

Do not slow cook a turkey that is stuffed, because meat can become contaminated with bacteria which will cause botulism or food poisoning.

Stuffing Tips

Allow 3/4 cup of stuffing per person. If the turkey won't hold all the stuffing, place it in a casserole, add a dab of butter and bake for approximately 1 hour.

Stuffing must reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit in order to be safe to eat. Use a food thermometer to check it.

You can use whole wheat, French, sourdough, cornbread, white or sandwich bread for stuffing. Choose loaves that are firm. Fresh bread doesn't make good stuffing.

Cube the bread and allow it to dry overnight.

Prepare dry ingredients for the stuffing the night before and add seasoning. Do not add any liquid.

To add flavor to stuffing, replace some of the liquid with apricot or peach juice.

Never add nuts to stuffing without checking with guests. Some people are extremely allergic to nuts.

Gravy Tips

When preparing turkey gravy, use pan drippings from the turkey.

Use all-purpose flour or cornstarch for thickening. Or, if you prefer, turkey dressing can be made with roux.

Make 1/3 cup of gravy per person. If everyone loves gravy, then make extra -- at least 1/2 cup per person.

Be sure the gravy is completely cooked. Boil for 4 minutes, stirring constantly.

If you won't be serving the gravy immediately, lay a piece of plastic wrap on the top to prevent a crust or film from forming.

Serve gravy in a fondue pot in order to keep it warm.

Mashed Potato Tips

Prepare mashed potatoes approximately 2 hours before the meal.

Place in a crock pot on low heat to keep them warm. You can even serve directly out of the crockpot for easy clean up.

Dessert Tips

Fruit pies can be baked a few days before Thanksgiving Day. Place them in your freezer once they're completely cooled. Remove from freezer to thaw early Thanksgiving morning.

If serving cheesecake, prepare it the evening before and place it in the refrigerator overnight. Add fruit prior to serving.

If making pumpkin pie, use this easy method for cleaning and peeling the pumpkin:

Cut the pumpkin in half with a sharp knife.

Remove fiber and seeds.

Place pumpkin halves on a platter, cut side down.

Microwave until pumpkin is tender when knife is inserted.

Remove from microwave.

Use a spoon to remove pumpkin flesh from skin.

Cool thoroughly, and prepare pumpkin as usual.