holiday cooking tips to save time......and our sanity

[goofymom/pop]

Ok ladies (and gents if we have any visiting) what are some of your secrets to getting it all done in time for dinner on the holiday?

Trying a new one this year. My DSIL told me to cook my mashed potatoes early in the day and keep them warm in the crockpot. Has anyone done this? I am going to try it....gee I hope it works....or we will be potatoeless....

Do you all do your stuffing the night before?

Got my dishes rinsed (been packed away), table expanded, cleaning the house tonight (taking a dis break), hubby has hip surgery on Weds so I need all the short cuts I can get for Thursdays meal.....

 

[buckylarue]

I'll be chopping up the onions & celery for the stuffing the day before, keeping them in plastic bags in the fridge so I can just mix it up quick Thursday AM. I am also going to try the crock pot potatoes thing, since I never seem to have enough burners on the stovetop for everything.

 

[bclydia]

Oh dear! I read this and thought, Hmmm I wonder why they would be doing all this prep now! Christmas isn't for another 5 weeks!
Ooops! Forgot that you haven't had Thanksgiving yet!
Enjoy!
Lydia

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

Let everyone else do the cooking! We are so busy going from house to house on Thanksgiving and Christmas that I never have to worry about it. Sometimes its great to have a large family. Of course I'm sure it would be different if we had kids, but then DFi would be the one cooking, the women in my family just don't cook, it's a guy thing for us. Always has been and I am sure not about to break tradition!

 

[inky dinky doo]

Here's a recipe that can easily be prepared the night before, refrigerated, and then, baked just before serving.

Holiday Potatoes

9 baking potatoes, peeled and chopped
1/2 c. (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temp.
12 oz. cream cheese, room temp.
3/4 c. sour cream
salt and pepper to taste

Place potatoes in large saucepan and add water to cover. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer over medium heat until tender. Drain. Place potatoes in mixer bowl. Cut the butter and cream cheese into small pieces and add to the potatoes. Beat with mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in the sour cream and season with salt. At this point, it can be served immediately or refrigerated overnight and reheated in a buttered casserole at 350 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes. Enjoy!

 

[goofymom/pop]

how are these potatoes with gravy...they sound yummy, but more like the type you would eat without the gravy.

 

[Spinning]

Those potatoes are yummy with or with out! I also add garlic to mine! YUM! Favorite part of the meal!

 

[Twigs]

I really like that crock pot idea, I'm going to try that!

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

One thing I do is get ALL my baking for the holiday season out of the way ahead of time (well except for Thanksgiving pies). Saturday DD & I spent the whole day in a marathon baking session - all of the cookies, breads, etc. Once they are cool we package them up (I even precut the brownies and some of the quick breads) and into the freezer they go! Pull them out as needed throughout the season. Making large batches actually takes less time than baking smaller ones multiple times - especially in the clean up. And I don't have to scrunch baking time in when things get busier.

Deb

 

[blewits]

I have 9 pecan pies in the freezer now. Also one pound cake. Seal-a-Meal is a beautiful thing.

Pies are for Thanksgiving & Christmas.

I made my mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving Sunday night. Put them in a huge glad ware container and will reheat them in the microwave Thursday. Works great. Just heat for about 2 or 3 minutes at a time, stirring in between. No one will ever know!

Will be making the deviled eggs tonight.

Wendy

 

[bigsis1970]

I make my stuffing the night before after cooking I use and Ice cream scoop and put a scoop in a muffin tin and then just bake them till warm with the Turkey. I also do pies & bread the night before. Interesting about the crockpot for the mashed pot. might have to try it.. Michelle

 

[JulianneCP]

I don't cook My family assigns me the rolls!! Oh and this year I have to bring drinks too. Can't burn that!

 

[wdw_dine_junkie]

I plan on cooking the sweet potatoes the night before and mixing them with the rest of the ingredients and parking them in the fridge. Then I'll top them with the butter/pecan/brown sugar topping in the morning and bake it then.

Mashed potatoes and Cornbread dressing I do the night before, no problems.

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

DD reminded me of one other time saver (well 2 actually) that we use. For those cut out cookies we often sprinkle with colored sugars so we don't have to frost (or worry about frosting sticking to the bottom of the cookie on top!). Many years I've used the pre-cut cookies that you can get ready to bake at the food warehouses (Gordon Food Service here) and IF we frost use the premade canisters of frosting with some food coloring mixed in.
Deb

 

[kaddjr]

I cook my bird the night before- upside down and in an oven bag. When it's done, my DH carves it up (what's still on the bone that is- it's usually falling apart) and puts it in a large baking dish w/the juices. It's great not having to deal w/the mess the next day.

Let's see...I do all of the pies the day before- except the sugar cream since I just take it out of the freezer. Anything that needs to be chopped- nuts, celery, onions, etc., I do the day before. I make the cheesecake the day before. Also, I boil eggs for deviled eggs and make any dips/spreads the day before.

I must admit, I usually have help. For my family, the holidays are a joint venture, so to speak. We have our meals at my parents' house (just a few blocks away) at noon. Mom, my sister (this year), and I split up the cooking tasks so it's not all on one person and that helps a bunch! Especially at Christmas- let's me spend more time with the family during gift opening.

Thanks to whoever posted about the potatoes in the crock pot! I will be trying that trick this year 'cuz I'm always worried about the potatoes getting cold!