Thanksgiving dinner planning

[worm761]

I am pregnant and if I haven't had her before Thanksgiving then I will be 39 weeks pregnant. I am due December 2nd. I want to start buying dinner and making anything ahead that I can put in the freezer until then. So my question is....what do you make ahead and freeze? and how long can it be frozen? I tire easily these days so I would like to make something here and there, not all at once. Thanks for any help or advice!

 

[SpecialK]

My youngest was born on Dec. 3rd many moons ago, so I can sympathize. Making that Thanksgiving dinner was very tiring. If I had it to do over again I would order the dinner from the local grocery store and just make a couple of sides and desserts. Is that an option for you?

 

[AKL_Megs]

Wow. You will be VERY pregnant!

I think that Thanksgiving will and SHOULD have to be VERY different this year!

I think that you can make mashed potatoes and gravy ahead of time, and freeze them.

Can you do just turkey breasts this year? If so, you can cook and freeze them ahead of time.

I would have a store bought pie.

Stuffing obviously needs to be made the day of... same with any veggies, unless you do canned or those Steamers bags (they DO taste fresh!)

You could put everything in aluminum baking pans the day of and warm it all up!

Next year, Baby's First Thanksgiving, make it up and go ALL OUT!

Congrats!!!

 

[Swimnoid]

Treat yourself and GO OUT!!

 

[JoBird]

Do you have a honey baked ham store near you? Their sides are really really good- you could do a turkey breast at home (Pretty easy-) heat some rolls and get the sides from HBH store.

Don't overdo it-- unless, of course, you want to have a Turkey Day baby.

 

[Disney Ron]

Just a thought ...what about twiced baked potatoes instead of mashed this year. They freeze great and are so easy to reheat.

Dessert suggestions...

Frozen Pumpkin Dessert
http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Frozen-Pumpkin-Dessert

Frozen Pumpkin Pie
http://busycooks.about.com/od/sweetpierecipes/r/frozenpumpkipie.htm

French Apple Pie
http://busycooks.about.com/od/sweetpierecipes/r/frenchappie.htm
•Freeze this pie unbaked for best results. Wrap it well in freezer wrap, then label and freeze. To thaw and bake, place frozen pie on a cookie sheet. Cover loosely with foil and bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 40 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake 35-40 minutes longer until the pie crust and topping are golden and the apples are tender. Let cool and serve.

Mrs. Disney Ron

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Keep it simple. I am not pregnant but I have simplified my T-dinners over time.

How many do you have to cook for?

Frankly I love the suggestion of ordering a meal at your local grocery store.

Yes, it is not the same but at 39 weeks pregnant, I say go for that option.

 

[pennst8r]

Our second son was born Nov 21...a few days before Tday that year. I feel for ya! I was lucky to have inlaws nearby so I didn't cook that year. But I have friends who celebrate Thanksgiving on a different day so they can be with both sides of their family. Is that an option you'd consider? Order out the "real" Thanksgiving day--make it a fun, easy, day with pizza or Chinese. Then once baby's here and things have setteled down, celebrate with a traditional dinner.

 

[clh2]

Sorry - this is not the year for YOU to either cook or host a T-day dinner. And, I am giving you a "get-out of the clean-up" ticket too!

So - if you MUST have T-day dinner at your house...order it in advance from a grocery store, Boston Market, or some place similar.

You're stomach is going to be smooshed...so you won't be able to eat a big dinner anyway!

Good Luck with the baby!

 

[worm761]

Thanks everyone. It will just be me, DBF, DS13, and his mother should be here by then. I know that she can help with some of the stuff. But we live in Florida and she lives in New York. I just know that doing the dishes now wears me out. I can only imagine making the big dinner will exhaust me thoroughly. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and we usually have a big gathering here at the house. Mostly friends since our families are so far away. But it is always fun! Maybe I will order this year and just do the big turkey dinner for Christmas instead. I didn't think of that.

 

[Glynis]

Do you have a honey baked ham store near you? Their sides are really really good- you could do a turkey breast at home (Pretty easy-) heat some rolls and get the sides from HBH store.

Don't overdo it-- unless, of course, you want to have a Turkey Day baby.

This is exactly what happened to me last year. I spent too much time making pies the day before Thanksgiving, not to mention sweet potatoes, corn pudding, etc., and I went into labor the night before Thanksgiving. My little turkey was born at 6:00 Thanksgiving morning. Because he was a c-section, I didn't even get any turkey until the next day. Boo hoo! This year, I'm going nuts with dinner (it's my favorite holiday!)

 

[IluvKingLouis]

We have greatly simplified our menu due to our family size (DH, DD6 , grandma and me).

I put a turkey breast (I think it's Tyson) in the crockpot with a can of cream of mushroom soup, dry sherry, sage, paprika and fresh pepper. It's really good.

I bake a bunch of potatoes, scoop out the insides into a large saucepan, heat milk and butter in the microwave in a glass measuring cup and add it to the saucepan and blend with an electric hand held blender. Super easy. Salt and pepper to taste.

Stuffing is from a box, and the pumpkin pie and apple pie are store bought. I open a can of sweet yams and toss with a can of grapefruit segment in syrup...heat. The veggie is usually brocolli steamed in the microwave. I usually buy croisants from the grocery store for our bread (not very traditional, but so yummy).

I like the idea of buying a full meal from a deli, but if you really want to cook (and if you have folks that will help) it can be simplified.

Good luck and congrats on the new baby.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I always thought Thanksgiving was the easiest holiday to prepare and we have a mini Thanksgiving in my house once a month. While I love the dramatic effect of a whole turkey on the table at Thanksgiving it isn't really necessary. Instead of a gigantic Turkey you need to labor over you can try 1/2 a turkey breast aka turkey london broil or one of those Purdue Boneless breasts that come in the shape of a roast... just stick to the white meat ones because if it doesn't say white meat it can be a bit of a mess.

Apple pie can be picked up at a bakery then just put ice cream on top. Cider at a store. Green beans almondine are fancy but easy. Yams can be microwaved then popped in the oven. The stuff you mix with your stuffing can be mixed the day before and chilled and on Thanksgiving you can just toss it and bake. Whole corn just needs boiling. Cranberries can be store bought or made 2 days ahead. Corn bread can be mixed a while ahead of time and frozen in the pan then defrosted and baked on the day. Heinz gravy is yummy. Soup can be done ahead of time and frozen, we love creamy tomato from Taste of home, super fast and yummy.

I love Thanksgiving but don't think it needs to be hard to be a success.

 

[Christine]

Please just order something.

I had a due date of December 24th and I spent the ENTIRE day of Thanksgiving on my feet. I never recovered after that. My pelvic area hurt, my hips hurt, my legs hurt and I never felt well after being up all day (and I had almost 4 more weeks to go). Up until that point I was doing well.

Making a big dinner, even if done ahead of time, can be exhausting. Just heating things up and standing in the kitchen is going to tire you out.

Try to have someone else do it for you or order from one of the stores that does this type of thing.

 

[ceecee]

Order it at the grocery. Keep it simple.

 

[binny]

My youngest was born on Dec. 3rd many moons ago, so I can sympathize. Making that Thanksgiving dinner was very tiring. If I had it to do over again I would order the dinner from the local grocery store and just make a couple of sides and desserts. Is that an option for you?

I second this idea!

seriously, at least get someone else to help or have anyone bring something!

 

[Binnie]

DD's due date was 12/2. I remember being 185 months pregnant on Thanksgiving, and how very miserable I was.

Go to a restaurant, or someone else's house. Please don't try to do it on your own.

You won't be able to eat much--even if you want to--and you really should be resting not running around the house. Even if everything's pre-made, you would be very tired.