Thanksgiving family feast

What it is

The traditional Thanksgiving dinner for extended family: turkey and all the trimmings, a kids’ table with crafts, and a dessert buffet of pies. A good timing plan is the secret.

Plan ahead

• One week before: order the turkey and plan the menu. Write a cooking timetable working back from dinner time.
• Two days before: make cranberry sauce, pie pastry and the stuffing base.
• The day before: bake pies, prep vegetables, set the tables.

Timing plan (for a 5-6kg turkey, dinner at 3pm)

• 9:30am: turkey in the oven
• 12:30pm: potatoes in to roast; casserole dishes prepared
• 1:30pm: check turkey temperature (74°C in the thigh)
• 2:00pm: rest the turkey; side dishes into the oven; make gravy
• 3:00pm: carve and serve

The menu

Turkey, gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, green beans, cranberry sauce, bread rolls; then pumpkin, pecan and apple pies.

Kids’ table

Brown paper tablecloth to colour on, handprint turkey crafts and “I’m thankful for…” cards.

Tips

• Use a slow cooker to keep mash warm and free up the hob.
• Assign helpers: one for drinks, one for clearing.