Usually we travel home (New York) for the holidays but, this year we’ve decided to stay in North Carolina where we’ve settled to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas. We are going to travel after the New Year. So, I guess I need to get started with my preparations huh…
Today, I am looking at the amount of time I have allotted to get myself together for next week Thursday. I started to pick up non perishable grocery items little by little to stock up for our day to “Give Thanks” I hope to finish all of my shopping this weekend and not have to worry about needing anything else. I’ve made a grocery list and checked it twice to make sure I won’t have to double back to the Supermarket. Me being the procrastinator that I am have been in the grocery store on Thanksgiving Day which is not fun. Everything is practically gone and it’s always that one seasoning your missing and end up going to three or four different supermarkets and they’re all out! That was my experience a few years ago. I ran out of nutmeg. That was horrible! I was determined to find nutmeg so I’d be able to make my pies. FINALLY, after the third store I found it. I vowed never to wait until the last minute to go grocery shopping for Thanksgiving again. So, what’s on my menu this year? Let’s see what I’ve come up with so far.
For my meats, I am doing a Turkey Of course! Honey Baked Ham, and Curry Chicken. I needed to add a little Island flavor to the menu. My sides are candied yams, collard greens, steamed white rice, macaroni & cheese, cranberry sauce, string beans and potatoes, homemade gravy, and corn bread. For dessert I am making about four sweet potato pies, rum balls, 1 chocolate pie, 1 sweet potato souffle, and a chocolate cake. I hope I’m not missing anything! I like a little variety and am very indecisive.
So, I am planning to go shopping for all of my grocery items this weekend. I need to go through my cabinets and make sure all my seasonings are in stock and see what I may need to replenish, so that I don’t have an oops like a few years ago. Most of my menu items I make from scratch but, I am going to cut corners this year and cheat a little. I haven’t chosen which items I’m going to cheat on yet. I better get a move on, that’s going to affect my grocery list big time!
Next week this time hopefully I’ll be pulling the Turkey out the oven. I think I’m going to start around 5:00 or 6:00 a.m. I’ll do the desserts the night before. I’m doing the rum balls this weekend to give the rum a chance to soak in really well. I hope to be finished in the kitchen around noon or 1 o’ clock at the latest so I can relax and eat for the rest of the day. It’s great that it’s going to be a long weekend also. Next Wednesday is my Friday! Woot! Woot!
So, what’s on your menu and how are your preparations going?