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Let the rest of the world sweat over a hot stove for hours preparing their six-course Thanksgiving feasts. While you take it easy and actually enjoy your holiday! Here's how to throw together a stylish and sumptuous dinner without all the much-ado. The best part is -- aside from the shopping, the prep should take you less than two hours... which leaves time for a hot, relaxing bath before all your crazy relatives arrive!
- One Stop, One Shop. Get everything you need at your local gourmet mega-store (like Whole Foods) or topnotch supermarket. Start by raiding the produce section for goodies to eat and decorate with. Load up on autumnal fruits like figs, cranberries and pears -- along with prewashed arugula or spinach, presliced mushrooms, and bagged ready-to-cook Brussels sprouts or cauliflower. And don't forget flowers to sprinkle around your home. Next, hit the paper and party aisles for candles, cocktail napkins, and ribbon. The deli section is essential to preparing a nearly cook-free dinner -- choose a creamy soup (squash, potato, or carrot) and a selection of vege side dishes. Check out the handy shopping list below for a full rundown of items and ideas, from soup to nuts.
- Delish Decorations. Gather a selection of glass containers (vases, bowls) and fill them with a colorful array of items -- purple figs, limes, green pears, etc. We love decorating with unexpected autumn colors like deep purple and dusty green. Group several containers of different heights in the middle of your dining table and scatter simple glass votive candles all around (votives won't drip or cause a hazard when guests are passing the gravy to and fro). Place vases of flowers around your home (in the entryway, guest bath, coffee table) along with more bowls of fruits. If you need last-minute vase fillers, raid your pantry for peppercorns, sea salt, dried rice, lentils, or coffee beans.
- A Tantalizing Table. Throw on a neutral tablecloth (everyone should own a machine-washable cream cloth) and put out dishes. If you don't have a matching set for a large group, it can be fun to mix and match coordinating dishes. Place a small cluster of purple grapes on each plate, along with a napkin tied with a cinnamon stick and piece of ribbon.
- Amazingly Easy Apps. Whip together an impressive spread of olives, nuts, figs, cheeses, and crackers. It's all in the presentation -- buy cheeses that are rich and diverse (from a bleu cheese to mini mozzarella balls) -- fancier nuts like cashews or Marcona almonds -- and gourmet crackers and crostini. Display them artfully on platters for visual (and palate-pleasing) wow.
- Dressed-Up Dinner. Start with a soup course. Heat and pour your deli soup into bowls, and garnish with grated cheese. Follow with salad -- fill single-serving plates with a handful of prewashed arugula or spinach topped with chopped mushrooms, nuts, dried currants, and a drizzling of vinaigrette. Next, wow guests with the main course: sliced turkey (homemade or from the deli) moistened with hot broth and sprinkled with fresh sage; roasted veges (Brussels sprouts or cauliflower tossed in olive oil, salt and pepper and roasted at 350 degrees until done); deli side dishes; and bread. Use grated Parmesan, fresh cracked pepper, or herbs to dress up the dishes.
- Drink Up. Keep beverages simple. Offer apple juice -- we like sparkling cider because it feels festive -- along with a nice wine for those who want to toast the occasion.
- Just Desserts. Everybody's a purist when it comes to Thanksgiving sweets. Some can't imagine a holiday without pumpkin pie -- others swoon for hot apple pie à la mode, or salivate over a slice of pecan. Whatever your choice, don't feel guilty serving storebought -- the options are yummy and just offer fresh whipped cream and a sprinkling of cinnamon to give it that homemade touch.
ONE-STOP SHOPPING LIST
Fresh Figs
Apples
Pears
Cranberries
Arugula or Spinach (prewashed)
Fresh Sage (and other fresh herbs for garnishing)
Mushrooms (presliced)
Cinnamon Sticks
Flowers
Nuts (whole nuts for appetizer platter and chopped nuts for salad)
Crackers & Crostini
Cheeses (for appetizer platter, and grated Parmesan for garnishing)
Bread
Cocktail Napkins
Candles
Pies
Soup
Turkey
Vege Side Dishes
Balsamic Dressing
Turkey or Chicken Broth
Aluminum Baking Dishes
Vanilla Ice Cream
Whipping Cream
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