How to Have a Stress-Free Thanksgiving

November 4, 2015
Uncategorized

Thanksgiving, or really any big feast, can invoke a sense of stress and panic in even the most seasoned cook. We want our meal to be perfect and tasty, warm and inviting, ready on time and relaxed.

My mamma was forever throwing dinner parties, and Thanksgiving was no exception. With close-knit friends and our own big family, she often cooked for around twenty people. She seemed to serve every meal stress-free, preparing a medley of dishes with ease and seeming enjoyment. So you can imagine my mom was the first person I called when Tracy (home-cooking superstar) and I schemed to create a video in the Early Morning Farm kitchen that would help you plan a stress-free Thanksgiving. Yes, stress-free.

Emma Frisch How to Have a Stress-Free Thanksgiving Ingredient

Mamma reinforced that the key to success is not in the pudding, it’s in the planning. This includes shopping, perhaps the most tedious part of the process, and also why Tracy and I love to start with a CSA box of fresh vegetables. Our produce is already selected for us, and we can focus on the pantry basics and other Thanksgiving staples we need. With local veggies, we can truly give thanks for the bounty that surrounds us in the Finger Lakes!

Watch this video for a quick overview of how to prepare for a stress-free Thanksgiving, and then download our menu planner and prep tips. Below, you’ll also find a sample menu with recipe links to help you get started!

Sample Menu:

Thanksgiving Turkey & Gravy

Mashed Root Vegetables

Savory Roasted Acorn Squash

Cumin Scented Kale

Fresh Maple Ginger Cranberry Sauce

Cornbread Stuffing with Bacon & Leeks

Prep Schedule & Menu Planner:

Thanksgiving Prep Schedule – We’ll walk you through all the steps for an EASY and stress-free Thanksgiving!

Sample Menu Planner – Filled in for you with our favorite recipes and a shopping list!

Menu Planner – Fill this template in with your favorite recipes!

More Recipes:

Visit my Digital Thanksgiving Cookbook for an entire archive of recipes organized by category.

Leave a Reply