Family Feast | The Game Plan
THE GAME PLAN
With Thanksgiving just over a week away in the US, and the holiday season coming in hot, it’s time to prep and plan ahead for turkey dinner, if that’s on your table this year.
Below is a game plan, from one week before your feast, to one hour before, to help you get ready.
ONE WEEK BEFORE
Order the turkey from your local butcher or stash a fresh or frozen bird in the freezer.
WHICH BIRD TO BUY? 🦃
Organic Turkeys only eat organic.* They're raised without antibiotics or growth hormones.**
Natural Turkeys are farm-raised with no animal by-product feed, no administered growth hormones or use of antibiotics.**
Free-Range Turkeys are farm-raised with continuous, free access to the outdoors. No guarantee birds are raised without antibiotics or hormones.
Self-Basting, Basted, or Injected Turkeys are birds whose breasts are injected with a saline solution and vegetable oil to keep the meat tender and juicy. Frozen Turkey simply means the birds are flash-frozen below 0° as soon as they’re processed.
* No GMO grains, pesticides or animal by-products. ** Processed without added artificial ingredients, preservatives or colouring.
TWO DAYS BEFORE
Pick up your fresh turkey or defrost a turkey in the refrigerator. For defrosting, estimate about 24 fridge thawing time for every 5 lbs (2.26 kg) of turkey.
Prep fresh green beans for Green Bean Casserole. Wrap in a damp cloth; refrigerate. Peel and chop potatoes for Herb & Garlic Mashed Potatoes. Place in a large container and cover with cold water. Stir together sour cream and 1½ tbsp Herb & Garlic Dip Mix. Cover and refrigerate both for up to two days.
Prepare Pumpkin Pie as per recipe; cover and refrigerate. The pie holds well in the fridge for up to 3 days. For best results, do not freeze.
ONE DAY BEFORE
Prep Sage & Apple Stuffing in Multipurpose Steamer. Cover and refrigerate.
Prep veggies for Roasted Rainbow Veggies. Toss with oil and 1½ tbsp Herb & Garlic Dip Mix; cover and refrigerate.
Prepare serving dishes by attaching sticky notes with recipe names for what goes where.
Set the table. Relax before the big day!
FOUR HOURS BEFORE
Roast turkey, about 3 hours for 8 lbs (4 kg) turkey or 45 min for turkey breast. To check doneness, insert an instant-read meat thermometer into the thickest part of the breast. It should read 170° F. Allow up to 30 min resting time to ensure a juicy bird.
ONE HOUR BEFORE
While turkey is roasting, microwave Sage & Apple Stuffing, about 15 min. Transfer to a serving dish; cover.
Transfer green beans to the steamer; add remaining ingredients and microwave, about 10 min. Spoon into a serving dish; cover with foil to keep warm. Place drained potatoes in steamer; finish according to the recipe, about 20 min.
Prepare gravy and set aside in Multipurpose Pot. Remember to stir in pan drippings from the turkey. Reheat before serving. While turkey is resting and the oven is still hot, roast veggies on Sheet Pan, about 25 min.
And, there you have it. A good food holiday feast. Cheers!
🥂