06 Nov Thanksgiving Preparation
Planning out Thanksgiving can be stressful, especially for the host. You have to plan out the dishes and the desserts on top of filling your house with fall/holiday decor. All of the planning can be more overwhelming than the actual cooking and decorating itself. This year, eliminate some of the stress and check out these simple to make side dishes and ways to decorate!
Even the pickiest of eaters always make sure to load their plates up with mashed potatoes! Potatoes are easily the cornerstone of most meals, especially Thanksgiving. Luckily, to prepare this beloved part of the meal all you need is 2 pounds of potatoes, 1 cup of milk, 2 tablespoons of butter and about half an hour. After skinning the potatoes, boil them in water until they are tender. Heat the milk and butter in a small saucepan until the butter is melted, and then using a potato masher or electric beater, blend the milk mixture in with the potatoes until they’re smooth and creamy. Season them how you see fit and you have a delicious side dish ready to go for your Thanksgiving meal!
If you’re looking for an even simpler side dish to make or bring to your host, glazed carrots are a hit! All you need are 2 pounds of peeled carrots, ¼ cup of butter, and ¼ cup of brown sugar. Place the carrots in approximately 1 inch of water and bring them to a boil, then cover them and let simmer on low heat until tender. Once you’ve drained them, melt the butter in a pan and mix in the brown sugar until it has dissolved. Add the carrots into the mixture and cook for an additional 5 minutes and then you have a delicious, easy to make side dish!
Now that you have a few easy side dishes you can whip up, it’s time to focus on dessert. This recipe for pumpkin pie is “easy as pie” to make! All you need is 2 eggs, 1 can of pumpkin puree, 1 can of sweetened condensed milk, 1 tablespoon of pumpkin spice and 1 unbaked pie crust. Prep time for this classic dessert item is only 10 minutes! Preheat your oven to 425 degrees, and while you’re waiting, combine the eggs, pumpkin puree, sweetened condensed milk, and pumpkin spice in a bowl and mix until combined. Once your oven is preheated, place your pie crust into a pie dish and pour the mixture into the crust. Next you’ll want to pop your pie in the oven for 15 minutes before reducing heat to 350 degrees and baking for another 35-40 minutes. Once the filling has set, take it out, let it cool, and wait to enjoy!
With a full Thanksgiving meal under way, it’s time to focus your attention on decorating. Halloween may have passed but that doesn’t mean pumpkins are out of style. For a cute and personalized decoration this Thanksgiving, you’re going to need mini gourds and paint. For each guest, paint their name on a gourd to serve as their placeholder at the dinner table. If you’re feeling extra artsy, paint a few festive designs on there or experiment with different colors! This cute fall decoration is simple and will add a personal touch to the meal for your dinner guests.
Amidst all the planning and cooking, make sure you take time this holiday season to reflect on all that you’re thankful for. Whether you’re thankful for the delicious mashed potatoes you cooked or the perfect pumpkin pie you baked, now is the time to voice those thanks. With these simple dishes and cute decorations, you’re well on your way to a Thanksgiving that everyone will be thankful for.
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