Believe it or not, Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and that means it’s time to get cooking! From making the perfect turkey to baking delicious pies, if you’re hosting Thanksgiving this year, you’ve definitely got your work cut out. If you’re already feeling the pressure of holiday cooking, the good news is with Thanksgiving about two weeks away, you still have plenty of time to get prepared.

The following tips will help you stay on top of your holiday cooking and cut down on the stress by planning ahead:

Plan Now – If you’re not big into planning ahead, now is the perfect time to change your tune. Not only can you cut down on last-minute stress by having a simple to-do list, but planning ahead could also save you time and money by helping you purchase only what you need and minimizing trips to the store. Just be sure to get a final head count before you make your list.

Shop Early – Holiday shopping can be anything but fun, especially if you wait until the last minute. By planning your menu ahead of time, you’ll know exactly what you need and what you can purchase now. Shopping early for the staple, non-perishable items gives you access to the best selection and inventory that tends to shrink as Thanksgiving approaches. Retailers generally start their promotions for traditional holiday ingredients the first week of November, so you can get shopping on many items now.

Cook & Prep Ahead – As fun as holiday cooking can be, no one wants to spend the entire time in the kitchen on a holiday, especially when family and friends are in town. By cooking and preparing food ahead of time, you can cut down on your kitchen time the day of Thanksgiving.

• Cook Ahead – Of course cooking menu items ahead of time is the ultimate time saver. Choose your menu items wisely and you could possibly have half of the meal cooked the day before! If you’re working with Artichokes, try cooking them ahead of time and storing in your refrigerator for up to one-week, reheating them on the day of serving. Some of our favorite cook ahead recipes that keep well in the fridge include:
• Easy Baked Artichokes (great recipe for cooking multiple Artichokes at once)
• Cranberry Sauce with Fennel
• Savory Artichoke Parmesan Muffins with Artichoke Butter
• Artichoke Caprese Salad
• Spinach Stuffed Eggs
• Cauliflower Pumpkin Pie Cake

• Prep Ahead – Items such as the turkey and ingredients for stuffing that can be cleaned, peeled, chopped and diced the day before are always good options for saving time. Go beyond the kitchen and tackle these steps the day before too:

• Choose and place table centerpieces and wine choices on the dinner table;
• Set your table with place settings and name plates, as well as appetizer serving ware;
• Decide which dishes you will use to serve the special menu items in, including the turkey platter and gravy boat;
• Set aside enough serving ware for desert; and
• Empty out your dishwasher and make room for dirty dishes.

These tips should help you get started, but if you’re still wondering how to plan for Thanksgiving, we have put together the perfect holiday menu. Make it all or add a few recipes to your family favorites this year, just don’t forget the turkey!

Starters

• Baked Artichokes with Roasted Artichoke & Red Pepper Dip
• Hearts of Romaine Chopped Salad with Melon, Prosciuto and Cranberries
• Balsamic Roasted Beets with Goat Cheese, Toasted Pecans On a bed of Fresh Baby Spinach

Main Course

• Italian Sausage-Artichoke and Fennel Stuffing
• Cauliflower Stuffed Twice Baked Potatoes
• Tuscan Breaded Chicken Cutlet with Mushroom Leek Ragu

Dessert

• Pumpkin & Cauliflower Cupcakes

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sources: e-how.com