|
 If the holiday meal is at your house
this year, you could completely stress out over the menu and
ingredients, spending hours and plenty of money in an attempt
to feed everyone the perfect holiday meal. Or, you could plan
ahead, save a few dollars here and there, and enjoy the holiday.
As the host of PBS-TV's "Flavors
of America," Chef Jim Coleman has plenty of tips on how
to properly prepare for the holiday meal, and make your job easier.
"The perfect holiday party
host shouldn't feel overwhelmed with staying on top of all the
food preparation," says Coleman. "By planning ahead
and preparing, you'll have the time and energy to get out of
the kitchen and socialize."
Start Four
Days Early:
Set your table in advance if you can or at very least, set aside
the serving and table dishes you will be using. Pick your recipes
and make a recipe booklet for easy reference. Plan your shopping
lists as well. To help save costs, ask your guests to bring a
special dish for the meal. If Aunt Betty specializes in Green
Bean Casserole, ask her to bring that so everyone can enjoy it.
Another family member can supply a bottle of wine. This will
also help you reduce the size of your ingredient list. Scan the
grocery store fliers for sales and coupons before you go shopping.
Chop the Veggies
Ahead of Time:
- Three days ahead of the party,
chop all the onions, carrots, celery, garlic, bread for stuffing,
etc. and store them in ziplock bags. This will make the cooking
time go much faster.
- Make sure you use sharp knives.
Sharp knives are safer to use and will help you zip through the
chopping and dicing. A knife sharpener is an essential household
tool - knives always dull with use. Invest in an easy to use
reliable knife sharpener like the ChefsChoice Model 120 which
uses 100 percent diamond abrasives and precision angle guides
for a super sharp and durable edge. Call (800) 342-3255 for more
information. A good knife sharpener helps save money by renewing
the knives you already own.
- After you chop the vegetables,
throw 12 ounces of cranberries into a saucepan with orange zest,
3/4 cup of orange juice, 1/2 cup of honey and 1 teaspoon of kosher
salt and simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes. Let the sauce cool
and store it in the refrigerator until it's time for your meal.
Prepare the
Turkey:
Two days before the party brine your turkey. Here's a recipe
to use:
Party Day:
When the big day arrives, adjust your day according to the time
you're planning on serving the meal.
Serve and
Enjoy: To carve the turkey, try these steps:
- 1. Be sure to use a sharp carving
knife for best results. Sharp knives are not only safer, they
will help you smoothly cut thin, even delicious looking slices
without shredding the meat.
2. After turkey is cooked, cool for 20 minutes. Cooling makes
the meat firmer and easier to slice. Remove and set aside the
turkey legs and the last joint of each wing. Make a long, deep
(to the bone) horizontal "base cut" into the breast
just above the wing.
3. Slice down vertically through the breast until you meet the
original base cut. This will release perfect, even slices.
With the bird cooked and side
dishes prepared, all you need to do is carve the turkey and enjoy
the meal and your company.
Courtesy of ARAcontent.
Return to Read the Articles
|
