Buying and preparing food for Thanksgiving could be challenging, more so if you are hosting it for the first time. This might be your first Thanksgiving with your partner, so you must be getting overwhelmed with every single thing. There is so much to do. So, Start with a Thanksgiving List.
But this is a testing time as well, how well you can coordinate with your partner. Plan together, remind each other what you want to prepare for the guests. While the dressing and the turkey would be off the top, it is important to make sure that you have all the other ingredients handy. Make sure you are not missing out on the spices.
You would require a few non-food items, which would be necessary to prepare the food. So we have come up with the basics that you would require, so you can relax a little and enjoy the first Thanksgiving with your parent and not just stress about it.
The ultimate Thanksgiving list
The Thanksgiving list contains everything that is commonly required. Of course, you can add to this list according to your preference, but this list will make sure that you are covered.
Turkey
This is something you will never forget. But you have to make sure that you are getting the right size of turkey, depending on the number of guests you have invited. A good trick for calculating is taking one and a half pounds of turkey for each person. That way, you can calculate how big of a turkey you will need.
If you are getting a frozen turkey, get it a week before Thanksgiving and let it thaw in the refrigerator. It is actually the centerpiece of the event.
Roasting pan
When you are getting a roasting pan, make sure it is big enough to accommodate the turkey you bought. Or it is probably best to get a disposable roasting pan for the day. You can also get extra sheet pans.
Thermometer
It is better to get a meat thermometer. It would be embarrassing to serve your guests undercooked meat. You can also get those digital ones, which record the temperature through the cooking process. But an instant-read thermometer would work as well.
Turkey baster
Get a turkey baster to scoop and ladle the bird with a lot less mess, and it would get the work done more effectively. Basters are mostly long-handled and let you get to the drippings without getting close to the hot pan.
Stock
Stock is the secret weapon for every chef. You can either buy it or make it out of vegetables, turkey, or chicken. It is important to have it handy for preparing any gravy for adding a little moisture and flavor to the dressing or blasting a turkey.
Bread cubes
Get some cornbread or some pre-cubed bread for some dressing. If you want the bread to be dry or a little soft, depending on that, leave it out on a tray overnight.
Fresh Herbs
You can always turn to the spice jars, but they won’t have a flavor like the fresh herbs. Thanksgiving recipes generally require woody herbs like sage, bay leaves, thyme, parsley, and rosemary. Fresh chives also add flavor and texture to those creamy mashed potatoes.
Butter
How much butter is too much butter? You can never have too much butter for Thanksgiving. For baking and cooking purposes, it is best to use unsalted butter. But keep salted butter as well, as that is the one that will go best with the dinner rolls.
Sweet Potatoes
You can have sweet potatoes in various ways. You can have them mashed or just bake them and top them with some marshmallows in the casserole. Get potatoes that are similar in size, it helps in better cooking.
Flour
This is something that every household has in their pantry. But it might happen that you both have just moved in together and are hosting your first Thanksgiving. So double-check your pantry, and if you are planning to bake, then put it on your list. It is better to keep things in hand than going to the store at the last minute.
Cream
Get a pint of heavy cream. You will require it for making casserole or mashed potatoes. It will also be a good choice for making pumpkin pies.
Potatoes
Thanksgiving is never complete with those mashed potatoes. That buttery velvety texture is something people love during Thanksgiving. You can also add cream cheese if you prefer to add some more flavor to it.
Salt And Pepper
Check those salt and pepper checkers and keep those filled on the table. And do not forget to season your food adequately so it doesn’t miss the flavor.
Ice
This is something you should not miss. Fill the ice cubes right away, as that is something everyone would want to keep their drinks cold.
Rolls
Get some fresh rolls from the market. Or, if you wish, try making those at home this Thanksgiving.
Eggs
Check the carton to see if you have enough eggs for baking this holiday season. If not, add it to the list. There is no harm in getting some extras, you can have it for your breakfast later.
Cheese
Never forget the cheese from your shopping list. You will need it for various recipes, so get the different types of cheese you can from the supermarket, and trust me, it will not get wasted.
Carrots, Onions, Celery And Garlic
These are the backbone of your Thanksgiving recipes. Anything you make, these will be a part of it. Make sure you have these in stock.
Wrapping Up!
Well, the list could go on endlessly, but these are the basics that you need to keep at home if you are planning to make a Thanksgiving dinner for your guests. And this Thanksgiving list works even if you are a pro at hosting guest dinners these are the constants. So get your partner the list, or it is best if you both go together for grocery shopping and check your partnership. Check how well you both work as a team.
