How to Cook Thanksgiving Dinner

Preparing a Thanksgiving dinner for a crowd doesn't have to be a challenge as long as you are prepared. This article will show you how to cook a Thanksgiving dinner.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. You can't plan a meal without knowing how many people you'll have to cook for. Send out your invitations if you want to invite friends and family over and have a general idea of how many people you will be cooking for.
   
   Make sure you buy a large enough turkey or ham. A general rule to follow is 3/4 lb - 1 lb of meat per person.
   
   If any of your guests are vegetarians or have special dietary needs, be sure to consider preparing a side dish that they can enjoy. Most will ask you if they can bring anything. Say yes and don't be afraid to ask your guests to bring a dish or some drinks of their own. It'll take a load off of your shoulders and they'll be glad to help.

2. You should start planning the meal about two weeks before Thanksgiving. Will you be cooking a turkey or a ham? What kind of side dishes will you serve? What about appetizers? Think about what you and your family enjoys and consider preparing a combination of traditional and more unique dishes to experiment.
   
   Some traditional staples include mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, vegetables, casseroles, bread and rolls, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. For more appetizer ideas, visit the link below:
   
   http://www.ehow.com/how_4503143_make-thanksgiving-appetizers.html

3. As Thanksgiving approaches, begin shopping for your turkey or ham and the other ingredients that you will be need for your meal. Cross reference your recipes with your shopping list and pantry to make sure you don't leave off any items. You should have all of your shopping done a week in advance.

4. You should begin thawing your turkey or ham prior to Thanksgiving day according to the directions on the label. Allow around 24 hours of defrost time for every 5 pounds of turkey. Example: a 20 pound turkey will take 4 or 5 days to thaw.
   
   Always thaw your turkey and ham in a refrigerator to prevent bacteria from forming on the meat as it thaws.

5. On Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, you should spend your day preparing as much as possible. Make your pies, breads and appetizers on this day if you can. Wash your linens and table cloth and set your table for the meal. Doing as much as you can the day before will make the holiday go by a lot smoother and you'll have more time to spend with your family and guests.

6. Thanksgiving has finally arrived! All of your preparations and planning will pay off today. Prepare your turkey according to the directions and fill it with stuffing if you wish. Get it in the oven early and allow it plenty of time to cook, depending on the size of the bird. If you are making a ham instead, just follow the cooking instructions.
   
   Gather your serving platters and dishes and start arranging the appetizers on the table. As your guests arrive, offer them a drink and a seat. During the last hour of cooking, warm up your prepared side dishes and start cooking the rest and keep everything warm until the turkey or ham has finished cooking and is carved and ready to be served.

7. Give thanks and appreciation, enjoy your meal and have a blessed Thanksgiving!

Resources

• How to Make Thanksgiving Appetizers

[veenacooks]

on 10/5/2009 If you want to cook a Turkey Dinner but don't know where to start, try "I Can Cook...Turkey Dinner" google it and you will see newspapers articles..
veenacooks.com

[ACGaughen]

on 10/5/2008 Wow, really really great tips!!