If you're looking for the key to stressless cooking, and the key to bringing the family back to the dinner table in this era of the busy household you'll find it in Meal Planning. A great way to organize your menus, your recipes and your grocery shopping so that you don't stand in front of the refrigerator at 5pm on a weeknight going "Hmmm, What shall I make for dinner?"
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Written by K Quinn
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To have everything on the table and ready for a meal takes some thoughtful preparation. Thanksgiving is a wonderful dinner party. That time of year when we give thanks for what we have and what we have learned. Here are some tips for giving an fabulous Thanksgiving Dinner party that can be applied to any dinner party you host. - 1. Plan your menu first. Choose your dishes well in advance. If you will be serving a new recipe you discovered in a book, magazine, online, or from a friend, have a trial run first so you know what you are in for. Write this menu and the recipes down. Then start making that grocery list.
- 2. Make a list of extra equipment you will need to rent or buy. Buy what you can well in advance. This goes for groceries also. Things like vegetables should wait until the last minute to be fresh but get what you can in advance.
- 3. People will be looking forward to your specialties or dishes you are known for so include one or two of them.
- 4. Have some dishes that can be prepared in advance and heated and served later. Searching online you can find recipes for things like overnight rolls, mashed potatoes done in advance. Of course try these recipes out well in advance before serving at the big meal.
- 5. Get your house in order well before hand. Do your grand cleaning about 2 days before. The day before is not necessarily a good idea (unless you know your family will do their best to mess it up if you do it 2 days before) as you can use that time for last minute details and things you may have forgotten.
- 6. Set the table in advance. The day of, of course. Plates and cups can be turned over if you have concerns.
- 7. Don’t set a definite time for dinner, set an approximate time.
- 8. Have a time of relaxation before the meal.
- 9. Make dessert a chilled affair. That makes it easier to prepare in advance and mark one more thing off your list. Happy you!
- 10. Plan on having a lot of leftovers? Purchase some of those disposable storage containers to offer your guests take home packs. We do this every year and it’s a big hit.
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Written by Patty Getz
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Don't Stress over Holiday Meals, Plan ahead. Stress is really about the unknown, do I have enough of...., will I get this done in time? So some intelligent planning ahead of time, will help to take a lot of stress out of holiday meals. I have compiled a list of tips, and some printables to help you in planning your holiday meals. |
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 22 October 2008 22:56 |
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Written by Rachel Paxton
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What family meal planning is all about and a link to a free menu planning template.
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 22 October 2008 22:59 |
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Written by Christine Steendahl
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Tongue in cheek. Get's you thinking about meal planning. |
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Written by Christine Steendahl
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How meal planning can benefit you and your family. |
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Written by K Quinn
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Meal Planning is the perfect way to bring the whole family to the table for dinner without stressing you out. It is also a great way to save money at the grocery store.
There are some lovely Thanksgiving Handouts at the end of this article.
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Last Updated on Saturday, 15 November 2008 06:54 |
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Written by K Quinn
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An organized, well stocked pantry is a lovely thing. |
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Last Updated on Saturday, 18 October 2008 05:58 |
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