Thanksgiving Menu Preperation

About two weeks before Thanksgiving, begin preparing your menu. Determine who will be preparing which dishes and what recipes you will be using.

The foods on the menu should be a variety in:
1. Textures
2. Temperatures
3. Colors
4. Flavors
5. Food groups

How to plan your Thanksgiving menu:

1. Pick your main protein for the meal. At Thanksgiving, this is traditionally turkey, but stick with your traditions and plan the meal around the protein you choose.

2. Choose 1-2 starches such as mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, stuffing, squash.

3. Choose 1-2 vegetables such as green beans, asparagus, zucchini or yellow squash.

4. Choose a fruit; traditionally this is cranberry sauce.

5. Determine if you'll serve a soup or salad.

6. Pick your dessert(s) you'll serve; traditionally pumpkin pie, apple pie, sweet potato pie, pecan pie.

Once you determine what you'll be making for the Thanksgiving meal, create a timeline for preparing and cooking the dishes. Communicate with any guests that will be brining dishes for the meal. Review recipes and make a shopping list. Finally, plan your table settings, decorations and serving dishes. Stay as organized as possible so you can enjoy the holiday.