ChefsLine’s guide to Holiday Cooking & Entertaining includes articles, recipes, and step-by-step instructions for the most popular Holiday dishes. You’ll also find some of our chefs’ favorite appetizers and drink ideas.

Here are top picks for delicious last minute cocktails that will help ease you into the spirit of the season from the guide.

Holiday Drink Recipes
Tom and Jerry
Champagne Cocktails
Hot Buttered Rum
Swedish Glogg

See all of the recipes > >

Yesterday we invited members to upgrade to a Holiday Season Pass for just $9.95. The response was fantastic and thank you! We’ve already helped over 10 new members enhance their Thanksgiving menus with some custom recipes and coached you by phone about how to manage your oven space and roll out a smooth, magical feast.

When you purchase a Season Pass, we encourage you to call our hotline at 1-800-977-1224 to connect with our chef instructors who can review your menu and offer you some last minute cooking tips. Have a wonderful Holiday.

Meanwhile, we are happy to present our Top Three ChefsLine Thanksgiving Hotline Questions (and cooking solutions)

Top Three ChefsLine Thanksgiving Hotline Questions

1. When should I put the turkey in?
Let’s work back from the time you’d like to sit down to eat. 

• Dinner 3:00 pm
• Carve turkey 2:30 pm
• Remove turkey from oven and pan. Wrap. 2:00 pm

Your turkey can be finished roasting up to 1 hour before serving (most ChefsLine callers eat at 3 pm).  Give yourself a half hour to carve the bird and finish up getting your dishes to the table.

• 8 to 12 pound turkey (3 hours cook time) 11:00 am
• 12 to 14 pound turkey (3 ½ hours cook time) 10:30 am
• 14 to 18 pound turkey (4 hours cook time) 10:00 am
• 18 to 20 pound turkey (4 1/2 hours cook time) 9:30 am
• 20 to 24 pound turkey (5 hours cook time) 9:00 am

One hour before roasting, remove turkey from refrigerator and prep. Thirty minutes before roasting, preheat oven at 325 degrees.

Click here for more information on cook times and techniques > Turkey 101

2. How do I make the gravy – fast?
The scene: Your turkey is out of the oven but you have everything ELSE to do and who is going to make the gravy? The solution: Print this Easy Quick Gravy recipe (with tips for the novice!) and pass them to the nearest guest.

3. My turkey is still frozen. Help!

Wednesday Day: If you’re turkey is still frozen today – no worries.  Know you will not be brining it and will need to dedicate your sink to defrosting the turkey today.  Using the Cold Water Method, you can defrost a pound every 30 minutes.  The rest of the time, keep the turkey in the top part of your fridge. 

Wednesday Night: Hmmm you have a problem but try not to worry.  What time do you need to get the turkey in the oven? If your turkey is 14 pounds or less – you can do it. If not – plan a different menu item or to eat late.  Some main course alternatives include store bought turkey for some amazing sandwiches featuring all of your side dishes, roast chicken, or pork chops.

Other FAQ’s and Solutions Are Available in Our Turkey 101 Guide including:

• How to Use a Meat Thermometer
• How Long to Cook Your Turkey
• Which Brine? Brine Recipe Collection to compliment your menu.
• Deep Fried Turkey FAQ’s

 

 Real Life Thanksgiving Timeline: Play Now | Download

What? Your freezer is NOT filled with do-ahead Thanksgiving dishes? No worries as preparing a traditional Thanksgiving meal on Thursday is really quite easy. Follow our Thanksgiving Cooking Schedule and get your game on starting… tomorrow night!
(more…)

 

 Flavorful Stuffing Audio Class: Play Now | Download

Listen now to Chef Jackie’s tips on how to prepare the MOST flavorful and delicious stuffing. Yum!

 

 Quick Gravy: Play Now | Download

Listen now to Chef Kevin’s step by step directions for a quick turkey gravy. Download to your IPod and enjoy listening while cooking (and everyone else is scrambling with serving the dishes!)