Sample Thanksgiving Cooking Schedule
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ChefsLine Member Custom Thanksgiving Menu
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Mesquite-Smoked Breast of Turkey in a Cranberry Glaze
Mesquite-Smoked Breast of Turkey in a Cranberry Glaze
Grilled Marinated Turkey Legs and Thighs
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Freeze* |
Refrigerate |
Reheat** Microwave |
Reheat Oven |
Reheat Stovetop |
|
Pie Crust |
Yes, up to 2 months. Double wrap. Can roll and store or prepare in pie pan and then freeze. Defrost in refrigerator overnight before rolling. |
Can be refrigerated overnight either rolled out in a pie plate or as a flattened ball. |
No. |
NA |
NA |
Rolls |
Yes. Good recipes are rolls such as Parkerhouse yeast rolls. These can be cooked and then frozen. |
Better not to, can be stored for a day in plastic bag at room temperature. |
No. |
Heat oven to 350F and warm for 10 minutes. |
NA |
Stuffing |
Stuffing can be frozen after being cooked for up to one month. Or uncooked stuffing ingredients can be frozen separately. |
Stuffing can be assembled and refrigerated up to 24 hours before cooking |
High heat for 3 minutes. Stir thoroughly and cook on high heat for 2 more minutes |
Add ¼ cup of chicken stock or water, stir and cover. Bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes or until warmed through. |
NA |
Turkey Gravy |
Do not freeze, or thicken with arrowroot instead of flour. |
Yes. |
Yes. Heat on high for two minutes. Stir. Heat for another minute or two. |
NA |
Yes. Warm in a sauce pan over medium-low heat (do not boil) stirring frequently until hot. |
Butternut Squash Soup |
Yes. |
Yes. |
Yes. Heat on high for 2 minutes. Stir. Heat for another 2 minutes. |
||
Cranberry Sauce |
Not recommended. |
Yes |
NA |
NA |
NA |
Mashed Potatoes |
Yes. |
Yes. |
Yes. Heat for 3 minutes on high, stir, and heat another 2 minutes on high. |
Yes. Heat oven to 350F. Spread in a casserole and heat for 30 minutes. Stir before serving. |
Yes. Warm in a sauce pan over low heat stirring frequently until hot. |
Turkey Breast |
Yes. Thaw for at least two days in refrigerator. |
Yes. |
Yes. Should be sliced before heating. Spread on a plate, cover, and heat at medium for 3 minutes. Rotate 1/4 turn and heat at medium for another 3 minutes. |
No. |
NA |
Turkey |
Yes. Thaw for 2 - 4 days in refrigerator. |
Yes. |
Yes. Should be sliced before heating. Spread on a plate, cover, and heat at medium for 3 minutes. Rotate 1/4 turn and heat at medium for another 3 minutes. |
No. |
NA |
Sweet Potato or Yam Casserole |
Yes. |
Yes. |
Yes. Heat for 3 minutes on high, stir, and heat another 2 minutes on high. |
Yes. Heat oven to 350F. Spread in a casserole and heat for 30 - 45 minutes. Stir before serving. |
Yes. Warm in a sauce pan over low heat stirring frequently until hot. |
Green Beans |
Yes. |
Yes. |
Heat at high for 3 minutes. Stir. Heat another 3 minutes at high. |
Yes. Heat oven to 350F. Spread in a casserole, cover, and heat for 30 - 45 minutes. |
Yes. Warm in a sauce pan over low heat stirring frequently until hot. |
Brussels Sprouts |
Yes. |
Yes. |
Heat at high for 3 minutes. Stir. Heat another 3 minutes at high. |
Yes. Heat oven to 350F. Spread in a casserole, cover, and heat for 30 - 45 minutes. |
No. |
Turkey Brine |
NA |
NA |
NA |
NA |
NA |
Roasted Root Vegetables |
Yes. |
Yes |
Heat at high for 3 minutes. Stir. Heat another 3 minutes at high. |
Yes. Heat oven to 350F. Spread in a casserole, cover, and heat for 30 - 45 minutes. |
No. |
*Unless otherwise specified, anything that is frozen should be thawed for 24 hours in the refrigerator before heating.
**Microwave ovens vary in size, power, and general heating characteristics so it is impossible to provide perfect instructions for heating food in one. But in general:
1) Solid meat (such as turkey( should be heated at medium and only until thoroughly warm -- not hot. High power will dry out and toughen meat. If your oven doesn’t have a carousel, rotate the plat half way through the heating period.
2) Vegetables can be heated on high, but should generally be stirred half-way through the heating period.
