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Workable Game Plan For Holiday Foods

Ease holiday stress with simple weeknight dishes like Tortellini With Basil and Sausage.

So what if I say this every year? This time, I'm serious. Next year, I will start way early to prevent my annual turkey-day meltdown. What I need is a clip-and-save Thanksgiving meal plan, and it will go something like this:

Early October: Organize the freezer. Begin eating food to clear one shelf for turkey-day-only items. Decide on table decorations and gather any necessary craft supplies.

Mid-October: Gather nonperishable ingredients I'm sure to need, such as canned pumpkin, evaporated milk and wine. Begin scanning cookbooks for inspiration and recipes. Do any craft work required for decorations.

Late October: When November food magazines hit the mailbox, finalize the menu. Make copies of all recipes and put them in a special folder. Include several items that freeze well.

November, first week: Make and freeze pumpkin pies. (Wrap first in plastic, then in foil for best results.) Continue gathering ingredients for recipes.

November, second week: Make and freeze a vegetable casserole, such as sweet potato and/or broccoli. Look at all remaining recipes and make a detailed work-flow chart. Assign any dishes guests may bring. Scan glassware and serving dishes for dust, and wash them, if necessary.

November, third week: Buy the turkey and root veggies. Begin clearing all unnecessary items from the refrigerator. Review work-flow chart, and make a final shopping list.

Thanksgiving week: Put the turkey in the fridge to thaw. Set the table as soon as possible, and cover with a clean sheet to protect. Buy fresh veggies, fruits and any remaining ingredients. One to three days before, make any foods that will hold, such as cranberry sauce, and take out all remaining frozen foods to thaw.

Keep regular dinners simple, using recipes like 20-minute Tortellini With Basil and Sausage.

With this plan ready to go next year, much of the work will be already done, and we'll actually enjoy the process. Say goodbye to turkey-day meltdowns.

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