Feeding Guests During the Thanksgiving Holiday
Some smart preparation makes feeding your Thanksgiving houseguests a cinch — even if they're staying the whole holiday weekend.
Matt Armendariz, 2012, Television Food Network, GP. All Rights Reserved.
Baked pasta dishes are easy to reheat for guests at any point throughout the holiday weekend.
Make a Big Batch
The holidays usually become one long eating marathon. Instead of complicated meals in the days before, make a few large-batch recipes at the beginning of the week that can be reheated before serving, such as chili or baked pasta dishes. We also like roasting a bunch of seasonal root vegetables until they are slightly crispy. You can throw these in omelets and salads, or toss them with pasta or rice for a heartier meal. In a pinch, wrap the vegetables with your favorite cheese in a tortilla for an easy crowd-pleasing lunch.
Easy Snacks
If your guests like to graze throughout the day, don't worry about whipping up a bevy of homemade treats. Cut a bunch of vegetables for crudite (serve with store-bought hummus or guacamole) and offer bread, chips and cheese to satisfy guests' cravings in between meals. Go for foods that can be eaten on cocktail napkins to minimize cleanup.
Breakfast on the Big Day
You've got plenty of cooking ahead of you today so please don't offer to cook eggs to order. Whip up a large batch of your favorite muffins (just freeze them as soon as they cool) or granola ahead of time. Set those out with some yogurt and fruit, and everyone will be well-fed until dinner rolls around.
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