This Thanksgiving was the first time my family came out to see me (instead of the other way around). And this was the first Thanksgiving dinner I have ever organized! Everything was done my way (I had my sister as an assistant and my parents were tucked away sipping on their wine and browsing my photography books). Simple and Streamlined.
Here’s HOW TO: Do Thanksgiving Dinner for Four in Two Hours
1. Turkey: How on earth do you cook a turkey in two hours? You don’t. Marinate 4 chicken-breasts for 30 min (1/2 cup red wine, 2tbsp balsamic vinegar, 3 tbsp olive oil, generous amounts of salt and lemon pepper, tad bit of ginger powder, handfuls of oregano, rosemary, and other fresh/dried herbs, and tad bit of garlic). Bake. Once done, cover in deli-sliced herb roasted turkey meat.
2. Veggies: While the “turken” is being marinated, peel the skin of 6 sweet potatoes, and chop into big chunks. Wash golden potatoes and chop. Cover the bottom of a roasting pan with bit of olive oil, toss in potatoes and sweet potatoes, sprinkle with salt. Just on the potato half, sprinkle with pepper and rosemary. Bake. Toss cut sweet corn with olive oil and tiny bit of salt. Bake. Cook string beans in boiling water. Stir-fry thinly sliced onion (in crescent strips) with olive oil salt and lots of black pepper, throw in cooked string beans.
3. Gravy: Trader Joe’s ready made.
4. Pumpkin Bread: Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Bread Mix (I had my sister do this while I made the dinner)
5. Wine: a recommended red from Central Bottle and a bottle of sparkling pomegranate juice for my little sis.
6. Table Set up: All main dishes in plain white plates garnished with mint leaves and lemons. Pumpkins and Apples and orange candle sticks as a center piece.
It took a total of two hours to prepare!!!! Super simple, no stress thanksgiving dinner. And mother approved! (My mum who was having anxiety attacks at the thought of leaving the big dinner in my hands was very impressed with the final outcome)
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Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!!
Photo Credit: marketcook.files.wordpress.com
Project Sue Cho 