Wayne Boatwright > wrote:
> For both Thanksgiving and Christms I always print out the following
> and put in a ring binder. Having that in front of me allows for
> additions, deletions, and miscellaneous other notes. The printouts
> include:
>
> Menu
>
> List of every recipe, or instructions for making something that
> doesn't actually have a recipe.
>
> List of ingredients for each recipe. Shopping list included.
>
> Timetable for everything that has to be made, whether it's on a prior
> day or time of day that anything has to be cooked.
>
> I've been doing this for years, and it has saved me from many an
> issue when putting everything together. The best part of it is that
> I don't havae to think about it. It's all there in front of me.
>
> I wonder if any of this would work for anyone else?
>

I went to a dinner party at the neighbors house a few years ago, and I
came over a few hours early to help in the kitchen. I was quite surprised
to see she had the entire prep written up and had a scripted timeline of
when to do which step. I was impressed with her organization. It paid
off, too, because the multi-course meal was incredible.

On 10/31/2018 12:13 PM, Jinx the Minx wrote:
> Wayne Boatwright > wrote:
>> For both Thanksgiving and Christms I always print out the following
>> and put in a ring binder. Having that in front of me allows for
>> additions, deletions, and miscellaneous other notes. The printouts
>> include:
>>
>> Menu
>>
>> List of every recipe, or instructions for making something that
>> doesn't actually have a recipe.
>>
>> List of ingredients for each recipe. Shopping list included.
>>
>> Timetable for everything that has to be made, whether it's on a prior
>> day or time of day that anything has to be cooked.
>>
>> I've been doing this for years, and it has saved me from many an
>> issue when putting everything together. The best part of it is that
>> I don't havae to think about it. It's all there in front of me.
>>
>> I wonder if any of this would work for anyone else?
>>
>
> I went to a dinner party at the neighbors house a few years ago, and I
> came over a few hours early to help in the kitchen. I was quite surprised
> to see she had the entire prep written up and had a scripted timeline of
> when to do which step. I was impressed with her organization. It paid
> off, too, because the multi-course meal was incredible.
>
Sounds like a great meal, Jinx! I can see the benefit of that kind of
planning and preparation if you're having dinner guests. Cooking for
two, not so much. Cooking for one, even less.

I roast a cornish game hen for Thanksgiving. I bake a pan of cornbread
dressing on the side. Usually served with a green vegetable such as
steamed broccoli. This year I think I'll bake a small split acorn
squash to go with it. Might as well, the oven will already be on.

No need for extensive planning or timetables here.

Jill

jmcquown > wrote:
> On 10/31/2018 12:13 PM, Jinx the Minx wrote:
>> Wayne Boatwright > wrote:
>>> For both Thanksgiving and Christms I always print out the following
>>> and put in a ring binder. Having that in front of me allows for
>>> additions, deletions, and miscellaneous other notes. The printouts
>>> include:
>>>
>>> Menu
>>>
>>> List of every recipe, or instructions for making something that
>>> doesn't actually have a recipe.
>>>
>>> List of ingredients for each recipe. Shopping list included.
>>>
>>> Timetable for everything that has to be made, whether it's on a prior
>>> day or time of day that anything has to be cooked.
>>>
>>> I've been doing this for years, and it has saved me from many an
>>> issue when putting everything together. The best part of it is that
>>> I don't havae to think about it. It's all there in front of me.
>>>
>>> I wonder if any of this would work for anyone else?
>>>
>>
>> I went to a dinner party at the neighbors house a few years ago, and I
>> came over a few hours early to help in the kitchen. I was quite surprised
>> to see she had the entire prep written up and had a scripted timeline of
>> when to do which step. I was impressed with her organization. It paid
>> off, too, because the multi-course meal was incredible.
>>
> Sounds like a great meal, Jinx! I can see the benefit of that kind of
> planning and preparation if you're having dinner guests. Cooking for
> two, not so much. Cooking for one, even less.
>
> I roast a cornish game hen for Thanksgiving. I bake a pan of cornbread
> dressing on the side. Usually served with a green vegetable such as
> steamed broccoli. This year I think I'll bake a small split acorn
> squash to go with it. Might as well, the oven will already be on.
>
> No need for extensive planning or timetables here.
>
> Jill
>

Cornish hen sounds good. I did those on the grill once last year with a
vadouvan spice rub. They turned out fantastic. We are planning to be in
Florida this year for Thanksgiving. I might have to think about doing
Cornish hens again, since itll just be 3 of us and we wont have time for
many leftovers.

On 10/31/2018 1:26 PM, Jinx the Minx wrote:
> jmcquown > wrote:
>> On 10/31/2018 12:13 PM, Jinx the Minx wrote:
>>> Wayne Boatwright > wrote:
>>>> For both Thanksgiving and Christms I always print out the following
>>>> and put in a ring binder. Having that in front of me allows for
>>>> additions, deletions, and miscellaneous other notes. The printouts
>>>> include:
>>>>
>>>> Menu
>>>>
>>>> List of every recipe, or instructions for making something that
>>>> doesn't actually have a recipe.
>>>>
>>>> List of ingredients for each recipe. Shopping list included.
>>>>
>>>> Timetable for everything that has to be made, whether it's on a prior
>>>> day or time of day that anything has to be cooked.
>>>>
>>>> I've been doing this for years, and it has saved me from many an
>>>> issue when putting everything together. The best part of it is that
>>>> I don't havae to think about it. It's all there in front of me.
>>>>
>>>> I wonder if any of this would work for anyone else?
>>>>
>>>
>>> I went to a dinner party at the neighbors house a few years ago, and I
>>> came over a few hours early to help in the kitchen. I was quite surprised
>>> to see she had the entire prep written up and had a scripted timeline of
>>> when to do which step. I was impressed with her organization. It paid
>>> off, too, because the multi-course meal was incredible.
>>>
>> Sounds like a great meal, Jinx! I can see the benefit of that kind of
>> planning and preparation if you're having dinner guests. Cooking for
>> two, not so much. Cooking for one, even less.
>>
>> I roast a cornish game hen for Thanksgiving. I bake a pan of cornbread
>> dressing on the side. Usually served with a green vegetable such as
>> steamed broccoli. This year I think I'll bake a small split acorn
>> squash to go with it. Might as well, the oven will already be on.
>>
>> No need for extensive planning or timetables here.
>>
>> Jill
>>
>
> Cornish hen sounds good. I did those on the grill once last year with a
> vadouvan spice rub. They turned out fantastic. We are planning to be in
> Florida this year for Thanksgiving. I might have to think about doing
> Cornish hens again, since itll just be 3 of us and we wont have time for
> many leftovers.
>
Cornish hens are definitely good on the grill. I always split them
first. Rubbed with spices is good. Also needs a little brushing with
herbed butter or oil, to crisp the skin. It's been many years since I
did that. But it was delicious!

For a small gathering like yours I'd definitely consider cornish game
hens.

Jill

On 2018-10-31 12:13 PM, Jinx the Minx wrote:
> Wayne Boatwright > wrote:

>> I wonder if any of this would work for anyone else?
>>
>
> I went to a dinner party at the neighbors house a few years ago, and I
> came over a few hours early to help in the kitchen. I was quite surprised
> to see she had the entire prep written up and had a scripted timeline of
> when to do which step. I was impressed with her organization. It paid
> off, too, because the multi-course meal was incredible.

My wife tends to get a little frazzled when preparing meals for large
groups. Our son, who managed restaurants for a few years, convinced her
of the need to write down a list with a time line. It has helped a lot.

On Wednesday, October 31, 2018 at 2:02:12 PM UTC-5, Dave Smith wrote:
>
> My wife tends to get a little frazzled when preparing meals for large
> groups. Our son, who managed restaurants for a few years, convinced her
> of the need to write down a list with a time line. It has helped a lot.
>
We all go to my sister-in-law's house 30 miles away and we all bring something.
If anyone is frazzled they have recovered by the time we're gathered for the
feast.