The Game Plan: Food Timeline

• If turkey is frozen, place it in the refrigerator to thaw. This can take two days.

• Make the Zinfandel Cranberry Sauce.

• Make the Pumpkin Hazelnut Pie.
• Toast the bread cubes and pecan pieces for the stuffing.
• Make the Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Caramelized Onions.
• Cook the onions, mushrooms, and green beans through step 2 for the Green Bean Bake Revisited.

• Assemble the stuffing and get the turkey into the oven.

• Set the table if you have not already done so.
• Start basting the turkey with its juices every 30 minutes. Add water to pan if it dries out.

• Take the pie, cranberry sauce, and sweet potatoes out of the refrigerator to warm up.
• Assemble the green bean casserole. If there is no oven space, have it ready to go into the oven when the turkey is done cooking.

• Provide purchased appetizers and snacks, such as cheese and crackers.
• Enlist help in finishing table set up and a making a beverage station.

• Use both the oven and microwave to reheat side dishes.
• Transfer the turkey to a carving platter and cover with foil to keep it warm.
• Make the gravy.

• Be sure to get primo napping seat in front of the fire.
• Let most closely related guests oversee kitchen cleanup.