1 00:00:05,519 --> 00:00:06,160 Speaker 1: Hi, everybody. 2 00:00:06,200 --> 00:00:09,039 Speaker 2: I'm Kelsey Nixon and this is Kitchen Prescription, the podcast 3 00:00:09,080 --> 00:00:10,840 Speaker 2: you listen to when you don't know what to make 4 00:00:10,840 --> 00:00:14,200 Speaker 2: for dinner. Today's episode one hundred and six a formula 5 00:00:14,360 --> 00:00:15,840 Speaker 2: for your Thanksgiving feast. 6 00:00:16,400 --> 00:00:18,200 Speaker 1: I hope you've all had a great week. 7 00:00:18,720 --> 00:00:22,480 Speaker 2: I have a love hate relationship with election week. I 8 00:00:22,520 --> 00:00:25,840 Speaker 2: love voting and talking to my kids about how important 9 00:00:25,840 --> 00:00:31,360 Speaker 2: it is, but my goodness, it is an emotionally charged week. 10 00:00:32,080 --> 00:00:34,760 Speaker 2: Someone in my Q and a's this week asked if 11 00:00:34,760 --> 00:00:37,680 Speaker 2: we had any election traditions, and the only one is 12 00:00:37,720 --> 00:00:40,920 Speaker 2: to really just make a flag cake or cookie bars 13 00:00:40,960 --> 00:00:44,440 Speaker 2: for dessert on election night. I find that if I 14 00:00:44,680 --> 00:00:47,960 Speaker 2: because we usually don't do like dessert midweek, but if 15 00:00:48,000 --> 00:00:49,959 Speaker 2: I do like a fun dessert and kind of make 16 00:00:50,000 --> 00:00:51,440 Speaker 2: a thing out of it, it's a great way for 17 00:00:51,440 --> 00:00:53,440 Speaker 2: me to talk to my kids about the election and 18 00:00:53,520 --> 00:00:57,920 Speaker 2: why it's so important for us to utilize our right 19 00:00:58,000 --> 00:01:01,319 Speaker 2: to vote. And I think that's something that we can 20 00:01:01,360 --> 00:01:04,560 Speaker 2: all agree on, right Like, there's a lot of divisiveness 21 00:01:04,560 --> 00:01:07,160 Speaker 2: and a lot of us have different opinions on policy 22 00:01:07,240 --> 00:01:10,399 Speaker 2: and all sorts of things, but we can all agree 23 00:01:10,560 --> 00:01:13,760 Speaker 2: that we should utilize our right to vote. And as 24 00:01:13,840 --> 00:01:18,080 Speaker 2: my kids grow up and become their own individual humans, 25 00:01:18,760 --> 00:01:21,399 Speaker 2: I know I don't care how they vote. I just 26 00:01:21,480 --> 00:01:25,760 Speaker 2: hope that they end up researching the issues and voting 27 00:01:25,760 --> 00:01:28,080 Speaker 2: for what they think is right, and that is something 28 00:01:28,160 --> 00:01:31,440 Speaker 2: that we should and can talk about at home. So anyways, 29 00:01:31,480 --> 00:01:33,720 Speaker 2: it's top of mind for me. But now that the 30 00:01:33,760 --> 00:01:36,279 Speaker 2: election is behind us, I am ready. I am ready 31 00:01:36,280 --> 00:01:39,080 Speaker 2: to dive into Thanksgiving. I told you guys last week. 32 00:01:39,440 --> 00:01:41,959 Speaker 2: It's my Olympics. It's one of my favorite holidays. It 33 00:01:42,040 --> 00:01:44,640 Speaker 2: is by far my favorite meal, not only of the year, 34 00:01:44,680 --> 00:01:48,040 Speaker 2: but just ever. Just I love it. It's the perfect 35 00:01:48,080 --> 00:01:51,440 Speaker 2: meal in my opinion, and personally, they should not be 36 00:01:51,480 --> 00:01:54,640 Speaker 2: surprising to you. I think it's pretty fun and even 37 00:01:54,680 --> 00:01:57,960 Speaker 2: stress reducing to map out your Thanksgiving and create somewhat 38 00:01:57,960 --> 00:02:01,600 Speaker 2: of a playbook. It's clearly the most anticipated meal of 39 00:02:01,600 --> 00:02:04,720 Speaker 2: the year, so some planning in advance is warranted in 40 00:02:04,760 --> 00:02:07,000 Speaker 2: my opinion. Also, I know that a lot of you 41 00:02:07,040 --> 00:02:10,360 Speaker 2: will be hosting or maybe attending a friends Giving feast soon, 42 00:02:10,760 --> 00:02:12,760 Speaker 2: so I wanted to get this episode out in time 43 00:02:13,000 --> 00:02:15,280 Speaker 2: for hopefully some of these tips to be helpful there 44 00:02:15,320 --> 00:02:17,880 Speaker 2: as well. You must know that I've had years when 45 00:02:17,880 --> 00:02:21,200 Speaker 2: I've wanted to cook the entire meal from scratch. I've 46 00:02:21,200 --> 00:02:23,960 Speaker 2: also had years when I had a restaurant, especially when 47 00:02:24,160 --> 00:02:25,840 Speaker 2: I was living in New York City, and we had 48 00:02:25,840 --> 00:02:27,959 Speaker 2: a couple times when my parents come in for the 49 00:02:28,000 --> 00:02:31,000 Speaker 2: Thanksgiving Day parade and we lived in teeny tiny apartments 50 00:02:31,040 --> 00:02:33,320 Speaker 2: and we'd go to a restaurant. And I've also had 51 00:02:33,400 --> 00:02:35,880 Speaker 2: years when I've picked up half of the meal from 52 00:02:36,480 --> 00:02:39,880 Speaker 2: a fancy grocery store cater local restaurant, and then I've 53 00:02:39,919 --> 00:02:42,760 Speaker 2: made some of the other stuff and all of it's okay. 54 00:02:42,840 --> 00:02:45,400 Speaker 2: I actually think my best hack ever was picking up 55 00:02:45,400 --> 00:02:48,720 Speaker 2: a smoked turkey that was done and ready to go 56 00:02:48,880 --> 00:02:50,919 Speaker 2: when we were celebrating in Texas. 57 00:02:50,520 --> 00:02:52,600 Speaker 1: One year, and it was so good. 58 00:02:53,280 --> 00:02:55,440 Speaker 2: I mean, all of these options are good options. There's 59 00:02:55,440 --> 00:02:58,440 Speaker 2: no right or wrong way to do Thanksgiving. Really, it's 60 00:02:58,480 --> 00:03:00,880 Speaker 2: about the time you're spending with your family and reflecting 61 00:03:00,919 --> 00:03:04,640 Speaker 2: on gratitude and the connection around that table. But regardless 62 00:03:04,720 --> 00:03:06,680 Speaker 2: of what your feast will look like, I promise you 63 00:03:06,760 --> 00:03:09,040 Speaker 2: it is worth it to sit down and map it 64 00:03:09,120 --> 00:03:11,560 Speaker 2: all out. So that's what we're going to do today. 65 00:03:12,240 --> 00:03:14,560 Speaker 2: But before we do that, let's discuss a few recipes 66 00:03:14,600 --> 00:03:16,679 Speaker 2: you could throw on your meal plan. This week, we're 67 00:03:16,720 --> 00:03:20,799 Speaker 2: continuing to embrace comfort food and all around easy food 68 00:03:21,320 --> 00:03:23,920 Speaker 2: as the weather starts to get a bit cooler. We 69 00:03:24,000 --> 00:03:26,040 Speaker 2: turned the fireplace on for the first time today, which 70 00:03:26,080 --> 00:03:29,360 Speaker 2: is exciting, and the busiest time of year has officially arrived. 71 00:03:29,520 --> 00:03:32,040 Speaker 2: So here's what's on our meal plan for the week. 72 00:03:32,800 --> 00:03:36,400 Speaker 2: First up is a new recipe called Creamy. 73 00:03:36,040 --> 00:03:37,280 Speaker 1: Couscous with feta. 74 00:03:37,880 --> 00:03:43,720 Speaker 2: Now, I really love Israeli or pearl couscous. It's like 75 00:03:43,800 --> 00:03:47,520 Speaker 2: couscous but larger, and it's technically a pasta, but I 76 00:03:47,560 --> 00:03:48,920 Speaker 2: love the chewiness of it. 77 00:03:48,960 --> 00:03:50,240 Speaker 1: I love the texture of it. 78 00:03:50,680 --> 00:03:52,920 Speaker 2: And typically I'll make it as like a side dish 79 00:03:52,960 --> 00:03:55,280 Speaker 2: to you know, see your chicken or something like that. 80 00:03:55,640 --> 00:03:57,600 Speaker 2: But I wanted to do a recipe where that was 81 00:03:57,640 --> 00:04:01,120 Speaker 2: really the star, that was the primary come opponent, and 82 00:04:01,200 --> 00:04:05,440 Speaker 2: so I made this really delicious Mediterranean It's got Mediterranean cuscouse, 83 00:04:05,560 --> 00:04:07,720 Speaker 2: it's got feta, it's got chickpeas in it, it's got 84 00:04:07,720 --> 00:04:10,600 Speaker 2: some fresh dill, it's got tomatoes, and it is so 85 00:04:10,840 --> 00:04:14,240 Speaker 2: good you could totally eat it on its own as 86 00:04:14,400 --> 00:04:17,800 Speaker 2: a like a maine, but I am going to serve 87 00:04:17,839 --> 00:04:21,800 Speaker 2: it with a sliced rotisserie chicken for my family. But 88 00:04:22,279 --> 00:04:24,720 Speaker 2: the reason it would satisfy it as a main dish 89 00:04:24,800 --> 00:04:28,120 Speaker 2: is because it's so good. It's so addictive that you're 90 00:04:28,120 --> 00:04:30,320 Speaker 2: going to have a double helping like it is that good. 91 00:04:30,360 --> 00:04:32,559 Speaker 2: In fact, we have an assistant that comes and helps 92 00:04:32,600 --> 00:04:36,320 Speaker 2: us with fulfilling recipe. Bhinder orders here at our home 93 00:04:36,360 --> 00:04:39,280 Speaker 2: a couple times a week, and I had I'd been 94 00:04:39,279 --> 00:04:40,880 Speaker 2: testing this recipe and I took smile to her and 95 00:04:40,880 --> 00:04:42,039 Speaker 2: I was like, let me know what you think of that. 96 00:04:42,680 --> 00:04:44,880 Speaker 2: And when she got home, she texted me and said, 97 00:04:45,360 --> 00:04:47,400 Speaker 2: I can't wait for you to release Rescue. 98 00:04:47,800 --> 00:04:50,200 Speaker 1: Can I please have the recipe now? And she made it? 99 00:04:50,320 --> 00:04:51,320 Speaker 1: So is that good? 100 00:04:51,360 --> 00:04:54,359 Speaker 2: So I'm excited to make it. We're having that on Monday. 101 00:04:55,200 --> 00:04:59,360 Speaker 2: Super simple apple cheddar grain bowls we're also doing this week. 102 00:04:59,360 --> 00:05:01,520 Speaker 2: That's one of the old list and most popular recipes 103 00:05:01,560 --> 00:05:05,040 Speaker 2: and recipe club. I use the unexpected cheddar from Trader Joe's. 104 00:05:05,360 --> 00:05:08,680 Speaker 2: Honey crisp apples are at their peak. They're so sweet 105 00:05:08,720 --> 00:05:12,039 Speaker 2: and delicious right now. I do a creamy balsamic with it. 106 00:05:12,560 --> 00:05:15,279 Speaker 2: And speaking of balsamic, the third recipe I'm doing is 107 00:05:15,320 --> 00:05:18,320 Speaker 2: balsamic rosemary, chicken and veggies. And that is a sheet 108 00:05:18,320 --> 00:05:21,760 Speaker 2: pan recipe where I do a balsamic glaze on. I 109 00:05:21,880 --> 00:05:24,000 Speaker 2: usually do chicken thighs, but I might do chicken breast 110 00:05:24,080 --> 00:05:25,279 Speaker 2: just because I have some on hand. 111 00:05:25,920 --> 00:05:27,000 Speaker 1: But it's just it's sweet. 112 00:05:27,000 --> 00:05:28,839 Speaker 2: It's got rosemary in it, so it brings in some 113 00:05:28,880 --> 00:05:31,640 Speaker 2: of those fall flavors. And I'm going to use Brussels 114 00:05:31,680 --> 00:05:35,560 Speaker 2: sprouts and butternut squash and then I'll probably serve it 115 00:05:35,600 --> 00:05:38,520 Speaker 2: with farrow on the side. But there you have it. 116 00:05:38,600 --> 00:05:40,520 Speaker 2: Your recipes for the week. You can find and print 117 00:05:40,560 --> 00:05:43,000 Speaker 2: them all in recipe Club individually or in our weekly 118 00:05:43,000 --> 00:05:45,080 Speaker 2: meal plan with an easy to follow shopping list that's 119 00:05:45,080 --> 00:05:48,960 Speaker 2: broken down by recipe. While recipe Club is an amazing 120 00:05:49,320 --> 00:05:54,200 Speaker 2: ad free recipe resource, no long blog posts, no banner ads, 121 00:05:54,400 --> 00:05:58,160 Speaker 2: no drawn out stories, there's hundreds of recipes in there, 122 00:05:58,200 --> 00:06:02,200 Speaker 2: and they are developed specific for weeknights. And while that 123 00:06:02,320 --> 00:06:05,040 Speaker 2: is all great, the real magic is that we offer. 124 00:06:04,839 --> 00:06:05,960 Speaker 1: A simple dinner system. 125 00:06:06,520 --> 00:06:09,080 Speaker 2: It is something you can return to every week with 126 00:06:09,160 --> 00:06:12,039 Speaker 2: weekly meal planning emails, a site that's designed to help 127 00:06:12,080 --> 00:06:15,360 Speaker 2: you with dinner time decision fatigue, recipes that are family 128 00:06:15,440 --> 00:06:19,120 Speaker 2: tested and clearly written. It really is an incredible resource 129 00:06:19,160 --> 00:06:22,039 Speaker 2: that thousands of families use to help them get dinner 130 00:06:22,080 --> 00:06:25,400 Speaker 2: on the table every week. Our Black Friday sale is 131 00:06:25,440 --> 00:06:28,960 Speaker 2: starting early this year, in just a few days, and 132 00:06:29,000 --> 00:06:32,279 Speaker 2: it's incredible our best deals of the year, and this 133 00:06:32,440 --> 00:06:36,240 Speaker 2: is a perfect time to purchase either a membership for yourself, 134 00:06:36,480 --> 00:06:38,960 Speaker 2: a bundle where you get the whole system with the 135 00:06:39,000 --> 00:06:42,440 Speaker 2: recipe binder and an annual membership, or to purchase some 136 00:06:42,480 --> 00:06:46,240 Speaker 2: gifted memberships for favorite things parties, moms, sisters, mothers in law, 137 00:06:46,600 --> 00:06:48,960 Speaker 2: So keep an eye out for that. All right, let's 138 00:06:49,000 --> 00:06:51,039 Speaker 2: jump into the back half of the podcast and chat 139 00:06:51,080 --> 00:07:02,599 Speaker 2: about a formula for your Thanksgiving feast. Making Thanksgiving dinner, 140 00:07:02,920 --> 00:07:05,520 Speaker 2: whether you're a seasoned veteran or a first timer, can 141 00:07:05,560 --> 00:07:09,520 Speaker 2: be super stressful and intimidating. Things like getting everything on 142 00:07:09,560 --> 00:07:12,080 Speaker 2: the table, warm and ready at the same time is 143 00:07:12,160 --> 00:07:15,720 Speaker 2: no small task. The secret, I'm telling you is having 144 00:07:15,800 --> 00:07:19,560 Speaker 2: a plan. Even if you're an easy going person shocker, 145 00:07:19,720 --> 00:07:22,640 Speaker 2: I'm not, I wish I was. But even if you 146 00:07:22,680 --> 00:07:24,880 Speaker 2: are easy going and you like to cook from the hip, 147 00:07:25,120 --> 00:07:28,160 Speaker 2: this is the one holiday where a solid game plan 148 00:07:28,240 --> 00:07:31,400 Speaker 2: can make all the difference. So this formula we're gonna 149 00:07:31,440 --> 00:07:34,280 Speaker 2: chat about is designed to help you not just survive 150 00:07:34,480 --> 00:07:36,960 Speaker 2: Turkey Day, but to actually enjoy it with your family 151 00:07:37,000 --> 00:07:40,600 Speaker 2: and friends. So you can use, hopefully these same strategies 152 00:07:40,720 --> 00:07:44,160 Speaker 2: year after year to navigate that most anticipated meal of 153 00:07:44,200 --> 00:07:46,800 Speaker 2: the year, so that hopefully it feels a bit more 154 00:07:46,840 --> 00:07:49,880 Speaker 2: manageable and you won't feel nervous coming up to it 155 00:07:49,920 --> 00:07:52,920 Speaker 2: next year. All Right, the first thing everyone should do 156 00:07:53,400 --> 00:07:56,680 Speaker 2: right now is figure out whether you're hosting or guesting. 157 00:07:57,120 --> 00:07:58,560 Speaker 1: Now, there's a very good chance that. 158 00:07:58,600 --> 00:08:01,520 Speaker 2: This is obvious, but if you haven't nailed down what 159 00:08:01,560 --> 00:08:04,920 Speaker 2: you're doing yet for Thanksgiving, now is the time. Today 160 00:08:04,960 --> 00:08:07,080 Speaker 2: we're going to focus on those of you that are hosting, 161 00:08:07,160 --> 00:08:09,440 Speaker 2: and then next week I actually have an entire episode 162 00:08:09,800 --> 00:08:12,600 Speaker 2: on how to be an awesome guest at Thanksgiving. So 163 00:08:12,720 --> 00:08:18,160 Speaker 2: if you're hosting, do these things. First, finalize your guest list. 164 00:08:18,560 --> 00:08:19,440 Speaker 2: How many people. 165 00:08:19,200 --> 00:08:21,720 Speaker 1: Are you cooking for? Then you want to determine your. 166 00:08:21,640 --> 00:08:25,720 Speaker 2: Menu, print the recipes, and make a shopping list. This 167 00:08:25,800 --> 00:08:27,720 Speaker 2: kind of sounds like a lot, so let's break it down. 168 00:08:28,480 --> 00:08:31,040 Speaker 2: First of all, let's finalize that guest list. So I 169 00:08:31,040 --> 00:08:33,439 Speaker 2: would recommend sending a text or you might have to 170 00:08:33,480 --> 00:08:36,040 Speaker 2: make a phone call to Grandma or whoever. Send a 171 00:08:36,040 --> 00:08:39,800 Speaker 2: text to everyone to confirm that they are coming and say, okay, 172 00:08:39,880 --> 00:08:40,240 Speaker 2: you know, I. 173 00:08:40,920 --> 00:08:41,840 Speaker 1: Think we talked about it. 174 00:08:41,920 --> 00:08:44,760 Speaker 2: You're coming with the kids, and you know, just firm 175 00:08:44,920 --> 00:08:47,559 Speaker 2: up that guest list so you know exactly how many 176 00:08:47,640 --> 00:08:50,760 Speaker 2: mouths you're feeding at Thanksgiving. This is a great time 177 00:08:50,760 --> 00:08:53,439 Speaker 2: to think about seating. Are you gonna need some extra tables. 178 00:08:53,440 --> 00:08:55,440 Speaker 2: Are you gonna have the kids eat at a separate 179 00:08:55,440 --> 00:08:58,280 Speaker 2: table from the adults. Are people gonna be outside or inside? 180 00:08:58,360 --> 00:09:01,079 Speaker 2: Just think about that. After you have a pretty good 181 00:09:01,120 --> 00:09:03,920 Speaker 2: idea of how many people will be attending. I actually 182 00:09:04,200 --> 00:09:06,720 Speaker 2: like to physically write their names down. Then, on the 183 00:09:06,760 --> 00:09:10,320 Speaker 2: other side of the paper, include every dish, drink, and 184 00:09:10,400 --> 00:09:13,600 Speaker 2: dessert you want to serve on the big day. If 185 00:09:13,640 --> 00:09:15,960 Speaker 2: you know that some of those guests on the other 186 00:09:16,000 --> 00:09:18,800 Speaker 2: column there have offered to bring something or that they 187 00:09:19,120 --> 00:09:22,560 Speaker 2: like to bring the same dish every year, write that 188 00:09:22,720 --> 00:09:28,040 Speaker 2: down as well. Now back to the menu items. Next 189 00:09:28,080 --> 00:09:31,480 Speaker 2: to each item that you listed out, I like to 190 00:09:32,200 --> 00:09:35,839 Speaker 2: list whether it needs to be served warm, room temperature 191 00:09:36,160 --> 00:09:38,880 Speaker 2: or cold, So I put a W for warm and 192 00:09:39,080 --> 00:09:41,760 Speaker 2: R for room temp, and a SEE for cold. I 193 00:09:41,760 --> 00:09:43,760 Speaker 2: also like to note whether or not the recipe will 194 00:09:43,800 --> 00:09:47,040 Speaker 2: need to be used on the stovetop and the oven, 195 00:09:47,400 --> 00:09:50,319 Speaker 2: and if it's something I can make ahead. So for stovetop, 196 00:09:50,360 --> 00:09:52,600 Speaker 2: I do st For the oven, I do oh, And 197 00:09:52,679 --> 00:09:55,400 Speaker 2: if it can be made ahead, I do MA. Once 198 00:09:55,480 --> 00:09:58,520 Speaker 2: the menu is set and I've identified those little markers, 199 00:09:59,200 --> 00:10:01,160 Speaker 2: this is the time I I really like to assign 200 00:10:01,559 --> 00:10:04,440 Speaker 2: certain menu items to those who've said, let me know 201 00:10:04,480 --> 00:10:07,080 Speaker 2: what I can bring, so that you're left with a 202 00:10:07,160 --> 00:10:11,199 Speaker 2: concrete menu of what you actually need to make. Now, 203 00:10:11,280 --> 00:10:13,520 Speaker 2: keep in mind that if people are willing to bring anything, 204 00:10:14,280 --> 00:10:16,640 Speaker 2: I'd have them bring things that don't need to be 205 00:10:16,679 --> 00:10:17,800 Speaker 2: cooked last. 206 00:10:17,600 --> 00:10:18,920 Speaker 1: Minute or reheated. 207 00:10:19,559 --> 00:10:22,800 Speaker 2: But you can really outsource anything except the turkey. I 208 00:10:22,840 --> 00:10:25,360 Speaker 2: would if you're hosting, I would say do the turkey there. 209 00:10:25,440 --> 00:10:29,360 Speaker 2: It's just too hard to transport a turkey. Personally, I 210 00:10:29,400 --> 00:10:33,120 Speaker 2: always default to assigning out dessert, but you should be 211 00:10:33,160 --> 00:10:35,560 Speaker 2: specific so that you don't end up with like three 212 00:10:35,600 --> 00:10:38,200 Speaker 2: pumpkin pies. So you may say, why don't you bring 213 00:10:38,240 --> 00:10:39,960 Speaker 2: a pie, a fruit pie, why don't you bring a 214 00:10:40,000 --> 00:10:43,720 Speaker 2: cream pie, and why don't you bring a pumpkin cake? 215 00:10:43,760 --> 00:10:45,000 Speaker 1: For the people who hate pie. 216 00:10:45,400 --> 00:10:48,120 Speaker 2: You can kind of get creative about maybe some directions 217 00:10:48,120 --> 00:10:51,720 Speaker 2: you offer people. And since we're discussing the menu, here's 218 00:10:51,760 --> 00:10:54,920 Speaker 2: what my kind of perfect food formula looks like, or 219 00:10:54,920 --> 00:10:58,480 Speaker 2: my food lineup. I gotta have turkey. I know some 220 00:10:58,480 --> 00:10:59,400 Speaker 2: people don't like turkey. 221 00:10:59,480 --> 00:11:00,640 Speaker 1: That's fine. In fact, I even have a. 222 00:11:00,640 --> 00:11:03,040 Speaker 2: Friend who's allergic to all poultry, and so they have 223 00:11:03,120 --> 00:11:05,960 Speaker 2: prime rib and that's great, that's like their Thanksgiving tradition. 224 00:11:06,080 --> 00:11:08,640 Speaker 1: But for me, turkey is a must. 225 00:11:08,960 --> 00:11:12,559 Speaker 2: I love mashed potatoes and gravy. I prefer smashed potatoes 226 00:11:12,600 --> 00:11:16,240 Speaker 2: with a bit more texture stuffing. You gotta have homemade rolls, 227 00:11:17,280 --> 00:11:20,560 Speaker 2: roasted vegetables, or a salad with a tang evenigret. I 228 00:11:20,640 --> 00:11:22,600 Speaker 2: just like that tang, evenigret to cut some of the 229 00:11:22,679 --> 00:11:25,920 Speaker 2: richness of the meal. I think sleet potatoes belong on 230 00:11:25,920 --> 00:11:32,320 Speaker 2: the table. Roasted mashed castrole. However, cranberry salad or any 231 00:11:32,360 --> 00:11:36,320 Speaker 2: other retro recipe that carries meaning or tradition in your family. 232 00:11:36,360 --> 00:11:39,240 Speaker 2: If you have ever heard me talk about Thanksgiving, you 233 00:11:39,280 --> 00:11:42,599 Speaker 2: have heard me talk about my family's very famous cranberry 234 00:11:42,600 --> 00:11:45,199 Speaker 2: salad that came out of my mom's eighth grade home 235 00:11:45,240 --> 00:11:46,360 Speaker 2: economics cookbook. 236 00:11:46,559 --> 00:11:48,600 Speaker 1: I've made it on the Today Show. It's been mentioned 237 00:11:48,600 --> 00:11:48,880 Speaker 1: on the. 238 00:11:48,800 --> 00:11:51,280 Speaker 2: Ellen Show, like this is a famous This is probably 239 00:11:51,320 --> 00:11:54,600 Speaker 2: my most famous recipe and it's so silly because it 240 00:11:54,640 --> 00:11:58,400 Speaker 2: requires many marshmallows and a can of crushed pineapple, but 241 00:11:58,600 --> 00:12:01,560 Speaker 2: it's really that good. And then pie to me pie, 242 00:12:01,679 --> 00:12:04,440 Speaker 2: even though I don't love pie. 243 00:12:04,720 --> 00:12:06,320 Speaker 1: It's got to be there for Thanksgiving. 244 00:12:07,120 --> 00:12:09,840 Speaker 2: What I think is most important is to really think 245 00:12:09,880 --> 00:12:12,520 Speaker 2: about those memory inducing recipes, kind of like that cranberry 246 00:12:12,559 --> 00:12:15,280 Speaker 2: salad for my family. It's the recipes that have a 247 00:12:15,320 --> 00:12:17,720 Speaker 2: story behind them that you look forward to every year. 248 00:12:18,520 --> 00:12:22,840 Speaker 2: In fact, when I am assigning dishes to willing guests, 249 00:12:22,960 --> 00:12:24,679 Speaker 2: I'll often say what do you want. 250 00:12:24,520 --> 00:12:26,080 Speaker 1: To make or what do you love most? 251 00:12:26,200 --> 00:12:28,680 Speaker 2: Or do you have any recipes that mean anything to you, 252 00:12:28,800 --> 00:12:30,680 Speaker 2: especially if they're first timers. 253 00:12:30,600 --> 00:12:32,600 Speaker 1: Because I think people can get. 254 00:12:32,440 --> 00:12:35,319 Speaker 2: More excited about bringing something if it's something they feel 255 00:12:35,360 --> 00:12:38,200 Speaker 2: confident making or that they really want at the table. 256 00:12:38,840 --> 00:12:41,520 Speaker 2: So after your menu is set and your guest list 257 00:12:41,679 --> 00:12:45,320 Speaker 2: is set, I recommend printing the recipes that you'll be 258 00:12:45,400 --> 00:12:48,400 Speaker 2: in charge of making, and then make your grocery list 259 00:12:48,720 --> 00:12:54,400 Speaker 2: from that. I usually do two shops, one now ish 260 00:12:54,640 --> 00:12:59,080 Speaker 2: about ten days out, maybe two weeks out for non perishables, 261 00:12:59,080 --> 00:13:01,720 Speaker 2: so that I'm not scram if I can't find my 262 00:13:01,800 --> 00:13:05,240 Speaker 2: favorite Pepperidge Farm stuffing cubes, or the crushed pineapple that 263 00:13:05,280 --> 00:13:08,640 Speaker 2: goes to my mom's cranberry solid or the almond paste 264 00:13:08,640 --> 00:13:11,560 Speaker 2: that I use for the apple almond pie. And then 265 00:13:11,600 --> 00:13:13,960 Speaker 2: I do a separate shop for all of the fresh 266 00:13:14,000 --> 00:13:17,680 Speaker 2: stuff just a few days before Thanksgiving, then right on 267 00:13:17,720 --> 00:13:19,440 Speaker 2: your schedule the days you plan to shop. 268 00:13:20,480 --> 00:13:23,200 Speaker 1: If you follow these simple. 269 00:13:22,880 --> 00:13:25,320 Speaker 2: Steps or this formula, you will be ahead of the 270 00:13:25,360 --> 00:13:28,920 Speaker 2: game and set up truly for a successful feast. I 271 00:13:29,040 --> 00:13:30,840 Speaker 2: just want to run through a few other tips that 272 00:13:30,880 --> 00:13:33,280 Speaker 2: tend to save me every year. I literally have these 273 00:13:33,320 --> 00:13:36,400 Speaker 2: printed out in my Thanksgiving guide or my collection because 274 00:13:36,440 --> 00:13:41,760 Speaker 2: they're annual reminders that make Thanksgiving more manageable and meaningful 275 00:13:41,800 --> 00:13:43,960 Speaker 2: for me. And if I don't remind myself every year, 276 00:13:44,480 --> 00:13:46,199 Speaker 2: I easily become a stress case. 277 00:13:46,360 --> 00:13:50,319 Speaker 1: So let's run through these. These are literally the tips 278 00:13:50,320 --> 00:13:51,240 Speaker 1: that save me every year. 279 00:13:51,600 --> 00:13:55,640 Speaker 2: So Number One, plan easy weeknight meals. 280 00:13:56,080 --> 00:13:57,760 Speaker 1: Map out a few weeks of. 281 00:13:57,760 --> 00:14:00,040 Speaker 2: Easy meals leading up to the holiday. It's such a 282 00:14:00,080 --> 00:14:02,640 Speaker 2: crazy month and you're gonna want to keep dinner simple 283 00:14:02,720 --> 00:14:05,079 Speaker 2: to build, and you're going to want to keep dinner 284 00:14:05,120 --> 00:14:08,240 Speaker 2: simple by building in some nights for just pizza or 285 00:14:08,280 --> 00:14:10,240 Speaker 2: freezer meals like now is the time to do it. 286 00:14:11,559 --> 00:14:14,360 Speaker 2: And if you're looking for resources, recipe Club's got them. 287 00:14:14,360 --> 00:14:17,440 Speaker 2: We are doing super simple meals in recipe Club all month. 288 00:14:18,280 --> 00:14:22,000 Speaker 2: Next is to review traditions. Write down the simple traditions 289 00:14:22,000 --> 00:14:24,440 Speaker 2: that mean the most to you, and then schedule reminders 290 00:14:24,440 --> 00:14:27,120 Speaker 2: to carry them out. Remember it's never too late to 291 00:14:27,200 --> 00:14:30,040 Speaker 2: establish a new tradition. But silly things like we always 292 00:14:30,120 --> 00:14:34,480 Speaker 2: name our turkey every year, and if in my recipe 293 00:14:34,480 --> 00:14:36,920 Speaker 2: binder where all of my Thanksgiving recipes are, I have 294 00:14:37,120 --> 00:14:40,400 Speaker 2: a little list of our traditions that's something we remember. 295 00:14:40,000 --> 00:14:40,880 Speaker 1: To do every year. 296 00:14:41,640 --> 00:14:46,560 Speaker 2: Or we always watch this movie on Thanksgiving, or we 297 00:14:46,680 --> 00:14:51,920 Speaker 2: always let two of the kids snap the wishbone. There's 298 00:14:52,000 --> 00:14:53,920 Speaker 2: all sorts of different things you could do. But I 299 00:14:54,000 --> 00:15:00,400 Speaker 2: highly recommend actually writing down those traditions. Next, easy on 300 00:15:00,400 --> 00:15:03,560 Speaker 2: the new recipes. Do not, I repeat, do not make 301 00:15:03,600 --> 00:15:06,800 Speaker 2: a recipe for the first time when hosting a big meal. 302 00:15:07,520 --> 00:15:10,400 Speaker 2: Stick to the tried and true recipes you know you 303 00:15:10,440 --> 00:15:12,200 Speaker 2: can trust, or make sure you. 304 00:15:12,160 --> 00:15:13,440 Speaker 1: Give it a test drive beforehand. 305 00:15:13,480 --> 00:15:15,240 Speaker 2: It's totally fine if you want to make something new, 306 00:15:15,400 --> 00:15:17,360 Speaker 2: and I actually think If you're going to a friends giving, 307 00:15:17,400 --> 00:15:19,720 Speaker 2: that's a perfect time to make something new. You just 308 00:15:19,760 --> 00:15:21,280 Speaker 2: don't want it to be when you have a house 309 00:15:21,320 --> 00:15:26,400 Speaker 2: full of eighteen people who are counting on you for dinner. Next, 310 00:15:26,520 --> 00:15:29,720 Speaker 2: let people help. It's impossible to carry out Thanksgiving all 311 00:15:29,760 --> 00:15:33,760 Speaker 2: by yourself. This is worth repeating. Accept help, embrace it, 312 00:15:33,880 --> 00:15:37,960 Speaker 2: and ask for it. This next one is particularly for me. 313 00:15:39,400 --> 00:15:44,760 Speaker 2: Don't apologize. Don't be an apologetic stressed out host. It's 314 00:15:44,880 --> 00:15:50,160 Speaker 2: justses you and your guests out. Remember Kelsey, Messy rooms 315 00:15:50,160 --> 00:15:51,640 Speaker 2: don't matter. People don't care. 316 00:15:51,920 --> 00:15:54,160 Speaker 1: It's about the connection and it'sout being there to create 317 00:15:54,200 --> 00:15:56,800 Speaker 1: a memory. I have lots of kids. 318 00:15:57,120 --> 00:15:59,480 Speaker 2: We probably have just as many kids that are Thanksgiving 319 00:15:59,520 --> 00:16:03,280 Speaker 2: as we do adults. So this is a reminder to 320 00:16:03,400 --> 00:16:08,040 Speaker 2: have tasks or a project to keep kids occupied while 321 00:16:08,040 --> 00:16:10,360 Speaker 2: you're putting the final touches on the meal. They can 322 00:16:10,360 --> 00:16:13,040 Speaker 2: write place cards or fill glasses with ice, or add 323 00:16:13,040 --> 00:16:16,600 Speaker 2: flowers to little bud vases, or play music. Just something 324 00:16:16,680 --> 00:16:21,520 Speaker 2: like that. And then, finally, people over perfection focus on 325 00:16:21,600 --> 00:16:26,320 Speaker 2: being welcoming versus being impressive. If a beautiful table and 326 00:16:26,480 --> 00:16:29,880 Speaker 2: lit candles are important to you, that's great. Just don't 327 00:16:29,960 --> 00:16:33,040 Speaker 2: let it get in the way of enjoying your guests. 328 00:16:33,760 --> 00:16:37,600 Speaker 2: So hopefully there are a few tips in here that 329 00:16:37,600 --> 00:16:39,960 Speaker 2: will be helpful to you if you are hosting that 330 00:16:40,000 --> 00:16:42,960 Speaker 2: you can get ready member start, finalize that guest list, 331 00:16:43,160 --> 00:16:46,400 Speaker 2: Finalize your menu, Assign dishes to those who are willing 332 00:16:46,440 --> 00:16:50,280 Speaker 2: to bring something, print out all your recipes, create a 333 00:16:50,320 --> 00:16:53,400 Speaker 2: shopping list and schedule when you're going to shop. That 334 00:16:53,600 --> 00:16:56,440 Speaker 2: is where i'd start, and you've done most of the 335 00:16:56,480 --> 00:16:59,720 Speaker 2: heavy lifting at that point, quite honestly, all right, let's 336 00:16:59,720 --> 00:17:02,960 Speaker 2: finish how we always finish with my weekly gimme five 337 00:17:03,360 --> 00:17:06,119 Speaker 2: five things that made my life easier are more enjoyable 338 00:17:06,280 --> 00:17:10,879 Speaker 2: this week. So this weekend I happened to be testing. 339 00:17:10,960 --> 00:17:12,680 Speaker 1: A couple turkey recipes for you guys. 340 00:17:12,720 --> 00:17:15,320 Speaker 2: I'm gonna share my best turkey tips on Instagram, and 341 00:17:15,400 --> 00:17:17,840 Speaker 2: so I've got a couple of different methods that I'm 342 00:17:17,880 --> 00:17:20,360 Speaker 2: doing and I'm excited to do that. But I went 343 00:17:20,480 --> 00:17:25,040 Speaker 2: looking for my gravy separator because I swear it's like, 344 00:17:25,240 --> 00:17:28,560 Speaker 2: I'm not a huge gadget person in the kitchen, but 345 00:17:28,680 --> 00:17:32,960 Speaker 2: I love a gravy separator, especially on Thanksgiving when you 346 00:17:33,040 --> 00:17:35,080 Speaker 2: kind of have to make gravy last minute. I actually 347 00:17:35,119 --> 00:17:37,879 Speaker 2: have a make ahead gravy recipe, but even then, you 348 00:17:37,960 --> 00:17:39,800 Speaker 2: got to get the drippings from the turkey to make 349 00:17:39,840 --> 00:17:43,119 Speaker 2: the gravy. And a gravy separator is such a great 350 00:17:43,400 --> 00:17:46,600 Speaker 2: tool so that it separates the fat from the actual flavor. 351 00:17:46,240 --> 00:17:47,119 Speaker 1: Of those drippings. 352 00:17:47,560 --> 00:17:49,919 Speaker 2: And I could not find it, so I had to 353 00:17:50,000 --> 00:17:52,400 Speaker 2: order a new one and it'll be here in time 354 00:17:52,440 --> 00:17:55,480 Speaker 2: for me to test my turkey recipe. But if you 355 00:17:55,800 --> 00:17:58,560 Speaker 2: are in charge of gravy this year or the turkey, 356 00:17:59,760 --> 00:18:03,360 Speaker 2: I think investing in a gravy separator is totally worth it. 357 00:18:04,040 --> 00:18:05,360 Speaker 1: Next, while I was. 358 00:18:05,320 --> 00:18:10,359 Speaker 2: On Amazon reordering gravy separator, I also ordered napkins for 359 00:18:10,400 --> 00:18:13,520 Speaker 2: our Thanksgiving table. So there's this company called Simu Linen, 360 00:18:14,240 --> 00:18:16,359 Speaker 2: and I'm trying to think about when I first learned 361 00:18:16,359 --> 00:18:19,920 Speaker 2: of these napkins. I actually think it's when I spent 362 00:18:19,960 --> 00:18:23,160 Speaker 2: two summers as an intern at Martha Stewart Living years ago, 363 00:18:23,600 --> 00:18:26,000 Speaker 2: years years years ago, and I think that's when I 364 00:18:26,000 --> 00:18:30,240 Speaker 2: first saw these napkins. But they are technically disposal, but 365 00:18:30,320 --> 00:18:33,960 Speaker 2: they feel so thick and like good quality. It's not 366 00:18:34,000 --> 00:18:35,840 Speaker 2: something we use all the time, but it is perfect 367 00:18:35,840 --> 00:18:38,240 Speaker 2: for a Thanksgiving table when you might have a lot 368 00:18:38,280 --> 00:18:42,280 Speaker 2: of guests and maybe you don't have enough fabric napkins 369 00:18:42,359 --> 00:18:44,560 Speaker 2: or you don't want to wash them all afterwards, but 370 00:18:44,720 --> 00:18:47,359 Speaker 2: they it's a really great product. So I got some 371 00:18:47,400 --> 00:18:49,159 Speaker 2: of those to put on our Thanksgiving table. 372 00:18:49,920 --> 00:18:52,400 Speaker 1: Number three. I have been listening to the. 373 00:18:52,280 --> 00:18:57,800 Speaker 2: Ina Garten memoir all week and it is just the best. 374 00:18:58,040 --> 00:19:01,800 Speaker 2: It's so good, you guys, I can't stop thinking about it. 375 00:19:01,840 --> 00:19:06,679 Speaker 2: I find her to be incredibly impressive, super charming. I 376 00:19:06,760 --> 00:19:09,359 Speaker 2: fell even more in love with Jeffrey, her husband, like 377 00:19:09,560 --> 00:19:12,640 Speaker 2: it just is such a wonderful story. I loved hearing 378 00:19:12,680 --> 00:19:15,360 Speaker 2: about how the barefoot contest has started. So if you've 379 00:19:15,400 --> 00:19:18,320 Speaker 2: been on the fence or you've been thinking I should 380 00:19:18,359 --> 00:19:22,119 Speaker 2: listen or read the Ininergarten memoir, do it. And you 381 00:19:22,160 --> 00:19:23,639 Speaker 2: know what, There's no better time to do it than 382 00:19:23,680 --> 00:19:27,040 Speaker 2: while you're mapping out Thanksgiving. So highly recommend it five 383 00:19:27,080 --> 00:19:31,840 Speaker 2: stars all around. Next is I got myself a Thanksgiving sweater. 384 00:19:32,520 --> 00:19:34,960 Speaker 2: I had to go up to an event a couple 385 00:19:34,960 --> 00:19:38,280 Speaker 2: hours north of where I'm at in LA and I 386 00:19:38,480 --> 00:19:41,320 Speaker 2: happened upon a store of a brand that I had 387 00:19:41,359 --> 00:19:42,600 Speaker 2: my eye on for a long time, but I didn't 388 00:19:42,600 --> 00:19:44,679 Speaker 2: realize they had stores in the US. The brand is 389 00:19:44,720 --> 00:19:50,280 Speaker 2: Sezon and it's an amazing French company. Love their simple, 390 00:19:50,600 --> 00:19:53,679 Speaker 2: classic pieces. And I walked in and I was like, oh, 391 00:19:53,720 --> 00:19:54,399 Speaker 2: I'm in trouble. 392 00:19:55,240 --> 00:19:56,320 Speaker 1: It's so beautiful. 393 00:19:56,840 --> 00:19:58,280 Speaker 2: And I thought, you don't even to treat myself to 394 00:19:58,320 --> 00:20:02,520 Speaker 2: a Thanksgiving swetter. This great sweater. It's just cream with 395 00:20:02,600 --> 00:20:06,760 Speaker 2: brown like simple stripes and these beautiful buttons. And I 396 00:20:06,880 --> 00:20:09,040 Speaker 2: justified it by saying, this is what I'm gonna wear 397 00:20:09,119 --> 00:20:13,800 Speaker 2: on Thanksgiving, so treat yourself to Thanksgiving sweater. And then finally, 398 00:20:13,920 --> 00:20:18,639 Speaker 2: it is the Sephora Sale, and my mom keeps reminding me. 399 00:20:18,680 --> 00:20:24,680 Speaker 2: My mom loves makeup and lotions and potions, and there's 400 00:20:24,720 --> 00:20:26,600 Speaker 2: a whole textard going on what you're gonna get at 401 00:20:26,600 --> 00:20:30,480 Speaker 2: the Sephora Sale. And I am not as much of 402 00:20:30,520 --> 00:20:34,840 Speaker 2: an enthusiast as my mother, but there is one product 403 00:20:34,960 --> 00:20:38,359 Speaker 2: that I get every single year, and it is the 404 00:20:38,640 --> 00:20:45,360 Speaker 2: Charlotte Tillbury Hyaluronic Happy Kiss lipstick balm. I love it, 405 00:20:46,040 --> 00:20:49,439 Speaker 2: and normally I would just I'm like, I would consider 406 00:20:49,480 --> 00:20:51,840 Speaker 2: myself probably a drugstore lip bomb kind of girl, but 407 00:20:51,880 --> 00:20:52,520 Speaker 2: not this one. 408 00:20:52,840 --> 00:20:53,480 Speaker 1: Not this one. 409 00:20:53,960 --> 00:20:56,000 Speaker 2: I love the color that you get from it. I 410 00:20:56,040 --> 00:20:57,960 Speaker 2: love how it feels on my lips. It lasts a 411 00:20:57,960 --> 00:21:00,480 Speaker 2: long time, but it's not as intense as a lipin, 412 00:21:01,040 --> 00:21:04,199 Speaker 2: and so I always order some and that went in 413 00:21:04,280 --> 00:21:07,359 Speaker 2: my shopping cart. All right, that's it for today. Make 414 00:21:07,400 --> 00:21:09,400 Speaker 2: sure you're subscribed to the podcast so that you never 415 00:21:09,440 --> 00:21:12,560 Speaker 2: miss an episode. Remember, I created this entire podcast so 416 00:21:12,560 --> 00:21:14,680 Speaker 2: that you can have a quick twenty minute listen while 417 00:21:14,680 --> 00:21:17,040 Speaker 2: you map out your own meals for the week. Listening 418 00:21:17,040 --> 00:21:19,120 Speaker 2: to a podcast while I meal plan has been part 419 00:21:19,200 --> 00:21:21,520 Speaker 2: of my simple dinner system for as long as I 420 00:21:21,560 --> 00:21:24,280 Speaker 2: can remember, so I try and put out a perfect 421 00:21:24,320 --> 00:21:27,080 Speaker 2: fit for that each week. I really appreciate you guys 422 00:21:27,160 --> 00:21:29,560 Speaker 2: listening today. I'm so glad you're here. Until next time, 423 00:21:29,600 --> 00:21:32,520 Speaker 2: happy cooking. I'm Kelsey and look forward to chatting with 424 00:21:32,640 --> 00:21:33,879 Speaker 2: you all next week.