Reply to Help! Hosting Thanksgiving for the first time, where to start, and... I cannot cook!

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[quote=Anonymous]If pies intimidate you, buy them.  That's one easy step out of the way.  Same thing for whipped cream--it comes in a can, or just use ice cream instead.  OP's right--if you want to make your own, now's not the time to learn crust.  Buy pre-made refrigerated crust and just do the fillings.  And do them a day ahead.  They'll keep.

If you have trouble staying organized, definitely plan out a schedule in advance.  It'll help a ton, so you don't get lost and flustered that day.  I've gotta say--if it's your first time, eating at 4 or 5 really would be a lot easier.  I'd think DH could suck it up and watch football anyway (it's on all day), or even (gulp) help you out.  (BTW, DH here.)

The good Whole Foods gravy is in a fridge case near the deli section, in tupperware containers.  (Don't do canned or boxed.)  I think it only comes in two flavors--Turkey Gravy, or (for the vegetarians) Mushroom Gravy.  BTW I'm not a vegetarian, but the Mushroom Gravy is really good.  I usually get both.

BTW, some things that really keep the guests happy--GOOD coffee for the coffee drinkers, half-and-half or real cream for the coffee even if you don't normally do that, and a pot of hot cider on the stove (or in a crockpot) that people can dip into.  The cider's easy: dump in a gallon, add 2 or 3 cinnamon sticks, stick a bunch of whole cloves into a clementine or orange and let it float around in there, and just keep it warm all day.  If any of your guests want something harder, you could keep a bottle of bourbon nearby so they can spike their own.

For wine choices, see the "inexpensive wines" thread.  Don't do big wines like cabernet--they overwhelm the food.  Good choices are pinot noir for the red, and riesling for the white.  They're lighter body, food-friendly, and lower in alcohol (esp. the Riesling), so people can keep drinking through the meal and not get snockered.  [/quote]

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