How to Use Oven Space on Thanksgiving

by POPSUGAR Food 0

Thanksgiving typically involves appetizers, a cornucopia of vegetables cooked every which way, a huge turkey, stuffing, and inevitably some kind of pie. This can result in a majorly stressful oven situation considering many (if not all) of these items require oven-cooking. How do you avoid such a traffic jam and make sure that all of your delicious dishes are done at the same time?

Plan ahead! While you're planning your Thanksgiving spread, keep in mind how much oven space you actually have and adjust your menu accordingly. Select appetizers that can be made ahead of time and served cold or that don't require oven time at all. Caramelized leek, goat cheese, and bacon dip or homemade hummus served with sliced bread or fresh vegetables would be two great options. Cook anything that you can in advance the day before to save time and oven space. Also, many vegetable dishes and pies can be made ahead of time and served room temperature.

If worst comes to worst and you find yourself on Thanksgiving Day in a bind, don't be afraid to turn to your microwave to reheat dishes before serving. Also keep in mind that multiple items in an oven often increase the cooking time so you may need to bump up the temperature a bit. And most importantly, be sure to laugh off every little culinary bump. It's Thanksgiving, after all!