Fast Thanksgiving

If you have no time to cook dinner, you won't have much time to worry about the table. However, set aside 15 minutes to transform your everyday dining table into a beautiful Thanksgiving table. Cover the table with a cream-colored cloth and brown runner. Take a walk around your house and get creative with the place mats. Stack plates on the table and fill a basket with utensils; when the dinner is ready, guests can grab a plate and servingware. Choose a versatile glass that can hold the cocktail, and both red and white wine.

Line the glasses in a row next to the wine and drinks and let guests serve themselves. Instead of running around the house lighting a million candles, save time by assembling them all in one place. No time to run to the florist? Step outside and gather pretty, colorful Fall leaves. Fold white cardstock in half for a simple place card.

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As much as I love cocktails made from fresh, seasonal ingredients, sometimes there simply isn't time — especially when you need Thanksgiving dinner ready in a hurry — to juice 20 blood oranges. The grocery store liquor aisle is crowded with generic and overly-sweet cocktail mixers, but there's one brand I trust for excellent mixers: Stirrings. With their blood orange flavor you can make a quick batch of blood orange bellinis.

Serve wine at mealtime. Call your local wine shop and ask them to set aside a couple of Thanksgiving-friendly bottles for you. Use their expertise to save time. You won't have to research wine pairings or stand in the wine aisle wondering what to buy. Don't forget sparkling apple cider, water, and soda for the kids. To look at the easy blood orange bellini recipe, read more

If you are in a hurry for a Thanksgiving dessert, the easiest thing to do is be like Sandra Lee and take some help from the store. Use a ready-made pie crust, instant pudding mix, and caramel sauce to assemble a delicious turtle pumpkin pie. The recipe calls for cool whipped topping, but it really doesn't take that long to make.

If you have the time, I suggest whipping the cream with a couple tablespoons of sugar and a teaspoon of vanilla extract. To look at this easy recipe, read more

Many people think that serving your family a classic, delicious Thanksgiving requires days of work in the kitchen. However, with a little culinary savviness, one can make a complete meal in a couple of hours. Pick up store-bought snacks to tide over your crowd until turkey time. Put together a simple cheese plate with olives, nuts, figs, and charcuterie.

Cut cook time in half by serving a roasted turkey breast instead of a whole turkey. Keep the stuffing simple and the flavoring ingredients to a minimum. A gravy that doesn't require turkey drippings is another time saver. Combine the sweet potato side with the traditional mashed potatoes. Make a quick cranberry sauce with sugar, cranberries, and water. Serve one vegetable side in the form of a crunchy broccoli-cauliflower gratin. To look at these fast and easy recipes, read more

Too busy to think about Thanksgiving? No worries, this week I'm planning a quick and easy Thanksgiving dinner that requires little effort and minimal stress. With help from the grocery store everything on the menu can be made the day of. A dinner party that gives thanks can be stress-free and delicious. Instead of hosting a formal fete, host a casual meal with the emphasis on friends and family. To get started, call guests to invite them to dinner, or send these easy, hand-written invites in the mail. Learn how I made them and, read more