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in Recipes· Thanksgiving

Timing holiday meals

 

I think the hardest part about prepping for the holidays is timing holiday meals perfectly. After spending so much time putting together a mouth-watering meal… it’s nice to have people actually be able to eat it while it’s warm.

 

Am I the only one that finds it slightly irritating if the meal that I’ve slaved over gets cold and then has to be microwaved or reheated in order for it to be enjoyed? I just want everyone to be able to enjoy it fresh, as it’s been prepared.

 

How do you do that for the holidays, though?

 

It’s hard to plan the meal with perfect timing.

 

On one hand, you don’t want to plan it too early and rush people to sit and eat the very moment they’ve walked in the door, leaving the late stragglers to fend for themselves….

 

And on the other hand, if you wait too long after your guests have arrived, you get the whining and moaning (sometimes even from the children) that they can’t bear to wait even one more moment to eat!

 

After many years of trying to find the best way to tackle this dilemma… I’ve finally come to a solution- appetizers and snacks!

 

Ristorante pizza by Dr. Oetker!

 

This Thanksgiving, I plan to serve my meal a little later, and simply have several appetizers out and ready for guests when they arrive. They can snack on those until the final dinner is ready.

ristorante-close

What I love most about using Ristorante for this is the versatility. While it can be used for a full meal, it can also make the perfect appetizer too. It’s all about how you cut it! Small squares allow your guests to munch a bit, without completely ruining their appetites for dinner!

ristorante-appetizers-wider

Not just the pizza, for appetizers, but we can do some Mini Turkey Trifles for the kids (really, I love them too) and set out crudité for the adults.

mini-turkey-trifle

These Honey Gorgonzola Appetizers are to die for amazing. I’m making them again this year but adding very thin slices of pear before popping them in the oven, at my friend Ally’s suggestion.

gorgonzola cheese appetizers

 

 

 

Creamy Spinach and Artichoke Dip is always a crowd pleaser

 

Creamy-Spinach-Artichoke-Dip

Since discovering this solution, I expect the holidays will run much more smoothly. We won’t have anyone getting cranky from hunger, and we won’t be rushing to eat while excluding anyone that isn’t able to make it right on time!

 

What’s your holiday trick for getting the meal on the table at the perfect time?

 

 ristorante-post-prize-pack

Enter to win a Holiday Host Prize Pack valued at $75 including Dr. Oetker’s Ristorante Pizza coupons along with entertaining essentials from Crate & Barrel and Pottery Barn.

 

This post is part of my Ambassador Program with Ristorante Pizza. Opinions are my own.

 

 

 

About Brett

I'm a 40 something lifestyle blogger living in Connecticut with my husband and our 3 kids, plus our two rescue pups. We love to hike, travel, play games, watch movies, and just be outside together! Having 3 active kids makes for a hectic schedule and I try to share content, recipes and other things that can help to make today's busy family life simpler, easier, or just plain more fun!

I started working full time at a local middle school in fall 2021 and some of my students are insistent that I am mean.

Comments

  1. Betty C says

    So far I haven’t found a way to get our traditional dinner on the table without having to microwave something. Two ovens helps as does the crock pot, but every holiday ends up with the microwave getting some use.

  5. Jill Myrick says

    Some of holiday entertaining essentials are a great cutting board, a cheeseboard for serving, several platters and a punch bowl.

    jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com

  9. Jennifer J says

    My costco membership is great for when I entertain. They have so many different frozen, fresh and boxed items.

  12. Cori Westphal says

    I try to have festive plates and napkins to keep the theme alive. And it isn’t a party at our house without chips and a variety of dips!

    coriwestphal at msn dot com

  19. christine burd says

    My holiday essentials include my mothers fancy glasses for mimosas and her lovely serving dishes for our turkey

  23. sandy weinstein says

    i dont really cook anymore, except for my dogs. i dont entertain. when my mother lived with me, i would cook for her. but i love turkey and cranberry jello the way my mother would fix. she was a great cook and loved to entertain. the essentials would be a big roaster for the turkey which is a necessity.

  29. Terry Cover says

    Some type of games prior to the meal and good desserts. After the dinner football and snacks.

  34. Margaret Smith says

    We like to have appetizers before dinner and relax for awhile. I usually make serve simple appetizers, like raw veggies and dip, deviled eggs and stuffed mushrooms. After a couple of hours, we then serve dinner.

  36. Cindy Merrill says

    Well, as a food historian, I find it’s a huge crowd pleaser when I make vinegar pie: This is a treat seldom heard of, even more special when I use my heavy glass pie plate for this occasion ( in the old days, tin or cast iron pie plates were common place, Glass dishes were ONLY for weddings or Holidays).

  38. karen says

    We usually eat in the afternoon. That way most everyone can sleep late and grab breakfast when it suits them. Then big meal and little snacking later on after dinner. Works good because if someone comes by later they can eat while others nibble and do not feel awkward. I aim to make every one feel welcome and loved no matter when they come.

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