The Scramble's Thanksgiving Checklists Planning Tools So You'll

The Scramble’s Thanksgiving Guide: Planning Tools To Make the Holiday Simpler Thanksgiving can often be a time of stress and strain, especially if you are the host. But, with advanced planning and great recipes, you can take much of the “scramble” out of the day. In an effort to help alleviate this tension, we have put together some planning tools and recipes so that your preparation can be smooth, leaving time for what Thanksgiving is all about—connecting with those you love and expressing gratitude for all that you have.

Wishing you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving! Planning and Preparation Checklist

1-3 Weeks Out Decide on menu Assign dishes to others/guests (Yes! Ask for help!) Inventory serving dishes, utensils, tables, tablecloths, and chairs to make sure you have what you need

1 Week Out Making shopping lists (groceries, cooking supplies, alcohol)(see next checklist for ideas/a starting point) Plan shopping trips (when, where, and who will do the shopping) Make cooking plan - Who is cooking which dishes - What can be made ahead of time - What is made on Thanksgiving Day Prepare any make-ahead dishes you can (e.g., cranberry sauce, muffins/cornbread, some casseroles, some desserts) (see recipe list for inspiration)

Day Before Get house & table ready (get help from family with this!) Set out serving dishes and label with what will go in each Devise cooking plan for the next day (tip: build in an extra hour so you don’t panic) Get to bed early!

Thanksgiving Day Assign kids helping tasks they can do without supervision (e.g., setting table, cleaning, assembling appetizers, decorating the house, making place cards) and/or send them out for a picnic at the park so they can get their crazies out and not be underfoot Follow your cooking plan!

Want healthy, delicious, and less stressful meals all year round? Subscribe to The Scramble—healthy meal planning for busy families! www.thescramble.com ©2019 The Six O’Clock Scramble, LLC Thanksgiving Shopping Lists Here are some suggestions for items you might need, regardless of your menu. Use this list as a starting point and then augment it depending on your menu and additional needs.

Filling Those Stomachs Cutting board(s) Turkey (and/or ingredients for Vegetable peeler vegetarian main dish) Mixing bowls Fresh herbs for turkey and/or stuffing Roasting pan(s) Russet potatoes Twine to truss the turkey (tie its Sweet potatoes legs together) Onions Turkey baster Celery Meat thermometer Carrots Foil Green vegetable Gravy boat Apples Serving bowls Cranberry sauce (or ingredients for Serving spoons, forks, pie servers cranberry sauce) Storage containers (for leftovers) Canned pumpkin or fresh pumpkin to Setting the Mood roast Activity for kids Pie crust(s) (or ingredients for pie Place cards crusts) Tablecloth (fabric or disposable) Gravy (or ingredients for gravy) Candles Stuffing ingredients/mix Flowers Chicken broth Gourds Butter Table settings (plates, glasses, Cooking spray utensils) Olive oil Napkins (fabric or paper) Salt and pepper

To Wash the Food Down It’s Time to Clean Up! Ice Trash bags Club soda/seltzer water Dish towels Ingredients for cocktails Paper towels Wine Stain remover (to treat spots on Apple cider tablecloth and clothes) Coffee Cleaning spray (to clean up spills) Tea Vacuum sealing wine saver Lemons/limes File folder to save menu and favorite recipes/strategies with comments for next year Used for Preparation and Serving Sharpened knives (chef’s and paring) Apron

Want healthy, delicious, and less stressful meals all year round? Subscribe to The Scramble—healthy meal planning for busy families! www.thescramble.com ©2019 The Six O’Clock Scramble, LLC Scramble Recipes for the Thanksgiving Table Use the following list of Scramble recipes as inspiration for your Thanksgiving menu! An added bonus to this list: almost everything can be made ahead of time to make the actual day easier.

Appetizers and Starters Whether your family starts with a sit-down starter or passed hors d’oeuvres, we’ve got you covered with lots of tasty, vegetable-based dishes that are simple to prepare. Cranberry & Brie Puffs: These are little pillows of love. A tad tart and a touch creamy, everything your heart could desire. Make them ahead of time, freeze, and then warm up in the oven right before go-time.

Creamy Cauliflower Soup with Pomegranate and Peanuts: This creamy soup will start everyone off on the right foot. You can top each bowl with the pomegranate seeds and peanuts before serving or let everyone top their own. This is also simple to make ahead and can even be made vegan.

Creamy Indian-Spiced Spinach Dip: This dish can add a special flair to the table, plus you’ll get some greens in! Not only can this be made ahead of time, but the flavors will get even better if you do—a win-win.

Pumpkin Crostini: This has become an annual tradition in Jessica’s house. Packed with flavor and fiber, they’re sure to be a winner! While they take only 20 minutes to make, you can also prepare the spread ahead of time to make life even easier.

Spinach Balls: These babies are so easy to pop into your mouth, especially with their delicious dill dip, that you might need to make sure you save room for the main event!

Vegetarian Main Dishes Looking for an alternative to tofurkey for your vegetarian family members? These dishes are hearty and festive.

Baked Risotto with Spinach and Cremini Mushrooms: The magic of this risotto is that it is baked, which means no standing over the stove stirring! Throw it in the oven as the turkey rests and everyone will get to enjoy a scrumptious meal!

French Cassoulet with White Beans and Vegetarian Sausage: A classic French specialty, this vegetarian version is simple to make and oh so delicious.

Cornbread Stuffing with Pomegranate Seeds: This special stuffing has so much going for it. It’s sweet, it’s savory, and it’s got a special pop from those pomegranate seeds! You can make this a day or two ahead of time and then reheat right before the meal.

Low-Sugar Orange-Ginger Cranberry Sauce: Once you make this sauce, you’ll never go back to the old, canned version again! Cranberry sauce is also a great candidate for making ahead.

Sweet Whole Wheat Cornbread: This recipe is basically as simple as using the boxed variety, but with whole grains and more flavor. Trust us, you’ll be so happy you made it. Make this (even a month ahead of time) and freeze to pull out on Thanksgiving morning.

Desserts From little bites to fun, new pies, we’ve got a little something for everyone with this dessert spread! Celia’s Chocolate Marshmallow Clusters: These bites of goodness are a great candidate for the Thanksgiving dessert table since you can take just one or a whole bunch.

Chocolate Bark with Pomegranate Seeds, Coconut, and Ginger: Seasonal and super easy, this is such a fun and beautiful option for Thanksgiving Day!

Pumpkin Chocolate-Chip Muffins: Whether you make them full-sized muffins or the mini-variety, these are a fun alternative to pumpkin bread.

Sweet Potato Pie: Move over pumpkin pie, there’s a new dessert in town. The natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes means you can cut back on the added sugar, but still have a sweet and decadent treat.