Recipe(tried): Holiday Dinner Mashed Potatoes and Dressing Make Ahead Tips

Shannon: A couple more thoughts....

You can also make your mashed potatoes ahead and reheat them in the microwave or oven. If you are new to mashed potatoes, here are a few hints I heard on the radio last week:

Russet potatoes or Idaho potatoes make the best mashed potatoes. Cut the potatoes in somewhat equal pieces for boiling. After boiling, drain them VERY VERY WELL Be sure the milk or bouillon you add to the potatoes is heated. Adding cold liquid to the mashed potatoes can result in lumps.

And, you might want to consider baking your dressing in a casserole dish instead of inside the turkey. There is a high risk of food-borne problems with stuffed turkeys. This also enables you to prepare the dressing ahead AND you don't need to be de-stuffing the turkey just before dinner. (Some people put a couple whole onions inside the turkey when baking it without stuffing.)

I also use cooking bags for making my dressing in a casserole dish. Keeps it moist and greatly reduces cleanup. I remove the dressing from the bag after it is baked and serve it in a nice bowl (just as would be done when removing from turkey and put into serving bowl). It is good to use broth to moisten your casserole dressing (instead of just water). You can also put strips of bacon on the top of the casserole while it is baking to add flavor. Or, if you are boiling the turkey neck and giblets the night before, you can add the meat from the neck, or the giblets to your dressing for more flavor. (Oh, also, finely chopped meat from the turkey neck and chopped giblets are also good in gravy.)

Prepare the dressing ahead, including putting it in the bag and in the casserole dish so all you have to do before dinner is put the dish in the oven. And, you'll only need to bake it 30 minutes to an hour depending on the size of your casserole dish.

And, remember, it is wonderful when all goes well with the meal...BUT... the focus of the Holiday is best centered on family and/or friends. Food should supplement the event, not make it or break it!

Happy Holidays, Shannon.