This post is geared toward the novice cook who wishes to host a Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter dinner. You will be sure to impress your guests!
This step-by-step guide will move you though the suggested items for your big day including the recipes needed to prepare each dish.
This blog may appear daunting but we have your back!
A Holiday Dinner (Preparing & Hosting) video is also available on our Murlo Discovery Channel.
Plan Ahead !
It is strongly recommended to plan a week or more in advance. Review the dishes below that we use for your consideration.
Suggested Material Checklist
This material checklist will help with your planning.
1. RSVP (optional)
2. Plates & silverware (utensils)
3. Seating name cards (1) (optional)
4. Secondary plates & utensils for side dishes & dessert
5. Cloth or paper napkins.
6. Serving trays,
7. Serving bowls (4-6)
8. Butter dish
9. Serving spoons
10. Soda and/or fruit juice to make a non-alcoholic punch
11. Quality plastic containers to refrigerate or freeze leftovers
12. Water Picture and/or punch bowl
13. Gravy strainer
14. Wine glasses
15. TV trays/card table for extra seating
16. Seasonal table center piece (optional)
17. Christmas crackers (place on each plate )
18. Background seasonal music
19. Candles (optional)
20. Carving knife for the turkey
21. Plastic wrap and tin foil
22. Container for leftovers
23. Formal Dinner Table Arrangement
(1) You may want to consider mixing up the seating arrangement through a random name draw. This will give everyone an opportunity to meet someone new or to get reacquainted over dinner!
Appetizers
a) Visit our Appetizer Blog for ideas
b) Shrimp or a shrimp ring with sauce.
c) Cheese varieties.
d) Crackers with a spreadable cream cheese, or a hot red pepper jelly, or an apple & fig spread.
e) Hot & cold dips
Dishes for a Thanksgiving or Christmas Dinner
1. Roasted Turkey
2. Aunt Helen’s Stuffing
3. Creamy Mashed Potatoes
4. Candied Sweet Potato
5. Gravy
Vegetable: Prepare vegetable side dishes like corn, Three Bean Salad or cranberries to name a few.
Optional Food Items: Pickes, olives, salad, cranberries, dinner rolls, cabbage rolls, wine.
Dessert ideas: Murlo has a variety of desserts to consider Pistachio Wheat Salad and Pineapple Delight Additional Dessert recipes are available on our blog.
Wine: If your guests enjoy wine but not sure what their taste preference is in terms of red or white wine.
We recommend purchasing a few more white wines for those who are not regular wine drinkers. A Sauvignon Blanc or a Pino Grigio are good choices.
Leftovers
You will have leftovers!!! Here are some of things we do with turkey or chicken leftovers. Check back regularly as we will be adding more recipes.
a) Turkey, chicken, ham on a bun! Simple.
b) Turkey/Chicken Wild Rice Soup
c) Homemade Egg Noodle & Turkey Soup
D) Turkey/Chicken Pie (TBA)
E) Turkey/Chicken Stock (TBA)
Final Notes
1. There are hundreds of combinations and variations to the above dinner. Have fun experimenting!
2. Our dinner is one that we have refined over the years to suit us. Have fun with your dinner as their are not rules to start your own family tradition.
3. You may substitute chicken for turkey. Why not!
4. We will be adding additional food items for an Easter Dinner so check back regularly.
You got this! Enjoy your dinner!!