A month ago you loved the idea of having Thanksgiving at your place. But now that the big day is almost here, you’re full of anxiety. You’ve got a week to scour those bathroom tiles, fight over the dwindling supply of Libby’s pumpkin pie mix at the grocery store, and yeah, figure out how to cook a bird. Instead of channeling all your energies into the art of basting, however, take the time to relax and get your inner hostess on. We asked Tamara Reynolds, Astoria resident and co-author of Forking Fantastic! Put the Party Back in Dinner Party, (www.forkingfantastic.com) for some tips on how to actually enjoy your Thanksgiving.
So how much food do you really need to feed 10 people?
Figure a turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, a salad, two vegetables, maybe one casserole - who can resist that all-time fave, green bean casserole - , and a dessert. Remember: you are just feeding people dinner, not fattening them up for the holiday slaughter. And the vegetables can often be served room temp. This frees you of the last minute “holy crap, it all has to be served hot AT THE SAME TIME,” and you can just focus on the star of the show, the turkey.
What’s the one kitchen gadget you depend on to get you through the holiday?
Good, sharp knives. You only need three, but you do need them. Actually, the only really good knife you need is a 10” chef’s knife. You can get a cheap serrated knife (for bread and tomatoes) and a cheap paring knife (for small jobs) and upgrade later. If you already have knives, I hate to say it, but a food processor. Even a mini will change your life. When you have major chopping to do, it does it for you—in about two seconds flat, and is so easy to clean.
How do you handle picky guests like a wine snob?
If Karen the Wine Snob is coming and the wine is that important to her, she will most likely bring her own. And by all means, you should open that bottle first, and drink it to lavish praise, and then open the rest of the plonk afterward.
If dinner isn’t ready yet, what is a proper snack to serve?
It doesn’t need to be fancy—some dip and chips, radishes with butter and salt. I was recently in an old-school French home in Normandy. The hostess served very expensive Champagne and tortilla chips with Old El Paso Salsa! You can also buy yourself time by serving your salad first, in its own course. That gets people seated, they get some salad, and then while that is happening you can finish up the last of the prep. No one minds a few minutes between courses, and with a meal like Thanksgiving, there might not be room on your table for everything at once anyway. And drinks, pace yourself. You don’t want everyone falling down drunk before dinner—they won’t be able to appreciate all of your hard work!
How do you keep guests from getting sloshed?
Offer water or seltzer. Always. It is also nice to offer some non-alcoholic beverage that is interesting—like pomegranate juice, seltzer and lime juice; sparkling and enticing. Feed your friends. Insist that they eat something to soak it up—bread is great for that.
Should you try to prevent debates at the dinner table?
Hell no! We welcome those subjects that are taboo- especially after everyone has loosened up a bit. I think a good, spirited argument with well-considered sides is what is missing during group dining these days (when was the last time you had an entire evening devoted to talking about ideas and not people or things?) and makes us all smarter in the end. Bring it on.
What kind of lighting should we go for?
Soooo important. Avoid overhead if you can. If you don’t have floor lamps or table lamps, turn on a light in the next room and let it filter in to where you are eating. Candles on the table are the perfect touch (everyone looks romantic and lovely in candelight) but avoid scented candles - they will completely mess with the smells of your beautiful dinner.
And music?
Plan a playlist earlier in the week. You want it to start off light, then be sparkling and interesting when guests are drinking cocktails and waiting for dinner, then be fun and lively during dinner (but not super loud so people can’t have that health care debate), and then gradually wind down so people are musically encouraged to pack it up and go home at the end of the night.
How do you manage to leave the kitchen looking decent after you’ve been slaving over a hot stove all day?
Save your shower 'till the last hour before guests arrive. If you can, set your table the night before. Take your shower at the last minute - not so last-minute that people are arriving and you are seen streaking through the hallway to your bedroom - but fairly close.
What’s the most important thing to remember about a dinner party?
Enjoy it! These people are your friends - or they will be when it is all over but the crying. Seriously, enjoy this. It is telling people that you care; it is sharing your love - for them, and for life - in a way that going out to dinner or drinks never can.
