Shopping List and Make Ahead Tips

Shopping list by store department

Fruits and Veggies

Onions, carrots, celery, 1-2 leeks, shallots (3), 5 lbs sweet potatoes (yam or Asian), pumpkin or butternut squash or other squash, firm pears (5), fresh thyme, fresh chives, fresh flat-leaf parsley, fresh sage, fresh ginger, 8 oz shiitake mushrooms, 16 oz chanterelle mushrooms [or 1 oz dried chanterelle and 16 oz oyster mushrooms], 1 oz dried porcini mushrooms

Deli Meat

1/2 lb of pancetta in a single piece

Meat

1 turkey, fresh or frozen. If frozen, place in fridge at least 4 days prior to mealtime. 3-4 turkey necks if available. 1 lb Italian sausage

Bakery aisle

White bread, Pullman style (pain de mie)

Baking aisle + spices

Flour, sugar, shortening, brown sugar, vanilla extract, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg (whole and freshly grated preferred)

Milk and eggs

Milk, 250 mL 35% cream, eggs, unsalted butter, butter

International Aisle

Red curry paste, coconut milk (full fat)

Liquor store

White wine or sherry for deglazing, vodka, red zinfandel for imbibing.

Tips

4-5 days ahead: Shop if you are using frozen turkey. Place turkey in fridge.

1 day ahead: Take turkey apart and make stock. Reserve all good cuts for next day.

1 Day Ahead Plan A

Roast pumpkin, yam, Asian sweet potatoes etc. for pie AND for side dish. Refrigerate what is left over after making pie

Make pie. Get ready for next day.

T-7: Tune to Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (9 AM Eastern)

T-6 prepare bread crumbs. Go to T4

Plan B Early Morning: Roast pumpkin, yam, Asian sweet potatoes etc. for pie AND for side dish. Do not refrigerate once cooked. Prepare bread crumbs and set aside

T-7: Tune to Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (9 AM Eastern)

T-6: Make pie

T-4 turn on football game

T-4 to T Keep your guests hydrated.

T-3: Make turkey

T-2: As soon as turkey is in oven, prepare muffin mixture and get ready to cook them

T-2: Get potatoes dish ready to be cooked

T-1: Keep turkey warm (inside BBQ at low T is good idea)

T-1 Cook muffins with potato dish

T-30m Make gravy on stove top

T-10m Broil potato dish (muffins OUT of oven)

T Serve and pour yourself a cold one.