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Posted: November 17, 2010 04:16 PM
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Read More: Slidepollajax , Thanksgiving , Thanksgiving Food And Recipes , Thanksgiving Help , Thanksgiving Recipes , Thanksgiving Tips , The Daily Meal , Turkey , Food News

2010-11-16-MAIN.jpg The big day is coming and with it a barrage of guests knocking down your door with their stomachs rumbling. Whether it's the first time you've hosted Thanksgiving dinner or the 21st time, the preparations and expectations can be overwhelming. This guide is the procrastinating host's best friend -- it's all about having a game plan and we've got you covered on every angle.

Related:
10 Easy Thanksgiving Getaways
Chef's Favorite Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes

10 Holiday Horror Stories & 10 Quick Fixes
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Every family has a couple of horror stories from Thanksgivings past. We've chosen ten classic tales of kitchen misery from readers, so terrible we don't want you to ever have to experience the same thing. And you won't if you follow these quick-fix tips. Underdone turkey? The microwave you only use for popcorn is now a lifesaver.
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The big day is coming and with it a barrage of guests knocking down your door with their stomachs rumbling. Whether it's the first time you've hosted Thanksgiving dinner or the 21st time, the prepara...
The big day is coming and with it a barrage of guests knocking down your door with their stomachs rumbling. Whether it's the first time you've hosted Thanksgiving dinner or the 21st time, the prepara...
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HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
hazbro24
When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro- HST
788 Fans
06:15 PM on 11/17/2010
Ha! As an ex-chef I can tell you these are pretty hair brained ideas. There were paring knives before peelers, they still work. Watering can for fat separator? Sure, if you've got two gallons two separate and don't mind the taste of miracle grow. Try a ladle to skim it off and if you want to get every last drop finish it off with a paper towel.

And if your bird is way behind, pull it from the oven and 1/4 it, then put it back in. It will cook 10X quicker--be careful not to dry it out.
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leajazz
1313 Fans
03:24 AM on 11/18/2010
When I have time I will pour the juices in small glass bowls and pop them in the freezer then scrape the fat off. Finishing it off with a paper towel is a great idea. There were times when I was in a hurry and poked a hole in the bottom of a plastic or foam cup for the juices to drip.

LOL, who wants miracle grow in their gravy?
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Tony Sleime
1 Fans
03:26 PM on 11/22/2010
Agreed. Unless you are cooking for an army of people, a watering can for a fat separator is a ridiculous suggestion!

Why not fill a clear glass with the broth, allow it to settle, then simply suck the broth into a baster? Or simply spoon off the fat?
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garystartswithg
el sueno de la razon produce republicans
979 Fans
06:13 PM on 11/17/2010
That birdcage on a small table is a really bad idea. If you go with a centerpiece it shouldn't obstruct food passing and conversation.
You can open some jars and make a pretty good antipasti spread -- no need to go out of your way on appetizers. Mixed olives, pickles, not very hard. That thing with a cheese food slice and pesto lumped on top looks digusting. You can get premade caponata or ratattouille, no need to repurpose a jar of pesto.
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blindhog
200 Fans
06:06 PM on 11/17/2010
Why shave the potato? I hear the most nutrients are in the skin--just make sure it's clean and the eyes are cut out.
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leajazz
1313 Fans
03:10 AM on 11/18/2010
I love potato skins but won't eat them anymore. Potato skins are loaded with pesticides unless they are organic and I don't trust that bull crap. I use a knife to peel and take away some of the potato with the skin.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
thinkingwomanmillstone
My life is microbiodegradable.
2092 Fans
05:45 PM on 11/17/2010
Please, please stop making it sound like a Thanksgiving dinner is all about judgement. Relax. I've cooked for 40 and for 5. I've never had anyone go home hungry. The guests are interested in renewing family ties, old friendships or making new friends. Don't buy into the Martha Stewart mindset. No one cares about your table setting and placecards. They want clean, yes, but beyond that relax. Turkeys are easy to cook. Go easy on the appetizers. Enough to keep them happy watching the games but don't give them too much or they won't be hungry for dinner. Allow people to bring the cold dishes...they require lots of chopping. Gravy is easy but have a few jars on hand if you goof (I once grabbed the baking powder instead of the corn starch). My sister-in-law makes pies...I buy a couple in case she gets sick and can't come. I have never had someone go home hungry...it's just impossible. Anyone I would value, would understand if I went to the deli and got turkey hoagies. Tell people to bring their own plastic containers to take home leftovers. It saves returning them later. Remember, that meal that took you days to plan and shop for, and hours to cook will be eaten in less than 30 minutes. It will be a shock how fast the actual eating goes. It's supposed to be sharing not a test. Oh,last but not least..don't invite Martha or Chef Ramsey.
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leajazz
1313 Fans
03:33 AM on 11/18/2010
"Tell people to bring their own plastic containers to take home leftovers. It saves returning them later." Great idea! I never got my dishes back so now I keep freezer bags on hand to give away leftovers.
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ebroadcast
eh
228 Fans
05:45 PM on 11/17/2010
A razor would get plugged up with potato skin after the first swipe. Duhhh!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
ohpuhleezee
3 Fans
05:04 PM on 11/17/2010
Wow clean or not, that potato thing with the razor is kinda gross. A better way to peel potatoes is just to boil them in the skin. When they're done the skin comes off easily by hand.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
thinkingwomanmillstone
My life is microbiodegradable.
2092 Fans
05:33 PM on 11/17/2010
or use a paring knife.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Maliengus
nil illegitimi carborundum
234 Fans
05:01 PM on 11/17/2010
This razor idea is laugh-out-loud asinine. Get a dang paring knife. You know what a paring knife is, don't ya?

This "tip" doesn't happen to come from one of those velcro tab youngsters who grew up post shoelaces, does it?

Good Lord
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leajazz
1313 Fans
03:35 AM on 11/18/2010
LOL!
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