Now Here’s a Tip – November 14, 2023

#MiddleburyCT

• “OK, I’ll say it: I love tradition, but sometimes I want to mix it up for Thanksgiving dinner. I keep the main dishes the same as they always are, but I add my drama in the details. For instance, mix your choice of herbs into a stick of softened butter. Using a plastic baggie with the corner cut off or a decorating bag, pipe the herbed butter onto a butter dish. Refrigerate and enjoy the oohs and ahs. – JoAnn
• “In the week before Thanksgiving, have a leftovers day and get all those bits and pieces out of the refrigerator. It will make it easier to clean so you’ll have room for the turkey and the sides.” – S.T. in South Carolina
• “For easier cooking, when making large holiday meals, simply choose two side dishes that can be oven cooked in the same amount of time at an average temperature. I like one or two that can be cooked in the microwave as well.” – E.U. in Texas
• “For a delightful twist on cranberry jelly, slice and sprinkle with orange zest. Dress up your mashed potatoes with a sprinkling of chopped fresh chives.” – via email
• The night before serving your large sit-down dinner, put all the serving pieces on the table, and all the dinnerware in the dining room. You don’t want to have one person trying to get plates and spoons when you are getting dinner on the table. – JoAnn
• “You know what works really well to keep hot casseroles hot when waiting for other sides to finish? A cooler. Line it with a towel and set your casseroles inside. Then, when they are on the table, stick the cooler back in the kitchen. You can throw the casserole dishes back in dirty after you pack away leftovers. Add some warm soapy water and they can even wait until the next day to get cleaned.” – M.B. in Georgia

Send your tips to Now Here’s a Tip, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.
© 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.