Taste of Home editors and Test Kitchen staff are no strangers to the biggest holiday of the season. After all, they are professionals!
We look into their home, check tools, ingredients and more, and help them move from cooking to feasting with ease. Get their top pick for every part of your party – turkey, decorations, and even ambiance. (Check out more vacation essentials nominated by our community members!)
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Associate Editor Rachel Says is a firm believer that holiday hors d’oeuvres and seasonal cocktails are just as exciting as the main event.
At home, Rachel keeps a bar cart stocked with spirits and shakers (including non-alcoholic options) for guests to have fun while she’s busy in the kitchen or showing off her charms to friends. house. Rachel also keeps her coffee table full of treats and jams. A good sausage board will keep friends entertained until dinner arrives.
As assistant food editor, James Shand knows how to make a fantastic holiday dinner. The star of the show is always the mouth-watering turkey served with plenty of homemade sauce.
Through decades of cooking and entertainment, James has compiled tips and tools to help him cook a turkey the right way. His advice: make sure your bird is properly seasoned, filled with plenty of spices (not stuffing), and cooked for the proper time. Once you get the hang of making the perfect roast turkey, you can move on to one of James’ favorite tricks: flip flops!
While the bird is always the main attraction, James has a particular focus on the sauce. Every table needs a smooth, rich sauce dripping from the pan to garnish turkey, potatoes and more.
When you go to Sara Farmer’s for the holidays, you find her in the kitchen reversing the traditional garnish game.
“Variety and decoration,” says the executive culinary director. Yes, you will see the classic sweet potato casserole on her table. But every holiday, Sarah cooks what she calls “the wild dish,” a recipe that is familiar to many and always delicious and overwhelming. Sarah recommends this kale salad with carrot jam this year.
Whatever your style, Sarah recommends a variety of colors and textures for savory side dishes.
Dessert tax on the big day? “It’s time to put on your apron and settle into your happy place,” says editor Lisa Kaminsky.
Every Thanksgiving she bakes a lot of pies with her mom, aunts and sisters. (Lemon meringue is Kaminsky’s unexpected yet timeless holiday dish.)
After Turkey Day, colorful bowls and pans make it easy to cook up a batch of classic cookies like her family’s favorite muffins, peanut butter kisses and nut sticks. Lisa loves to try new recipes every year, like this Coffee Maple Sprite cookie, a delicious take on a traditional treat.
Senior food stylist Shannon Norris says fresh bread and buns are a must for any dinner party. For special occasions like Thanksgiving, she recommends cooking at home rather than buying from the store.
A few days ago, Shannon baked a loaf of bread for an impromptu dressing. With the help of a good bread knife, she was able to quickly cut a loaf of bread. This is because the dressing is best made with stale bread!
As the big day approaches, Shannon also kneads and proofs dough to make homemade buns with delicious toppings like parmesan cheese, cumin seeds, or a pinch of kosher salt. Smell these freshly baked bread rolls and guests will empty the bread basket as soon as it is delivered.
Holidays at Stephanie Marchese are always easy and elegant. Her tip: Set a bright and colorful table with just the right amount of seasonal touches.
By keeping the table more neutral, all of Stephanie’s favorite dishes, including her best lasagna, get the attention they deserve. But that’s not all the foundations of her family! Our visual production executive loves to add layers of linens, bright glassware for bold vibrant colors, and plenty of fresh flowers. This makes the table interesting and gives it a special touch.
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Post time: Apr-04-2023