The Ultimate Kosher Guide to Cooking Thanksgiving Dinner

Thanksgiving is a time for family and friends to come together, enjoy, and have fun. And, of course, for some delicious, delicious food. However, it can also be a time for stress, if you are the one hosting the event. Which can be quite a problem for someone that’s in the process of recovery from addiction. So, the big question is how can a person do such an event without hampering the progress they made at rehab Lantana, FL center? Well, that’s what we will answer today. Bear in mind that the point of this Kosher Guide to cooking Thanksgiving dinner is not to teach you to cook. Rather, it is to help you organize well so you can go through the whole ordeal with the least amount of stress and effort so you can enjoy it while staying on the right track with your recovery goals.

Mindful Preparation is key

When hosting any big event, the key to success is to stay a step ahead. And Thanksgiving dinner is most definitely a major event. With a lot of guests, preparation, and cooking there will be a mass of things to handle. Therefore, a good plan and organization aren’t optional – they are a must. Here are a few good starting points to make it easier on yourself.

A simple checklist can be your most powerful ally

Days leading to Thanksgiving are super busy, with the Holliday itself crowning the experience. There will be a lot of things to keep in mind and take care of. To make sure nothing slips your mind, we strongly suggest making a checklist. The good rule of thumb here is – note down everything. And we do mean everything.

No matter how big or small, if it is tied to your Thanksgiving dinner in some way or another, put it on the paper. Or even better, use one of the many checklist apps for your smartphone. That way, you’re making sure you’re remembering everything. More importantly, you will be tracking your progress at the same time which, as you surely learned at the drug or alcohol detox Florida facility, is essential for reaching any goal.

Take a head count a few days before you start the preparation

Make sure your guests RSVP to your invitation in a timely manner. In today’s busy world, plans can change suddenly and unexpectedly. Meaning, some of your guests may not be able to attend your Thanksgiving dinner, despite their best intentions. Or, they may just have a surprise plus-one. Knowing exactly how many guests you’ll be hosting will go a long way to saving your time and energy. Also, it will help you with the next point.

Set the table the day before

True, setting the table isn’t exceedingly time-consuming. Still, it always pays to be a step ahead. You never know when those 10 minutes might come in handy. And, it will make you ready for some last-minute changes, if there are any. Therefore, take a few minutes a day before to set everything up.

Prep your turkey well ahead of time

If you’re going full traditional, then turkey is the way to go. After all, for most of us, Thanksgiving isn’t Thanksgiving without the big bird. However, turkey demands some preparation well before it is ready to go into the oven. If you bought frozen, make sure to let it thaw at least two or three days before. Also, it is a great idea to season it a full day before Thanksgiving. This will not only save you time on the big day, but the meat will have the time to absorb all the flavors from seasoning, thus making it even tastier. Of course, the same advice goes for any other meat that you’re marinating. Two to three hours in the marinade? Good. Six to eight? Excellent! 12+ hours – absolutely perfect! And, if you want it to be extra soft and melt in the mouth, you can brine it overnight.

Prepping other food items in advance is an excellent idea, too

There are many dishes (or parts of dishes) that can be prepared in advance and stored for later use. This works in your favor, as it takes away the pressure off of your shoulders. Which is exactly the point of this Kosher Guide to Cooking Thanksgiving Dinner.

That said, deserts are, by far, the best choice for an in-advance prep. Most of them can sit in the fridge or pantry overnight or for a few days, even, without going bad or stale. Cookies, cakes, pies – they all follow this rule. Also, cranberry sauce (or virtually any sauce), gravy, and pie crust can all be made days before and then frozen. It won’t take from their taste (much) but will allow you to save a lot of time.

Kosher Guide to Cooking Thanksgiving Dinner – stress-free

Reducing stress is especially important if it is you who recently went through medical detox, or you’re still going through the drug rehab Lantana program. However, cooking a Thanksgiving dinner, especially for a whole lot of people, is a major effort. As such, it can be stressful and frustrating. Fortunately, you can make it easier and a lot more relaxed. Here are several things you can do without overwhelming yourself or taking away from food quality.

You do not have to do it alone

This is the first thing you learn as a detox inpatient in Florida treatment centers. And, guess what – it is perfectly applicable here! Hosting a big dinner is a lot of work, and it can get pretty overwhelming pretty fast. And then, it isn’t pretty at all. Fortunately, you are not alone in this.

Don’t hesitate to ask some of your family or friends or, even a buddy from your support group or Alumni program to assist you. We have no doubt that they’ll be more than willing to lend a helping hand. Especially with the promise of savory delight that will, inevitably, follow. So, get some spare aprons and make everybody your sous-chef!

Keep it simple

Stick to the recipes you know and those that do not demand excessive effort. This is especially important if you’re cooking for a big group of people. Slow roasts can be an absolute blessing here. They only require some preparation, and then you can kick your feet up and relax for a few hours, while the food prepares itself.

Also, think of going back to basics. A Thanksgiving dinner is about coming together. So, it doesn’t have to be par exelans, or extravagant, or any other number of funny words Michellin star chefs use to describe their dishes. Going for an easy-to-make crowd-pleaser is perfectly viable. And it guarantees that no one leaves the table disappointed.

Adaptability is your best friend

Now, you may be aiming for a super healthy meal for yourself or a loved one that recently went through rehab. Which pretty much sets the tone for the entire ordeal and is the core of our Kosher guide to cooking Thanksgiving dinner. Still, some of your guests may have different dietary requirements. Some may be vegan, vegetarian, or simply don’t eat turkey (yes, there are those). So, instead of breaking your back (and nerves) cooking 15 different dishes, make something that can go either way. A sort of Assemble-it-yourself dinner. Did you make some grilled veggies for a vegan guest? Well, they can easily be a side dish for someone that eats meat. Noodles can be a great base for virtually anything you want to smack on top. Pot roasts and some stews can perfectly double up as a topping. Options are infinite, and the only limitation is your imagination.

Cook ahead to save time and nerves

Preparing Thanksgiving dinner is a lot of work. And, the scope of the effort only increases with the number of attendees. So, trying to tackle every recipe on Thanksgiving day is a recipe for stress. Remember, Thanksgiving is your holiday, too – not only your guests’. So, do as much prep in the days leading up to it. That way, when the big day comes, you’ll have a lot more time and energy to enjoy with friends and family.

Don’t try to play the perfect host

Yes, yes, we know – hosting a Thanksgiving dinner is a big event. So, it only stands to reason that you want everything to be perfect. But, guess what – it doesn’t have to be. You don’t have to play a host, a bartender, a waiter, a busboy, or any number of other restaurant personnel. It is not a restaurant – and your guests know it. What’s more, there’s no doubt they’d rather spend more time with you than with your food. So, don’t overexert yourself trying to cater to everyone. Aside from being virtually impossible to do, it will only leave you exhausted and frustrated. In this instance, going for a buffet variant can be a perfect solution. It will only take a fraction of the time to set up everything, it will be easier to maneuver, and it will be much easier to clean afterward.

Go for snacks as an intro to a big event

While your main course will be the star of the show, there is a certain buildup leading to it. And, that usually means that guests can go full thermite on sides and snacks before the big moment. After all, people take that old “come hungry” invitation seriously. So, think about some variants of finger foods or healthy snacks that will keep their hunger at bay until the star of the show arrives. Also, it works wonders to keep ravenous youngsters from raiding your kitchen, which is definitely a huge plus.

Kosher food 101

The ultimate Kosher guide to cooking Thanksgiving dinner wouldn’t be “ultimate” if we didn’t cover the basics. So, let’s start with what is Kosher food?

Kosher food is a type of food that is prepared and cooked in accordance with the dietary laws found in the Torah. The rules are pretty strict in regard to what you can and cannot use, as well as how you can use it. Furthermore, since you’re going for healthy, that further narrows the list of ingredients down. Still, neither means that you’ll be severely hampered – quite the contrary.

The beauty of Kosher food is that it is incredibly versatile – despite the limitations. You can adapt pretty much any recipe to be Kosher, be it Jewish, Chinese, Mediterranean, or any other cuisine. Of course, as long as you follow the rules. And, even if you follow them to the letter, the possibilities remain virtually limitless. Which brings us to the next question.

Which ingredients can I use?

With Kosher, you’ll often hear the term “clean foods.” This refers to foods that contain no artificial ingredients and that are not processed (or have been minimally processed, in accordance with Kosher rules). Therefore, “clean eating” is all about consuming food without additives or other substances that might be unhealthy for you. Which makes Kosher food a phenomenal choice for any person looking to develop healthy eating habits – and not only during Thanksgiving. With that said, let’s see which foods you can and cannot use.

Meats you can use for your Kosher Thanksgiving meal(s):

• Red meats: Cow, sheep, goat, deer;
• Poultry: Chicken, duck, turkey (hint, hint);
• Fish: Trout, Tuna, Salmon.

Foods that are a no-go for your Kosher Thanksgiving dinner:

• Animals that do not chew cod and don’t have cloven (split) hooves, like pork and rabbit;
• Fish without fins and scales;
• Any type of shellfish;
• Birds of prey;
• A combination of meat and dairy.

As you can see, even the restrictions aren’t that restrictive. Also, add to that the fact that pretty much all vegetables, fruits, berries, and nuts are fair game. What you’re left with is a wealth of ingredients that can lead to some amazingly tasty combinations.

Buying Kosher food for Thanksgiving – the safe way

 In times past, Kosher meats were traditionally prepared in-house, from start to finish. From raising an animal to slaughtering to the final product – everything happened within a household. Today, this is not a viable option for most. Therefore, it is to be expected that you’ll buy most of the ingredients at the store. Which is not only OK to do – it is super convenient. To discern Kosher from non-Kosher food with ease, all you have to do is check the labels on the packaging:

• “K” or “OU” indicate that the food is pareve. Therefore, it is the safest choice, as you can be sure the product is Kosher;
• “M” or “Glatt” means that the food item contains meat;
• “F” means that the product has fish;
• “D” or “DE” marked item contains dairy or was made in a dairy-handling area;
• “P” indicates the food suitable for Passover consumption.

Pretty intuitive, right? Simply follow the markings, and you won’t lose any sleep worrying whether you made the right choice.

Your kitchen must follow some rules for your food to be Kosher

Kosher is not only about which ingredients you use – but how you prepare them, too. Food preparation in Judaism also follows some strict rules:

• Meat and dairy products don’t mix – ever and in whichever form. This means you’ll have to have a separate set of utensils, dishes, and cookware for both. Also, they must be prepared on different work surfaces, to ensure meat and dairy don’t come into contact with one another.
• Salting meat (kashering) is very specific. First, the meat should be placed in cold water for half an hour and in a utensil designated for this purpose only. Next, salt the meat thoroughly, so that every inch is covered in a thin layer of salt. Leave meat on an inclined surface to allow excess blood to drain. Finally, thoroughly wash the meat to remove all of the applied salt.
• Broiling can be used as a variant of kashering. Broil a piece of meat on both sides, until they get that nice brown color. Rinse the meat afterward.
• If your dish uses eggs, they must be from a kosher bird.
• When you’re washing dishes, ideally, you should have two separate sinks, dishwashing utensils, and drying racks so that meat and dairy dishes never mix. If this is not feasible, you should take the necessary step to ensure dishes never touch the sink. In the case of a dishwashing machine, one should be thoroughly cleaned between washing meat and dairy dishes and utensils.

In short, you will use a lot of dishes to make Thanksgiving dinner. Unless you’re going for vegetarian or vegan, of course. Therefore, have a plan in place to deal with the mess and clutter efficiently. The best option, of course, is to have someone helping you. A little company makes everything easier and more fun.

Your New Thanksgiving Table

With everything said, you are ready to put this Kosher guide to cooking Thanksgiving dinner to good use. Now, there’s only one thing remaining – choosing the dishes that will make you shine. Which, for some, is the most difficult part of the process. And, reasonably so, we might add, considering all the options available. So, to make it easier for you, we compiled some combinations that will go well in any situation.

• Traditional: This is a no-brainer, a crowd-pleaser, and a choice you cannot go wrong with. Options: Turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, green beans, cornbread stuffing, green salad (with an oil-based dressing), pumpkin pie;
• International: As we mentioned, it is easy to adapt any cuisine to Kosher with minimal effort. Asian is, by far, the easiest to do this with, as it already contains a lot of healthy food combinations. Think: summer rolls with turkey meat, glazed salmon with bok choi, meatballs (or stew) on rice, kung-pao chicken, mushroom ramen;
• Vegetarian: Going for full-on meatless dishes is a viable option. Provided, of course, that everyone is on the same page. The best thing is that you can thoroughly enjoy the food even if you’re not vegetarian. Some options here are Tomato pasta, gnocchi, baked tofu, rice salad, ratatouille, and zucchini with mushroom stuffing.

Of course, in this case, too, you can apply some things you learned during addiction treatment in Florida. Namely, exploring new horizons. So, if you have an idea and some spare time, don’t be afraid to experiment a little. Chances are, you’ll find an amazing combination that you’ll permanently add to your roster of Thanksgiving foods.

A Healthy Holiday Tradition that everyone will love being a part of

Recovery is a lifelong process – a journey of self-improvement and self-care, that is often difficult. Fortunately, there are things that make it easier and enjoyable. And hosting a Thanksgiving dinner definitely falls under that category. After all, there’s nothing that soothes the mind, fills the soul, and lifts the spirits as a warm embrace and company of beloved people. With this in mind, we’ll make the last advice of this Kosher Guide to Cooking Thanksgiving Dinner more of a suggestion. Take this beautiful event and make it into a healthy holiday tradition. Make it a celebration of your or your loved one’s sobriety. A testament to self-improvement and willpower. An incentive to keep boldly heading down the path toward a new, better life. Because, in the end, that is what drives recovery.