Monday, November 22, 2010

Be my guest. Or not.

Whether you are hosting Thanksgiving at your house or are a guest in someone else's, these tips will help everyone feel relaxed.

  • If you are a guest, bring a nice hostess gift. Some favorites include: wine, chocolates, a potted plant, any homemade treat, or a sampler of your homemade jams.
  • Always offer to help prepare the meal and with clean-up.
  • If you're staying overnight, bring along some food items to help out with meals. I like to bring homemade bread, granola, or muffins.
Click on the link for my favorite granola recipe: http://savvynest.blogspot.com/2010/03/breakfast-anyone.html

  • If you're hosting, do as much cooking ahead as possible so that you can enjoy your guests.
  • Let guests help! No one wants to sit around and watch you work and let's face it, we all want to feel needed.
  • Ask guests about food allergies or preferences before you plan the menu.
  • If you're serving wine that a guest has brought, use a decanter at the table. This way, the guest will feel no pressure if they didn't bring a $50 bottle of wine!
  • Have conversation starters for the dinner table such as having everyone share their biggest blessing of the year or have each person update the group on what they've accomplished this year.
  • If you have the space, set out your tupperware or storage containers before the meal. That way, everyone can pitch in to help with clean-up.
  • Give your guests a key so that they can come and go as they like.
  • Don't stay up too late Thanksgiving night- you need your rest for Black Friday sales!
Here's a breakfast recipe that is a great crowd pleaser and is super quick and easy:

Easy Breakfast Casserole
6 eggs
2 cups milk
1 tsp. dry mustard
1 lb. ground pork sausage
1 tsp. salt
3 slices white bread, cubed
1 cup cheddar cheese, grated

  • Beat eggs lightly and add milk, mustard, and salt.
  • Brown, crumble, and drain sausage.
  • Spray a 9 x 13" baking dish with Pam.
  • Spread cubed bread in bottom of dish. Arrange sausage over bread. Sprinkle cheese over sausage. Pour egg mixture over all.
  • Bake uncovered at 350* for 45 minutes
Serves 8-10

*The best thing about this recipe is that you can assemble it the day before and store it in the fridge til' the next morning.

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