Stress Free Thanksgiving Menu Ideas

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, many families are already feeling the stress associated with preparing the "traditional turkey dinner" imposed upon us for decades, thanks to Norman Rockewell-esque images. However, in these times, not only do more women work outside of the house, but it is also common for some spouses to work more than one job, thus eliminating the amount of time they are able to come home. With less time for family, less time must also be allocated to the kitchen. Thankfully, many restaurants and store delis are taking notice, allowing more time for families to enjoy Thanksgiving from the dining room table, as opposed to a day spent cooking in the kitchen.

For families who want to remain traditional and have a meal cooked completely by themselves, there is a way to maximize time without having to give up the quality of your food. One person can cook the side items and desserts in the kitchen, while another person can cook the meat, be it turkey, ham, roast or chicken, outside. Outside cooking techniques include: smoking meat in a smoker, frying a turkey or chicken in a large meat fryer, or barbequing meats on the grill. Some families even opt for an outdoor hamburger cookout, or picnic outside taking advantage of the cooler weather autumn brings.

If cooking is out of the question, a good meal is still within reach thanks to catering from restaurants and grocery store delis. Some of the best Thanksgiving catering I have had has been from the restaurants Boston Market and Bono's Bar-B-Que. Boston Market has the traditional turkey and ham, with many sides such as: green beans, mashed potatoes, stuffing, sweet potato casserole, mixed vegetables, cinnamon apples and many more. Another good thing about Boston Market is that they frequently put coupons in the Sunday paper, and they can really help bring the cost down. For a family of three, a meal of turkey with three sides costs around $20. If you want smoked meats such as beef, pork, and turkey, Bono's is a great choice. While their side item menu is more limited, meats are sold by the pound individually, so you can create your own sides, while having the convenience of your meat already cooked. Another option is to check with your local grocery store and see if they cater holiday meals to go.

Finally, for those that can't eat at home, there are other good options. This works especially well for nurses, police officers, fire personnel, and other people who may have to work during Thanksgiving. There are some great places open for people to meet up with their families and share a meal together. In the past, Cracker Barrel, Boston Market, and Ruby Tuesday have all been open on Thanksgiving. While some many not serve all of the items found on their everyday menu, some specialize in serving a traditional Thanksgiving style menu. Depending on the time of day, I have generally found these restaurants to be quiet and sparsely populated.

Whatever option you choose, remember that Thanksgiving is about spending time with family. In this hectic world, I am appreciative of all of the options available to me so I am able to enjoy the day more and spend it with the people I love. Happy Thanksgiving