By OnMilwaukee Staff Writers   Published Nov 25, 2009 at 1:33 PM

So you're cooking for a crowd tomorrow but working today? Here's a couple quick things you can do tonight before getting your drink on to make tomorrow go smoother:

  • Wash and chop your veggies and bag them individually so all you have to do is assemble plates and or add pre-prepared ingredients as you're cooking.
  • Wash and chop your herbs and bag them with a paper towel to keep them dry.
  • Take out your serving plates and label them with post-it notes so that you know exactly where each item is going before, during and after preparation.
  • Prepare all your hot pads and towels and put them where you want them so you aren't searching for one while you're trying to pull a hot pan off the stovetop.
  • Get all your linens ready and pressed, and/or make sure you have all your plateware and utensils washed.
  • Consider making your mashed potatoes in advance and putting them in a casserole dish. After you take your turkey out of them oven, coat the top of the potatoes with breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese and a few slices of butter and then bake them at 350 degrees until they are heated through. This twice-baked casserole version is not only pretty, it makes preparation so much easier.
  • Consider making your gravy in advance using chicken stock instead of pan drippings. It may not taste exactly the same, but you'll avoid rushing at the last minute while the bird is resting. Keep it hot in an insulated travel mug.
  • Take your butter out tonight before bed so it is at room temperature when you get up.
  • If you are using coolers for beverages, tonight's forecast is looking cool enough that you should be okay putting your beverages, and possibly some of your vegetables, side dishes, etc. in ice outside overnight. That will save you more time in the morning, and more space in your fridge.
  • Check your turkey right before bed to see if it is close to thawing out. If not, set your alarm early enough so you can set it under a drip of tepid water in your sink to finish the thaw more quickly.
  • Set up your coffee or tea pot so it's ready for you first shot in the morning.

Lastly, if you wake up and don't feel like spending four or five hours in the kitchen, consider making a beef or pork tenderloin or a broiled fish or seafood dish, a ham, or even a lasagna instead of your turkey (most grocery stores are open a half day on Thanksgiving for those last minute pickups or mind changes).

Thanksgiving is about sharing your gratitude with friends and family and those you love. If you remember that, it truly doesn't matter what's on the table.