How To Survive Thanksgiving If You Can’t Get Home

Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate family. If you live far from home though, making the trip to see them might not be an option. But, that doesn’t mean you have to spend the whole week curled up in bed. To fight the homesick blues, gather your still-in-town friends and make your very own Friendsgiving dinner! Here are a few tips to give your holiday meal the classic flavors of home.

1. The turkey - The bird’s the word on the Thanksgiving table. Fortunately, turkeys are often incredibly cheap at any grocery store during this time of year. With a little bit of preparation, you can turn a frozen bird into a delicious feast. Take out everything inside the bird and give it ample time to thaw. It’s best to leave it overnight or start it early in the morning for an evening meal. It’ll probably take 7-8 hours to fully cook. Once it’s done, you can feed your friends (and yourself) for several meals. Look for the tiny plastic timer on the bird. It’ll pop up when it has reached a safe temperature.

2. The sides - Most thanksgiving sides come in a can. All you need to do is open them, heat in a microwave, and serve. You can reuse the same heating dish and return them to the cans to serve; there’s no rule that Thanksgiving has to be fancy. Vegetables like green beans are incredibly easy to prepare. Just put them in a container and microwave them for a few minutes. Salads, too, just take a quick chop and a toss with bottled dressing.

3. Dessert - Like turkeys, pumpkin pies are also reasonably priced this time of the year. Or, if you prefer “homemade,” buy a store-bought crust. Next, look for fillings you can refrigerate. Think pudding pies, cream pies or cheesecakes. Most of these desserts just need to be mixed up and put in the fridge.

Remember, though, that the important part about the holiday isn’t what you eat, it’s your frame of mind. If you’re grateful for what you have and who you’re with, you’re already celebrating Thanksgiving. Enjoy it, no matter where you are!

Sources:

http://food.ndtv.com/lists/10-incredible-no-bake-desserts-742596