Holiday Entertaining Tip: Create An Oven Time Schedule

So you’ve got your menu all planned out for the big dinner.  Main dish, a gazillion sides, multiple desserts… you are ready to feed the army that will descend upon your home.  But, you only have one oven!  Create an oven time schedule, otherwise you’ll be completely stressed out the day of!

Consider the following:

• Make a list of all the items on your menu that need to be cooked in the oven.
• Check the recipes to see how much time each item takes and the oven temperatures.
• Coordinate a schedule and stick to it.
• Try to group together recipes that take the same oven temperature.  Can certain things be in the oven at the same time?
• What are possibly things that can be cooked the day before?  Pies, and desserts in general, often times can be baked a day or two in advanced.  Just make sure to store them properly so they stay fresh.
• Is there anything that could be cooked in a crock pot to eliminate oven time?
• For items that are cooked earlier in the day, set an oven time prior to serving your guests to warm these items so everything is the proper temperature when served.