Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes

You know me, when I entertain I am all about preparing as much in advance as possible. I don't want to spend the holiday in the kitchen. I want to spend it with my family.

If you feel the same, you will love these Thanksgiving dinner recipes. Most of them can be prepared in advance with very little work on the day of your feast. They are all simple to make but big on flavor. Your family will love them and you will love spending time with your family.

Thanksgiving Appetizers

Here are two Thanksgiving appetizers that are staples in my family. A holiday just wouldn't be a holiday without them. Both are easy to make and best prepared in advance. Make them up to two days ahead of time and give your family something delicious to tide them over until the big meal.

• Chipped Beef Cheese Ball. Serve this with crackers or bread and watch it disappear.

• Savory Dunk. It is unbelievable how delicious this dip is. Served with crackers or bread, the flavor is so unique it will have your family begging for more.

Cooking Thanksgiving Turkey

On Thanksgiving there is no question that the turkey is the star of the show. The only problem becomes how to prepare all of those other Thanksgiving dinner recipes when Tom Turkey is taking up the entire oven? There are some solutions that I have found work really well.

Free up your oven by using one of these alternate methods for cooking Thanksgiving turkey:

• Send the men outdoors to deep fry the turkey with a Deep Fried Turkey Fryer - Bayou Classic 30 Quart Deep Fat Turkey Fryer Kit. They will love helping out and you will love having your oven free for all those side dishes.

• Roast your turkey on your counter top with a Rival 18-qt. Roaster Oven with Buffet Server, Stainless. When the turkey is done, insert the three buffet pans and keep all your side dishes warm for your guests who want to go back for second helpings.

Thanksgiving Side Dishes

If you are looking for recipes for some Thanksgiving side dishes that are easy to make, can be made in advance and will wow your guests, try these:

• Corn Pudding. This takes literally seconds to put together. Bake the day before and warm through the day of.

• Maple Whipped Sweet Potatoes. Prepare the day before. Reheat the day of.

• Spinach Gratin. This is one of my absolute favorite dishes. It can also be prepared the day before and warmed up the day of.

• Weeknight Stuffing. Saute the vegetables the day before. Put the stuffing together and bake the day of.

Thanksgiving Desserts

This time of year you want some Thanksgiving desserts that celebrate the flavors of Fall without requiring hours of mixing and baking. Try serving some of these easy to prepare desserts after your feast this year.

• Baked Apples. Much easier than slaving over that homemade pie crust, these baked apples will allow you to serve a homemade apple dessert with not much more effort than popping a frozen pie into the oven.

• Caramel Apple Salad. Perfect for kids and adults alike. This dessert takes just minutes to put together and what says Fall better than a caramel apple?

• Pumpkin Cream Pie. You have to serve pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving right? Well, your family will love this creamy, crunchy alternative that is easy to make and even easier to eat.

Armed with these secret weapon Thanksgiving dinner recipes, you are sure to enjoy the day and impress your guests. If you have any leftovers, make your day after meal just as delicious as the feast itself with this Thanksgiving Soup.