2 Days to a Thanksgiving Feast

TIMELINE
 One day ahead:

• Stir together spice mixture for Sugar-and-Spice Cured Turkey, and spread over turkey; cover and chill 8 hours.
• Cut brussels sprouts in half, and place in a zip-top plastic bag; seal and chill.
• Prepare long-grain and wild rice mix for Crabmeat-and-Oyster Dressing; cover and chill.
• Assemble Baked Sweet-and-Savory Mashed Potatoes (do not bake); cover and chill.
• Prepare Marinated Asparagus; cover and chill.
• Prepare and bake pastry leaves for Elegant Pumpkin-Walnut Layered Pie; store in an airtight container.

 

The morning of the gathering:

• Bake Elegant Pumpkin-Walnut Layered Pie; garnish with pastry.

 

3 1/2 hours ahead:

• Bake Sugar-and-Spice Cured Turkey, and make pan gravy.

 

One hour ahead:

• Remove unbaked Baked Sweet-and-Savory Mashed Potatoes from refrigerator, and let stand 30 minutes. (It can stand up to 1 hour, if needed.)
• Assemble Crabmeat-and-Oyster Dressing.
• Prepare Brussels Sprouts With Apples; cover with aluminum foil to keep warm.

 

45 minutes ahead:

• Prepare Cream of Curried Peanut Soup.

 

30 minutes ahead:

• Bake prepared Baked Sweet-and-Savory Mashed Potatoes.

 

20 minutes ahead:

• Assemble Warm Spinach-and-Cranberry Salad ; toss with Warm Chutney Dressing just before serving.

 

10 minutes ahead:

• Reheat pan gravy for turkey.

"Thanksgiving With Family and Friends" is from the November 2002 issue of Southern Living.