Recipes You Can Make Ahead Of Time

Bacon Wrapped Pork Medallions
A recipe you can make ahead of time and warm up when the time is right!
By: Eve Marie
"This is variation of a recipe my mother used to make with my own spin on the seasonings! Also, one of our favorites to enjoy around the holidays.
A pinch more here, a dash more there...Putting your own twist on recipe is easy!
Prep Time:
10 MinCook Time:
30 MinReady In:
40 Min
Servings
Original Recipe Yield 4 servings
Ingredients
8 slices bacon
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 pounds pork tenderloin
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
Directions
1.Preheat an oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2.Place the bacon in a large, oven-safe skillet, and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until lightly browned and still flexible, 6 to 7 minutes. Drain the bacon slices on a paper towel-lined plate. Remove any excess bacon grease from the skillet. Combine garlic powder, seasoning salt, basil, and oregano in a small bowl. Set aside.
3.Wrap the pork tenderloin with the bacon strips securing with 1 or 2 toothpicks per strip of bacon. Slice the tenderloin between each bacon strip to create the medallions. Dip both sides of the medallions in seasoning mix. Melt butter and oil together in the same skillet over medium-high heat. Cook each medallion for 4 minutes on each side.
4.Place skillet into the preheated oven and bake until the pork is no longer pink in the center, 17 to 20 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 160 degrees F (70 degrees C).

Glazed Apple Cream Pie By: Kathy
"A friend who NEVER bakes gave me this recipe recently. I think she's made this pie once a week for the past 6 weeks now!
Prep Time:
15 MinCook Time:
45 MinReady In:
3 Hrs
Servings
Original Recipe Yield 1 - 9 inch pie
Ingredients
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup butter
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tart apples - peeled, cored and sliced
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 (15 ounce) package pastry for double-crust pie
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon milk
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon butter, softened
Directions
1.In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup milk, 1/2 cup cream, and 1/4 cup butter. Heat until butter is melted, stirring occasionally. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch, 2 tablespoons milk, and vanilla; stir into saucepan. Cook until thickened, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, and set aside to cool slightly.
2.Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). In a medium bowl, combine the apples, flour, and cinnamon. Mix well.
3.Line a 9 inch pie pan with pie dough. Pour thickened filling mixture into pastry-lined pie pan. Arrange apple mixture evenly over filling. Top with second crust, seal and flute the edges. Cut slits in top crust.
4.Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until crust is golden brown and apples are tender. Cool for at least 30 minutes.
5.In small bowl, combine confectioners' sugar, 1 tablespoon milk, 1/4 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 tablespoon softened butter. Blend until smooth; pour evenly over warm pie. Refrigerate for AT LEAST 1 1/2 hours before serving (longer is better).

How to Plan Thanksgiving Dinner

Make the guest list
It the first thing to be done while you plan Thanksgiving dinner because the number of members and their choice need to be kept in mind before deciding the menu.

Decide the menu
Thanksgiving dinner include appetizers, main course, side dishes, desserts and wine. To prepare these dishes it is important that you know what are the ingredients and the method. Choose dishes, which are easy to make, and the ones that you are confident of making. Plan thanksgiving dinner menu in advance so that you have the idea about the dinnerware needed. Make sure that for vegetarian guests there are some good vegetarian dishes too.

Make a List of thing you need
Now, prepare a list of ingredients that you will need to prepare the dinner. Go according to the menu. Make sure that you are not missing out on anything. Check all the ingredients that are already there in the kitchen.

Invite your friends
Now, it is the time to invite your friends. You call make a call to them or write to them. This will help you to know how many people are sure of coming. There might be a few who might be doubtful.

Set the table
When you know the menu, decide on the table setting. Choose wine glasses, dinnerware, table cover, table decoration, etc. Set the table according to the number of people and the dishes. There might be things that you will have to buy like napkins, table cover etc.

Check your appliances
Thermometer, oven, blender etc are generally used so make sure they are clean and ready to use. Clean your refrigerator and make space for the Thanksgiving dishes. You should have all the utensils ready.

Cleaning and decoration
You can start cleaning your house three weeks before Thanksgiving, as it will dilute the stress for Christmas and New Year cleaning also. Buy new decorations for the house. You can decorate the house a week before Thanksgiving so that you can get the feel of the occasion.

Prepare some dishes in advance
It is one of the most important works which needs perfect timing. For this follow this Thanksgiving dinner plan -


One month before the dinner - Buy a turkey according to the number of guests. Freeze it and prepare the stock for gravy.
Two weeks before the dinner - Make cheesecakes and freeze. Prepare dough for the crust of the pie, roll and make the crust and freeze. Prepare stuffing for the turkey.
Within one week of the dinner - Prepare cranberry sauce, defrost the turkey, and prepare other dishes. Thaw the piecrust and cheesecake and refrigerate.
One day before the dinner - Make the pie, chop vegetables and prepare sweet potatoes.
Day of the dinner - Roast the turkey, cut salads, and prepare appetizers and little other things that need to be done.
I hope that these tips on how to plan the thanksgiving dinner are really helpful to you. So go ahead and throw a party for your loved one with a perfect Thanksgiving plan.