Thanksgiving Dinner Without the Stress

A little bit of smart planning can make this meal one of the easiest―and most gratifying. 

You have a lot on your plate on Thanksgiving―both literally and figuratively―and so much going on, it's easy to forget that the day is not about what's on the table but who's sitting around it. Some savvy planning can help you keep things in perspective. Borrow a menu from Marie Nygren, who, with her husband, Steve, owns the Serenbe Bed & Breakfast, outside Atlanta. Follow the timeline, and much of the work will be done well before everyone arrives.

Dinner

• Turkey With Molasses Butter (shown)
• Drop Biscuits
• Corn Bread Dressing
• Cranberry-Mint Sauce
• Roasted Sweet Potatoes
• Wilted Greens
• Butter Beans

Dessert

• Apple Cake With Caramel Glaze

Wine

It's hard to find a single wine that goes with the Thanksgiving table, says Andrea Robinson, author of Great Wine Made Simple: Straight Talk from a Master Sommelier (Broadway, $28, amazon.com). Instead of choosing either red or white, buy some of each and let guests help themselves. She suggests Zinfandel (MonteVina Terra d'Oro) and Gewürztraminer (Hogue Cellars).

More Thanksgiving Ideas

• Thanksgiving Dinner Menu
• Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Recipes
• Homemade Bread Recipes
• Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes