How to keep things warm when serving a large meal

I saw this question before and wanted to post my tricks.

When making a turkey, it needs about 30 minutes after it has come out of the oven for the juices to settle back into it. Do not cut into it,take a thermometer and make sure it reads 160 degrees, make a foil tent using heavy duty aluminum foil and let it sit on top of your counter for 30 minutes. This will let the juices redistribute and make for a moister bird.

While the turkey is doing its thing, you have 30 minutes to heat up anything that needs last minute heating. If you don't have a warming drawer, For things made earlier in the day, use your microwave to keep things hot. Don't turn it on, just keep the covered dish inside of the microwave. The fact that the dish is contained will reduce how fast it cools off.

If you only have one oven (like me) put your racks in so that one is on the lowest level and the other one is two notches above it. The turkey can cook on the top rack and other things can be made on the lower rack.

Stuffing, casseroles and other things can be made on the lower rack while making the turkey.

Gravy can only be made using the drippings so take advantage of your 30 minute window to make them then.

Use a toaster oven for appetizers.

I make a timing page. I write down my menu and next to each item when it needs to be put into the oven so it will be done on time. I figure out how many hours to cook the turkey. It is 20 minutes per pound and you need about 1.5 lbs per person to account for the turkey bones. A 14 lb turkey takes 4 hours and 40 minutes to make at 350 degrees. The internal temp should be 160 degrees when done.

If anyone else has any other ideas feel free to share.

Re: How to keep things warm when serving a large meal

Great ideas! This year I bought a buffet server/warming tray and used that to keep things warm.

Re: How to keep things warm when serving a large meal

i have a 3 dish buffet warming thing, and totally Forgot to use it this year...

thanks for the tips..they're very practical!

Re: How to keep things warm when serving a large meal

I also only have one (very small) oven. There is no way that I can cook anything other than a turkey (I can't even fit most roasting pans!) in it. I recently got, a tukey roaster - an electric roasting pan and use that for the turkey, freeing up the oven.

I have also started doing mashed potatoes in the crockpot to keep them warm.