Wow, next week is Thanksgiving! How time flies during these months of holidays, school, activities and football! The Thanksgiving invitations have been mailed out and everyone has responded. Now is the time to start organizing the menu, the food shopping list, and all of the details that go into planning a Thanksgiving dinner. And who is the star of the party? Tom theTurkey, of course! Nothing is more symbolic of Thanksgiving than a beautifully roasted turkey with a homemade chestnut stuffing. And of course, don’t forget all of the favorite side dishes such as the gravy, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. Michael Ciriaco is the co-owner of Creations by Leslie. He was a former executive chef inNew York Cityfor over 2 decades and he loves to share his expertise when it comes to food. (and of course, the staff of Creations by Leslie is lucky enough to enjoy his cooking!)

Here are some helpful tips for preparing the turkey:

1. Fresh turkey is preferred, but if it is not available, a partially thawed or frozen turkey will be fine.
2. It is best to season the turkey 2 – 3 days in advance
3. Before seasoning, make sure the turkey is washed and dried.
4. On Thanksgiving morning, remove the turkey from the refrigerator so that it becomes room temperature before placing in the oven (this will cut down the time in the oven and create a more moist turkey)
5. Most important, baste, baste, and baste some more!

How do you know when Tom theTurkeyis finished cooking in the oven? Of course, you can wait for the internal thermometer to pop . . . or you can check the temperature with a meat thermometer – 160 degrees should be fine. (Remember, the recommended temperature of the oven is 325 degrees) The best place to check if the turkey is done is in the middle of the thigh. (where the thigh bone meets the body) Make sure to let the turkey rest for as many hours as it is roasted. Keep it covered and warm until ready to carve!

Thanksgiving is a time to count blessings. It is a time to share special moments with those you hold dear. Thanksgiving invitations are the perfect gesture for inviting loved ones into your home. You may open your doors to a lovely dinner buffet or to a beautifully set table. Thanksgiving Dinner is a very special meal with a lot of planning and preparations. It is so worthwhile as family and friends sit at a table while sharing delicious foods, enjoying each other’s company, and listening to wonderful conversations. Thanksgiving provides a chance for loved ones who are far away to travel home and spend a day with family. Thanksgiving brings on the aroma of turkey and stuffing roasting in the oven, chestnuts crackling on the fireplace and hot apple cider brewing on the stove top. So savor the season and the special time of year and enjoy a special Thanksgiving dinner with family and friends.

There is nothing like having fresh maple syrup and if you want to have a sweet turkey then try basting your turkey in Maple Syrup. You do this with hams most of the time but if you like maple then this is a treat for you. I would keep in mind however, if your guests like maple as much as you may.