Countdown to Thanksgiving, Day 7: Let Someone Else Do the Work

Follow along with Megan Swoyer as she prepares for Thanksgiving, with daily tips to keep you on track.  Day 7 offers tips for takeout, from sides to the whole meal.

One of my friends is a bit freaked about hosting Thanksgiving at her boyfriend’s home. 

“I’m a little crazed,” she told me. “His kids will be there and all of that (he’s divorced and has children who live out East).

While she was sharing this with me, I was simultaneously reading email and had serendipitously received a note from the owners of Canapé Cart in Ferndale.

“Hey,” I told my friend. “You can order all of your sides from this great place. It won’t be like you’re not cooking; you’re just making it easier and you can get to know his family better, etc. by not being a slave in the kitchen. Make the turkey, do the potatoes, stuffing and gravy, and pick up everything else.”

“I might check that out,” she said, sounding relieved.

No one should ever feel bad about ordering a takeout for Thanksgiving. If you think about it, most of us delegate many of the side dishes anyway. At my house, I’m in charge of the turkey, potatoes, rolls, stuffing, gravy and dessert, and many of the guests bring the sides. I could very well pick those up, but don't need to. Everyone's situation is different, and the main thing is to gather around a table and share food, right?

I plan to make a gluten-free coconut cream pie, and will pick up a few pies at the Grand Traverse Pie Company. This year, I’ve got my heart set on a cherry concoction.

If you prefer cherry pie, you’ll be happy to know that the nation's forecasted tart cherry production for 2011 totals 266.1 million pounds, up 40 percent from the 2010 production. Of this 2011 total, the overwhelming majority (210.0 million pounds) will be produced in Michigan, according to USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. (Another way to enjoy a Pure Michigan —  or partly pure — feast on Thanksgiving: Refer back to ).

Back to the sides. I can't see how anyone can go wrong with Canapé Cart’s sides.  Owners Kathleen O’Neill and Mary Rembelski, whose company was established in 1987, focus on innovative cuisine, distinctive presentations for celebrations and events, cooking classes and a terrific to-go business that is especially appealing this time of year. They’re also big on using healthy ingredients.

“We started our business because of our love of food, good wines and world travel,” Rembelski said.  

Pick it up 

Here's the lowdown on takeouts for everything from stuffing and sweet potatoes to the entire feast.

• - Need a cake? How about carrot, chocolate or hummingbird. Need a pie? Homemade pumpkin is on special this week for $17.50.

• - Has bakery packages, deli packages and many ready-to-go sides.

• Honey Baked Ham (11 metro-area locations) offers easy on-line ordering for cooked turkeys and all the trimmings.

• Boston Market offers entire meals or sides (20 Michigan locations) that can be ordered with  an easy pick-and-click process, online.

• markets (St. Clair Shores, Troy and Clinton Township locations) plan to whip up a great bread stuffing with sage, turkey gravy and orange cranberry relish and selling it from Nov. 21-23. The store offers samples as well. You can also purchase a variety of sides and more.

• The deli is featuring  convenient holiday meals, with all the favorites, from turkey to pie – plus all the trimmings. Order forms are available at local stores. Just select your dinner options and pick-up time and fill in contact information on the form and give to a deli  associate. When you bring your feast home, all you’ll have to do is heat it.

Day 8: Spud sages whip up some tips for perfect mashed potatoes.