A guide for gathering for the holidays

(Family Features) Gearing up for a crowd at your holiday festivities can provide moments of excitement, stress, fun and plenty of other emotions as the big dinner draws near. This year, avoid any nagging feelings of doubt with this step-by-step guide to prepare for large gatherings.

Plan in advance

Even if you're typically the last-minute type, the hectic holiday season is no time to wait until a few days ahead of the celebration to throw meals and more together. Take inventory of supplies like silverware, plates, serving dishes and any accessories you'd like to feature at the table. Make an outline of the food each guest is bringing, or, if you'll supply all the food, ensure there will be plenty for everyone.

Make a list

Planning only takes you so far if you don't write everything down. Once the menu is determined, list out what you'll need to make the magic happen. Don't forget to jot down easily overlooked items that can be picked up the day of, such as ice.

Remember to thaw

One surefire way to make the big day a big disaster is to forget to thaw your main course. If you're planning to roast a turkey – the most common centerpiece – remember it takes around a day to thaw for every two pounds of meat. So, for example, it could take close to a week for a 14-pound turkey to fully thaw prior to cooking. 

Prep the day before.

There are many tasks (big and small) that can be taken care of the day before guests arrive, making the holiday less stressful for hosts. From whipping up simple appetizers like dips to giving the house a thorough cleaning, there's plenty of pressure that can be taken off your shoulders 24 hours in advance. 

Find more holiday hosting tips and meal solutions, like the recipe for turkey with roasted grape gastrique, at Omaha Steaks' website.

Turkey with Roasted Grape Gastrique

Roasted Grapes:

• 4 cups assorted grapes (picked, washed and dried)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 cinnamon stick
• Nonstick cooking spray

Gastrique:

• 2 tablespoons water
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 4 tablespoons water
• 1 Omaha Steaks Whole Basted Turkey (10 pounds) 

To make Roasted Grapes: 

1. Heat oven to 350 F. In bowl, combine grapes, olive oil, salt, pepper and cinnamon stick.

2. Lightly spray baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Pour grape mixture onto baking sheet. Bake 15 minutes. Remove from oven and pour into bowl.

To make Gastrique: 

1. In small saucepan, combine water and sugar. Bring to boil over medium-high heat, 5-7 minutes, until sugar starts to brown.  

2. Remove from heat and slowly add vinegar. Return to heat and stir until combined. Add cornstarch and water mixture; bring to boil. Remove from heat.  

3. Pour Gastrique mixture over Roasted Grapes and reserve.

To prepare turkey: 

1. Thaw completely in refrigerator 3-4 days or, keeping turkey in vacuum-sealed packaging, place in sink full of cold water 5-7 hours, changing water approximately every 30 minutes.

2. Heat oven to 350 F. Place turkey in roasting bag; secure bag with twist tie. Place bag in deep roasting pan. Using fork, puncture 6-8 holes in top of bag. For extra browning or crispness, slit top of bag for final 20-30 minutes of roasting. 

3. Roast turkey 2 hours, 45 minutes-3 hours. Turkey is done when internal temperature measured with kitchen thermometer reaches 165 F. Pour Roasted Grape Gastrique over turkey and serve.