Happy, easy entertaining starts here. This guide to hosting an elevated Friendsgiving walks through signature cocktails, stunning table styling, and make-ahead savory and sweet dishes that keep the host calm and guests delighted. Expect practical tips, foolproof techniques, and tested recipes for cocktail prep, turkey thigh confit, a decadent cheesy mashed potato casserole, a bright radicchio salad with candied hazelnuts, and ultra fluffy dinner rolls. Embrace the spirit of cooking, recipes, bon apetit and get ready to relax into the party.
Cranberry Aperol Sparkler: a make-ahead crowd pleaser
A sparkling cocktail sets the mood and can be mostly prepared ahead. Simmer fresh or frozen cranberries with a little water and sugar for about five minutes until the berries burst. Smash them with a potato masher, strain through cheesecloth, and stir in Aperol. Chill the mixture, then serve over ice topped with Prosecco and a few fresh cranberries. Because the base is made in advance, the host can pour and sparkle at the door. This simple method is perfect for anyone who wants to focus on the party and not the pitcher.
Tablescape tips that feel effortless
Tablescaping does not need to be matchy matchy. Mixing two coordinating napkins, adding napkin rings with a little wrinkle for texture, and simple flowers bring color and personality. As a guiding rule, "the more character it has, the more fun a table it is." Place the fork to the left and the knife to the right, napkin folded or looped, and the wine glass above the knife. Small details like layered linens and scattered berries make the table feel festive without fuss.
Turkey thigh confit: a stress-free showstopper
Turkey confit is an excellent way to get the centerpiece out of the way early. The technique starts with a wet cure: blend coarsely chopped onions, thyme (about 12 sprigs), 2 1/2 tablespoons table salt, 4 1/2 teaspoons sugar, and pepper into an oniony paste. For roughly 4 pounds of turkey thighs, use about one third of that cure. Press thighs into the cure in a baking dish, chill for four to six days, then rinse.
After rinsing, nestle the thighs in fat with halved garlic and bay leaves and cook slowly at 200 degrees for four to five hours until a slim skewer lifts and the thigh drops back into the fat, indicating tenderness. Cool two hours, refrigerate up to six days, and just before serving bring up to 140 degrees and finish in a hot oven to crisp the skin. This is perfect for hosts who want big flavor and minimal last minute work.
Cheesy mashed potato casserole: unapologetically rich
For a crowd-pleasing side, use Yukon Gold potatoes for their creamy texture and strong potato flavor. Slice and simmer with an inch of salted water until tender. Drain, then mash with a generous amount of butter (16 tablespoons), 1 1/2 cups half and half, 6 ounces mozzarella for silky stretch, and grated Gruyere for flavor. Fold in about a half cup of chives, season, smooth the top, and finish with a panko, Gruyere, and butter topping. Bake at 400 degrees until golden and crisp on top, then let rest 30 minutes. This dish can be made ahead and reheated.
Radicchio salad with candied hazelnuts and blue cheese
Radicchio offers a pleasantly bitter contrast to rich plates. Toast skinned hazelnuts at 350 degrees, then make a bright vinaigrette of five tablespoons olive oil, three tablespoons white wine vinegar, two tablespoons honey, and a tablespoon Dijon mustard. For the brittle, cook 1/4 cup sugar, two tablespoons water, and a pinch of salt without stirring until amber, toss in chopped hazelnuts, spread on parchment, and cool. Toss torn radicchio, thinly sliced sweet apple, half the brittle, and dressing, finish with crumbled blue cheese and the remaining hazelnuts. Most components can be prepped ahead and assembled just before serving.
Fluffy dinner rolls using tongjiang for lasting softness
A little technique keeps rolls soft for hours. Make tongjiang, a cooked flour slurry, by whisking flour into water, microwaving in short bursts until thick, then tempering with cold milk and whisking in an egg. Use bread flour for higher protein, mix in yeast, rest 15 minutes for autolyse, then knead in sugar, salt, and softened butter tablespoon by tablespoon. After the first rise, press into a rectangle, cut and stretch, roll into coils, proof until puffy, and bake at 375 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes. Brush with melted butter for shine. These rolls stay pillowy whether served immediately or the next day.
Bringing it all together
Friendsgiving is about good food and even better company. Practical make ahead steps include the cranberry-Aperol base, curing and confiting the turkey thighs, refrigerating the mashed potato casserole, prepping salad components, and using tongjiang for resilient rolls. With these techniques the host can savor the night and let guests linger. Celebrate with confident cooking, recipes, bon apetit and a table that invites conversation.
This article was created from the video How Our Pro Chefs Host Friendsgiving (Savory Recipes, Drinks, and More) | America's Test Kitchen with the help of AI.
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