Thanksgiving dinner "do aheads"

[Chocoholic]

I plan on making my stuffing and vegebables ahead of time and freezing them till the day before Thanksgiving. My question is, is there any way to make mashed potatoes ahead of time and freeze them? If not, can I at least make them early in the day, refrigerate them, and heat them in the microwave at the last minute?

I hate having to cook and mash the potatoes at the last minute. All my concentration is usually on making gravy at that point!

Oh, if anyone has some suggestions for vegetable dishes that freeze well, I'd love the receipes!

Thanks!

[mommywannabe]

Sorry, no ideas for the mashed potatoes...my husband and I agree that they're best fresh. There are just some things we've found that don't heat up well, especially in the microwave.

[Jen]

I have a great recipe for mashed potatoes that can be made ahead. Not light, unfortunately, but you can use the light versions of cream cheese and sour cream to help. (This recipe makes 18 servings, but it halves well).

Baked Mashed Potatoes with Sour Cream and Garlic
From Bon Appetit, February 1998

8 lbs russet potatoes, peeled, cut in 1" pieces
12 oz cream cheese, in pieces, room temp
1 1/3 cups sour cream
1 tbsp finely chopped garlic
3 tbsp butter, melted

Cook potatoes in large pot of boiling salted water until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain potatoes and return to same pot. Add cream cheese and mash well. Mix in sour cream and chopped garlic. Season potatoes to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to 15x10x2" glass baking dish. Drizzle butter over. (Potatoes can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate).
Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake potatoes uncovered until heated through, about 30 minutes (or about 45 minutes for potatoes that have been refrigerated).

Enjoy!
Jen

[RUSTYSMOM]

I have actually recently tried freezing mashed potatoes - believe it or not - they came out fine. The key is to let them defrost overnight. They will seem runny as you heat them but thicken up beautifully.

However - I have a better idea that I am going to try this year. I too like to make my potatoes and vegetables ahead. I am afraid I do not remember who posted this trick but I am thrilled about it. Make the potoates a day or two before and reheat them in a crock pot!! I wish I knew who on the BB to give credit to for this!!

[mightyh]

Here's the link about crock pot mashed potato re-heating... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/Forum1/HTML/001891.html

[SusanL]

Mightyh-could you explain how long you reheat in the crockpot and what temperature? Do you defrost in the fridge or place them frozen in the crockpot? I am mashed potato impaired on this one! This may be the excuse I need to buy the corningware crockpot for Thanksgiving!!!! Also, could I make sweet potatoes ahead of time and crockpot them?