Last Minute Thanksgiving Dishes

A few days until the big meal, and you’re probably well on your way to finishing up the menu, maybe even cooking much of it beforehand. If you need to fill in some holes, however—with side dishes, say, desserts, a salad, or a soup—I have many ideas for you to consider. Maybe they’ll help you get to the finish line with fewer worries. That’s the idea.

Soup: Light enough to refresh, especially as a starter, but substantial enough to rev up the palate, Zuppa Pavese also has a fascinating history.

Salad: Because it ought to be made a few days in advance, Colorado Coleslaw is a great do-ahead. Plus, it’s both salad and vegetable side.

Sides: On a voyage back from Europe to the United States aboard the Queen Mary 2, I ordered this Creamed Spinach from its steak restaurant. It’s delicious; you could eat it for dessert, it’s so rich and filling. More sides:

·      Jane Kalianov’s Butternut Squash Gratin
”It never disappoints and is a nice alternative to the sweet marshmallow candied yams,” says Jane.
·      Cabbage Braised with Apples
·      Roasted Vegetables
·      My Dad’s Mashed Potatoes

Desserts: These Pumpkin Custards are like pumpkin pie, but a bit more egg-y and without the crust. You can also make one of Two Bread Puddings, one of which uses the seasonal bread called panettone.

Turkey Day wines: When the California Turkey Board (Coloradans: no jokes, please) asked several domestic wineries what wine went best with traditional Thanksgiving Day dinner, the suggestions went on and on. “Pinot noir,” said one winery. It's rich and full, like the meal itself. “Gewurztraminer,” offered another. It matches the dinner's spiciness. The final tote stood at nine different wines: four whites, two rosés, three reds—one turkey.

What wine can fit in? Well, here’s an idea or five.

Your Dinner Guide: Here's where to find a step-by-step cooking calendar to guide your meal.