A "No Turkey" Feast Timeline

In This Article: • Timeline Continued • The Table • Create A Mood • The Menu

James Beard's Menus for Entertaining In more than 100 menus James Beard shows how to prepare imaginative meals for every occasion - from a roadside picnic to a formal dinner, from an intimate breakfast to a cocktail buffet, from a diet dinner to a sumptuous holiday feast. Here are dishes from Thailand to Texas, clearly explained and easy to achieve.

There's no reason to have a stressful holiday. Many of the dishes in our menu can be made ahead of time so that you have minimal preparations on the big day. Here's a handy timeline to help you get things done so that you can relax and enjoy your guests!

1 week ahead

• Make the Poppy Seed Dinner Rolls. Wrap in foil and freeze.

• Clean out refrigerator so that you have room to store dishes and beverages.

• Select your decorations, flatware, glassware and china, set aside or list them on paper.

• On paper draw out your table seating arrangement.

3 days ahead

• Make the Honey Walnut Tart, wrap tightly and refrigerate.

• If you're planning on using one or more tables for guests, bring them up now and put together.

• Iron your tablecloths and napkins.

• Make Poppy Seed Dressing and refrigerate.

2 days ahead

• Select the serving bowls and serving dishes you plan to use and set aside. Remember the serving spoons and forks!

• Make the Pineapple Relish and refrigerate.

• Prepare the Bacon Cheddar Cheese Ball and refrigerate.

The Day Before

• Make the Fluffy Biscuit dough and honey butter; refrigerate.

• Make the Famous Pumpkin Pie and refrigerate.

• Score the ham and make the sauce.

• Do your major cleaning such as vacuuming, sweeping and mopping floors. Dust.

• Set the table. If you have young children in the house save the glassware (especially if you're using crystal) until the morning before.

• Remove Poppy Seed Dinner Rolls from freezer and place in refrigerator.