Countdown to Thanksgiving, Day 7: Let Someone Else Do the Work

Follow along with Megan Swoyer through the entire series, from sides and wine, to games and gravy. 

One of my friends is a bit freaked about hosting Thanksgiving at her boyfriend’s home. 

“I’m a little crazed,” she told me. “His kids will be there and all of that (he’s divorced and has children who live out East).

While she was sharing this with me, I was simultaneously reading my email and had serendipitously received a note from the owners of Canapé Cart in Ferndale.

“Hey,” I told my friend. “You can order all of your sides from this great place. It won’t be like you’re not cooking; you’re just making it easier and you can get to know his family better, etc. by not being a slave in the kitchen. Make the turkey, do the potatoes, stuffing and gravy, and pick up everything else.”

“I might check that out,” she said, sounding a bit more relieved.

No one should ever feel bad about ordering a take-out for Thanksgiving. If you think about it, most of us delegate many of the side dishes anyway. At my house, I’m in charge of the turkey, potatoes, rolls, stuffing, gravy and dessert, and many of the guests bring the sides. I could very well pick those up, but don't need to. Everyone's situation is different and the main thing is to gather around a table and share food, right?

I plan to make a gluten-free coconut cream pie and also pick up a few pies at the Grand Traverse Pie Company. A small selection of gluten-free and fruit-juice sweetened pies are available from Achatz Homemade Pie Company, too. This year, I’ve got my heart set on a cherry concoction.

If you prefer cherry pie, you’ll be happy to know that the nation's forecasted tart cherry production for 2011 totals 266.1 million pounds, up 40 percent from the 2010 production. Of this 2011 total, the overwhelming majority (210 million pounds) will be produced in Michigan, according to USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. (Another way to enjoy a Pure Michigan—or partly pure—feast on Thanksgiving: Refer back to ).

Back to the sides. I cant see how anyone can go wrong with Canapé Cart’s sides.  Owners Kathleen O’Neill and Mary Rembelski, whose company was established in 1987, focus on innovative cuisine, distinctive presentations for celebrations and events, cooking classes and a terrific to-go business that is especially appealing this time of year. They’re also big on using healthy ingredients.

“We started our business because of our love of food, good wines and world travel,” Rembelski said.  

PICK IT UP  

THE LOWDOWN ON TAKE-OUTS FOR EVERYTHING FROM STUFFING AND SWEET POTATOES TO THE ENTIRE FEAST

• ’s Thanksgiving Sides menu includes classic sage scented bread stuffing with sautéed onions, celery and apples; classic mashed potatoes; braised brussels sprouts with almonds and dried cherries; green beans with sun-dried tomatoes; brown sugar-glazed sweet potatoes with pecans; and cranberry orange relish. You must order by 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18. 

• (locations in Shelby Township, Chesterfield, Sterling Heights and Armada) offers a small selection of 6-inch gluten-free pies and fruit juice sweetened pies (reserve yours before Sunday!) as well as close to 50 other flavors, from twists on old favorites like Shelly's pumpkin praline and sweet cream cinnamon, to classics such as Michigan four-berry and Dutch apple. 

• 's Thanksgiving Grand Buffet features roasted turkey, honey glazed ham, sage stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, candied yams, green bean medley, corn O’Brien, macaroni and cheese, cranberry sauce, fresh garden salads, and homemade bread and desserts. Reservations for the Nov. 24 feast can be made by calling 586-226-8838. Adults are $17.99, children age 6-10 $8.99, and age 5 and under or 90 and over are free.

• Honey Baked Ham (11 metro-area locations) offers easy online ordering for cooked turkeys and all the trimmings.

• Boston Market offers entire meals or sides (20 Michigan locations) that can be ordered with an easy pick-and-click process, online..

• Nino Salvaggio markets (Clinton Township location) plan to whip up a great bread stuffing with sage, turkey gravy and orange cranberry relish and selling it from Nov. 21-23. The store offers samples as well. You can also purchase a variety of sides and more.

• The deli is featuring  convenient holiday meals, with all the favorites, from turkey to pie–plus all the trimmings. Order forms are available at local stores. Just select your dinner options and pick-up time and fill in contact information on the form and give to a deli associate. When you bring your feast home, all you’ll have to do is heat it.

• features a veritable cornucopia of prepared foods, from macaroni and cheese to party trays and fruit platters. Customize your trays with everything from mixed olives to artisan cheeses.

Day 8: Spud sages whip up some tips for perfect mashed potatoes.