Disclosure: This is a sponsored post in conjunction with Boston Market. All opinions are always my own. Thank you for supporting New York Chica.
Did you know that Boston Market served more than 1 million people last Thanksgiving, and expect to serve more than 1 million again this year?
That’s right folks, many families are opting out of cooking and letting Boston Market cater their family meal this holiday season.
If you’re planning on cooking a feast for your family like I am and forget about dessert or any of the sides (which I’m sure I will do), don’t fret — Boston Market will be open Thanksgiving Day (hours vary by location) to help complete your meal.
For those planning to dine out, Boston Market will offer some holiday favorites in their Thanksgiving Meal, which features your choice of roasted turkey breast or half signature rotisserie chicken with two home-style sides, freshly baked cornbread and a slice of apple or pumpkin pie for just $11.99.
If you order in advance, Boston Market also offers a whole roasted turkey meal with all the fixins’ for 12 people for only $99.99. What a deal!
Celebrity Partnership with Boston Market
This year, Boston Market has partnered with Women’s Basketball Hall of Famer and 4 times Olympic gold medalist Lisa Leslie to provide consumers with even more holiday meal solutions.
Lisa’s Tips for a Stress-Free Thanksgiving Dinner
1. Make cooking a family affair. Invite all the cooks over to prepare their special dishes that can be prepared in advance two days before the holiday. It makes for great memories and family fun – plus you get a little bit of all of your favorite family recipes mixed into one meal!
2. Start prep early. Prepare fresh vegetables like green beans and collard greens early Thanksgiving week. Cook them halfway and then freeze them. I often prepare our stuffing early by chopping all the vegetables and storing them in Ziploc bags or airtight containers, baking the cornbread and freezing the stuffing mix. Just don’t forget to defrost the night before Thanksgiving to have amazing stuffing and vegetables for the whole family!
3. Use prepared sides to help save time and frustration. Cooking everything from scratch can really add to your to-do list. I like to buy a few prepared sides and make them my own. I love using sides from Boston Market to skip a few steps in my family recipes – for example, I’ll pick up a side of Boston Market sweet potato casserole and add my own twist! I just crush the pecans, bake them and spread them on top using brown sugar to add that caramelized touch. Then pop it into the over for about 45 minutes and it’s done.
4. Let the kids help. As a mom, it can be hard to cook that big meal with little ones that need your attention. I always give my kids fun tasks so they can contribute – and I can multitask. For example, the kids will set the table, help decorate the house, or even decorate cookies or cupcakes. They also like to go with dad to run last minute errands on the big day as he prepares to fry the turkey.
5. Don’t fret! Something could go wrong – it wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without a few mishaps. Don’t let that worry you! Take the time to enjoy the day with family and friends that you don’t see very often. If someone adds baking powder instead of salt to your favorite side dish, don’t fret– you can always make a last-minute trip to Boston Market for another side, (they’re open Thanksgiving Day!)
6. Make the kitchen a welcoming place. Don’t fight the tendency for people to congregate in the kitchen. Carve out a place where friends and family won’t be too in-the-way, then put some snacks out so they know they’re welcome. On Thanksgiving Day, think about small jobs you can give to guests who come in asking “what can I do?” They’ll feel helpful and it will take at least a couple things off your plate.
7. The dishes can wait. As the host, when you leave the table, you’re leaving your guests. All the dirty dishes will still be there later; enjoy the time you have with your family and friends.
8. Think about leftovers in advance. Think ahead about what needs to be reheated and how much oven, stove and microwave space you have. Sometimes I will make a cold side dish like potato salad to save room and time heating.
It’s nice to know that Boston Market’s home style menu items are prepared using fresh, high-quality ingredients, and offer consumers a tremendous value all around. With Boston Market’s mashed potatoes side, I chose to tweak their recipe using fresh, roasted garlic and sharp cheddar cheese.
Below is the recipe.
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
2 Cups of Boston Market Mashed Potatoes
1-2 tablespoon fresh garlic, minced and roasted
1/4 cup of white sharp cheddar cheese
Roasting Garlic
1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Peel cloves, toss with olive oil, salt and pepper.
3. Place on a cookie sheet and roast in the oven for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
1. In a mixing bowl, combine hot mashed potatoes and roasted garlic and mix well.
2. Place mixture in a casserole dish.
3. Heat in microwave for 3-4 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the mashed potatoes are warm. Serve with your favorite meat dish and a side of veggies.
What we thought
Boston Market mashed potatoes are delicious on its own or with their signature gravy but when you add roasted garlic and sharp cheddar cheese, it becomes a whole new dish. The garlic becomes sweet and subtle which makes the mashed potatoes take out a whole new flavor. Add cheese and you’ve got something that the whole family will love. I will definitely make this dish again!
~Giveaway~
This holiday season, let Boston Market Cater your holiday meal! Our lovely sponsor will be giving away TWO (2) $100 Boston Market Gift Cards for TWO (2) lucky New York Chica readers via Rafflecopter!
For recipes, tips and other ideas for a stress-free, delicious Thanksgiving, be sure to visit the Celebration Hub at holidayhub.bostonmarket.com.
I love the sweet potatoes and the mac and cheese!
I love their meatloaf – it reminds me of my grandmothers.