Thanksgiving is a time to gather your loved ones and be thankful for all you have, especially if you just moved into your new Boston apartment. If you moved into a small Boston apartment that you love, but fear might be tight on space, you may wonder whether you can host a successful thanksgiving. The food is the star of Thanksgiving, and as the host, you’re responsible for providing a great feast. So, here are some tips on what to cook in order to maximize your kitchen space, so that you can host the best Thanksgiving.
Tip #1: Breaking Down the Turkey
A small kitchen often comes with a small oven, which makes roasting a whole Turkey difficult. Our first tip is to buy a whole turkey, break down the legs, thighs, and breasts, and cook each piece separately. This will cut down on roasting time as you’re cooking each piece separately, allowing you more time to set the table. Breaking down the Turkey also lets you cook the pieces more optimally because thighs take longer to cook than breasts. This way, none of your pieces will be dry or undercooked! The best part? You’ll still get that warm, comforting smell of roasting a Thanksgiving turkey all around your Boston apartment.
Tip #2 Try a Different Bird!
Turkeys are great because they can easily feed a large crowd, but they’re not the best choice for a small, Boston apartment kitchen. That’s why you should consider smaller, poultry alternatives that work for your kitchen. If you opt for chicken, for example, you can save both space in your oven, and money in your wallet. If you’re feeding a large crowd, you can get two or three chickens, and cook them in succession. You can even prepare them ahead of time by stuffing and seasoning them, and putting them in the freezer until Thanksgiving morning. We recommend letting your chickens thaw in the fridge the night before and padding them dry to remove excess moisture before you bake them.
Tip #3: If You Don’t Have an Oven, Air Fry Your Turkey!
An air fryer is an effective and easy way to cook turkey in a small Boston apartment. They don’t take up a lot of space, and use little oil to cook your bird. This way, you can save time and make a healthier meal! All you have to do is put your favorite, high-smoke point oil (we recommend canola) in the receptacle, and put the individual pieces of your turkey in the main chamber. Cook for about 30 minutes at 375 F, and you’re good to go!
Tip #4: Make Thanksgiving Tapas!
Maybe your Boston apartment kitchen lacks some counter and table space, making placing large pots and sheet trays almost impossible. A great work-around for limited counter space or a small dining table is by serving the dishes tapas-style! Tapas are small plates of different dishes that are shared family-style. They’re great because they not only are easier to pass around than large pots and pans, but are a great way to share and try everything that your loved ones brought with them. You can get tapas style pans, or you can just use small plates. This can be a really fun way to make use of smaller spaces in your Boston apartment.
Tip #5: Plan Ahead and Freeze!
It can be overwhelming to prepare everything the day before your friends and family come to your Boston apartment. A great way to beat the stress and enjoy the fun of preparing a Thanksgiving meal is to plan ahead by cooking things in advance. A lot of Thanksgiving classics, like stuffing and pie crusts, freeze really well, which will free up space in your fridge. If you’re planning on making a pecan or pumpkin pie, we recommend freezing the pie, letting it thaw in the fridge the night before, and baking it in the oven.
Lastly, remember to enjoy the holiday, and spend less time worrying about making it all work perfectly. Thanksgiving is about cherishing moments with your loved ones. A small Boston apartment can make for a more intimate setting to enjoy a holiday that is all about being thankful to have one another.
Andrew Pitsios
Published November 21, 2022
