How to Cheat at Holiday Cooking

Need to outsource some (or all) of your celebratory meal? Here's help.

November 14, 2017

So your family is coming to your house this year. It sounded like a great idea several months ago, didn’t it? But now, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas are looming on the horizon. Suddenly, that to-do list that looked manageable in August and September reads more like a ransom note.

Never fear. You can outsource some — or even all — of your holiday cooking with goodies from a whole host of area businesses. Store-bought bread and pies were the gateway drug, and these days, you can find food that even your pickiest relative won’t quibble with.

If you’re asking why, we have a question for you: Why not?

The appeal is pretty simple, said Claire Guarino, who owns HomeCooked in Paoli: To save time and peace of mind during what can be one of the most stressful times of the year.

“If folks use HomeCooked, they can spend their time relaxing and enjoying their friends and family more, knowing that they will have meals that look and taste great without all the stress, time and mess of planning, shopping, chopping and cleaning up,” she said.

If you order by November 16, you can have all or part of your Thanksgiving feast ready-made, from a whole meal for 8 to 10 people to pumpkin French toast for breakfast.

The food comes prepped or already cooked, packed into pans for easy cooking or reheating. “No one ever has to know that the host/hostess didn’t do everything from scratch him/herself,” Guarino said. Stay tuned for December holiday menus and deadlines.

Salivating at the idea of actually enjoying your holidays, and want to do nothing more than turn on the oven? Here are some other spots that offer relief to harried hosts with pre-cooked menus.

Carlino’s Market

2616 E. County Line Road, Ardmore
128 W. Market St., West Chester

This local favorite has a deep holiday menu, ranging from the classics to homemade pastas. It’s ready to heat and serve, with some exceptions. The last day to order for Thanksgiving is November 17.

DiBruno Bros.

120 Coulter Ave., Ardmore
1730 Chestnut St., Philadelphia
834 Chestnut St., Philadelphia

If you love cheese, here’s the place for you. If you’ve still got room, there’s plenty of entrees, sides and desserts. Thanksgiving orders must be in by November 16 at 5 pm.

Hymie’s Merion Delicatessen

342 Montgomery Ave., Merion

Nana’s Kitchen

45 Haverford Road, Wynnewood

You need latkes for Hanukkah, but you’re not excited about grating your fingers again this year. Get those golden, delicious treats from a great deli instead, and focus on finding the best applesauce to go with them. (Our sources love the potato pancakes at Trader Joe’s, too.)

Linvilla Orchards

137 W. Knowlton Road, Media

If you’re cooking, you can order a fresh bird (or breast) from here. But it’s the pie that lures most shoppers: with varieties ranging from the classic apple, mince, and pumpkin to coconut custard, everyone at your table will be happy. Order by November 17 for Thanksgiving.