Welcome to the Last Minute

Oh no! Thanksgiving is tomorrow?? Never fear: a special Wednesday edition of the Friday Newsletter has you covered.

We’ve been gearing up for this moment for weeks.

All month, all across the internet, anyone who’s ever shared a recipe has been churning out tutorials on how to make the most perfect Thanksgiving dishes—often elaborate, complex, time-consuming dishes sure to be the star of your holiday table.

Likewise, those of us who simply can’t get enough of the holiday—or of a big kitchen project—have been in prep mode for days: making stock, brining birds, choosing drink pairings, planning out intricate schedules of when each dish has to go in and out of the oven.

Well, the big day is almost here, and—what’s that you say?

You haven’t prepared a single thing?

You’re traveling to a Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow afternoon and want to bring something, but only have time to stop at a single store on your way?

Don’t fret.

The Action Cookbook Newsletter is here to help.

You see, I recognize the importance of the last minute. It’s when I get everything done, from architecture projects in college to newsletters just like this today. I’m like a quarterback who lives for the fourth-quarter comeback, minus the athleticism. I thrive in these moments, and I know there’s still time for us to pull out a win.

Welcome to a special Wednesday edition of the Friday Newsletter.

I’m bringing you the usual Seven Good Things you need for your weekend two days early, because Thanksgiving waits for no one.

Today, this includes:

• A crowd-pleasing appetizer that comes together quickly!

• A one-bottle cocktail that’s sure to be a hit!

• A crowd-sourced playlist to liven up whatever kitchen you’re in!

• Book/TV recs, some great suggestions for your leftovers, pets and more!

Huddle up, friends. I’m going to draw up the game-winning play in the dirt.

7) Hopped off the plane at SDF with cream cheese and some artichokes

Okay, so here’s the scenario.

You’re headed to a relative’s for dinner tomorrow, and you know you should bring something, but all of the obvious things on a Thanksgiving menu are already taken. Green bean casserole, mac and cheese, stuffing—heck, even the dinner rolls are covered. On top of this, you know that the host has a habit of serving dinner later than announced, and if the other guests sit around drinking with no food in their stomachs for too long, they’re going to start talking about politics or Bitcoin or neighborhood yardwork feuds.

(And you’ve already heard Uncle Randy’s story about the Osage orange tree too many times.)

Your play is to make an appetizer, and I’ve got just the thing.

You’ll be able to find everything you need for this recipe in a quick trip to one supermarket—even now, at the last minute. It’ll come together in less than an hour, without a great deal of work and no special tools. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, though, and one that you’re probably going to be asked to start bringing every year.

What we’re going to do is bake spinach-artichoke dip—a perennial party favorite—right into crescent rolls, making for a delightful handheld afternoon snack.

Spinach-Artichoke Rolls (Makes 24)