HGTV star shares tips for perfect Thanksgiving

Sabrina Soto, popular HGTV star and lifestyle expert, is sharing her tips and tricks for the perfect Thanksgiving, which includes a mix of new and old recipes for a unique holiday meal and do-it-yourself entertaining tips.

Soto's top five Thanksgiving essentials include:

1. The Perfect Turkey

A turkey will always cook much better if it's not completely stuffed. You can always add flavor by filling the cavity with lots of fresh vegetables and cook the stuffing separately.

If you're in a crunch for time, serve only the breast. We have done this the past five years and our family loves it! The cooking time is faster for white meat and I find you have much less turkey wasted at the end of the day but still enough for leftovers. Soto pairs her Chardonnay and Herb Roasted Turkey Breast with the Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Chardonnay.

2. Hands-Free Mulled Wine

I love serving Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Mulled Wine during holiday get-togethers. Growing up, my mother had a similar recipe, which is why I love it so much, but of course I had to add my own little twist! For an extra kick, I add two teaspoons of ground ginger. Use your slow cooker to prepare this warm sipper not only will you get rich flavors, but your stove top stays wide-open for meal prep!

3. Family Recipes

Nothing conjures up holiday memories quite like a recipe passed down from generation to generation. I always serve a mix of old favorites alongside fun new dishes. This year, I'm making my Heritage Stuffing for me, adding a special ingredient like green plantains to a holiday classic like stuffing is the perfect way to honor my Cuban heritage and make sure a piece of my family's history makes it to the dinner table.

4. A Beautiful Tabletop

If your family is anything like mine, you have a lot of empty bottles of Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi wine at any given time. Why not make recycling the bottles a little more festive (and beautiful!) by cutting the bottles to make candle holders.

It's a safe and simple process all you need is a glass cutter ($8 at Home Depot) and a few leftover bottles and the results are stunning. I recommend cutting the bottles at various heights and arranging them in groups of three to add dimension to the tablescape.

You can also use the tops of the bottles by simply placing them over the candles for a more subtle glow and varied look.

5. Festive Centerpieces

For an easy and seasonally festive Thanksgiving centerpiece, I use empty gourds as vases. Butternut squash is my favorite because then I can create roasted butternut squash seeds or a delicious butternut squash salad afterward.

To create, cut off of the top of the gourd using a sharp knife. Using a spoon, remove the seeds and orange flesh. Rinse, fill with water, and use as an unexpected and beautiful vase filled with flowers.

Sabrina Soto's Hands-Free Mulled Wine

TIP: Use your slow cooker to prepare this warm sipper not only will you get rich flavors, but your stovetop stays wide-open for meal prep.

Ingredients:

(750 milliliter) bottle of Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon

6 cloves

2 teaspoons ground ginger

1 orange, peeled and sliced

cup sugar

cup brandy

2 cinnamon sticks

Directions:

Place all ingredients in a slow cooker

Keep it on the lowest setting until the wine is steaming (25 minutes)

Strain and serve

For more information, Soto teaches how to mix new and old recipes for a unique holiday meal, with her favorite recipes and DIY entertaining tips available on the Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Facebook page.