preparing food for the 2 day yom tov

[KOSHER KOOK]

I am newly observant but not to keeping Kosher. How do you prepare food for 2 Sederim in advance. My oven is electric and shuts off after 24 hours so I can't leave it on for 2 days to heat food. My stove is gas so I can use a blech and I have 2 large electric hot plates and a 16 qt. roaster.

I have finally gotten Shabbat down, now 2 huge meals are challenging me. HELP

[NIteOwl]

It is definitely a challenge! Kol Hakavod for making the commitment. You really do have to have most of the cooking for both meals done by Friday afternoon. For the second seder, I would make a main dish that will be ok reheated, like a brisket or meat balls. Kugels can also be reheated on the blech pretty successfully. Wrap everything in tin foil. Also, since cooking on Yom Tov is permitted (on an existing flame) you can remove the blech as soon as Shabbat is over and cook any fresh vegetables or heat up your soup during the beginning of the seder. Timing seder food is one of the biggest challenges for an observant cook.
Also remember on Friday to prepare 2 nights worth of seder foods like charoset and hard boiled eggs.
I have found that it is worth changing my kitchen over a few days early, so I have the time to prepare everything without getting too crazy.
Hope this helps, and I'm happy to answer other questions...I've been doing this for a long time!!

[KOSHER KOOK]

Thanks for the pointers. Hadn't even thought about the charoset and eggs. I think I will make turkey for the first night since I can cook it and serve it on Fri. and I have a veal breast that I think will withstand reheating. Just have to remember to turn on my blechs and keep them on.

[NIteOwl]

Yes, the blechs are the key. It will be easier if you do leave your stove on with the blech in addition to the warming trays. That way you will have a fire to light your Yom Tov candles on Saturday night. One piece of advice: cover the burner knob so you don't accidentally turn off the stove. I've done it just out of habit and then I'm stuck!

Good luck! Shabbat Shalom