Your Thanksgiving Guide

Cooking a Thanksgiving meal can be daunting even for the most experienced of cooks. After all , unlike Christmas and Easter  where it's the presents or the treats that are under scrutiny, it's the food. The dishes must not only be perfect but true to tradition as well.Luckily there's the Times Dining Thanksgiving guide.It's chock full of recipes and suggestions.(and hopefully not on your recycle pile right now).

Dining greats Melissa Clark and Julia Moskin helm this special edition. Their ideas and hints are truly helpful and also aid in taking the stress out of cooking and baking. Theirs is a practical, don't worry mantra that all cooks , whether old pros or novices should adopt.Every part of the meal is covered from what to drink to the variety of sides to the riffs on pies. They offer a recipe on make ahead gravy which is helpful because it's one less worry on Thanksgiving. Both  dispel fears about cooking the stuffing inside the turkey(it won't give your family salmonella if you do such )There are also classics such as mashed potatoes , elevated with a breadcrumb crust as well as them in an au gratin style dish.

Ms. Moskin and Ms Clark also give spins on classic dishes as well. Cranberry relish gets a fiery kick with the addition of cayenne pepper. Cranberry jelly is zinged up with Grand Marnier, port wine  and juniper berries. Squash, long a Thanksgiving favorite is made exotic with the addition of the Greek tahini sauce  drizzled on top. Yams, another staple, is turned into a sophisticated side thanks to maple syrup, creme fraiche and chipotles. Pies, the must have Thanksgiving dessert classic, becomes totally gourmet with the addition of various liqueurs to the recipes.Apples are not only added toa buttery crust but also , cranberries ginger and rum. The last is used to cut the pie's sweetness. The chocolate pecan pie has bourbon while the pumpkin pie rocks with brandy.

Use the Times Dining Section Thanksgiving Guide for a perfect and tasty holiday meal. There are some great tips and excellent recipes to create the best turley and sides ever. It'll have your family and guests talking about how well you cooked it for months' afterwards/