Thanksgiving Ideas

It's time to start talking turkey and thinking about sides and pies for the big day. While I'm very happy with a plate of turkey and good gravy and a little fluffy mountain of mashed potatoes, I'm just as inclinced to consider an Italian or Mexican feast for the big day of eating. Most people are more traditional though. Here are a few ideas that lean in that direction.

Talking turkey:

• Bittman's dry-brined turkey recipe. (We've tried this one and it really works. Produces a much easier but very moist bird.)

• Raichlen's brined turkey recipe

• Raichlen's smoked turkey recipe



Veggies & Sides:

• Roasted carrots and parsnips with sage http://tastytype.blogspot.com/2008/11/roasted-carrots-parsnips-with-sage.html

• Roasted, whipped butternut squash with cinnamon chipotle butter recipe

• Ruth Reichl appeared on KCRW's Good Food radio program recently to discuss the new Gourmet Today book. She talked about the experience of making this luxurious cheesey fondue in a pumpkin. It sounds like a real showstopper and decadently rich. Listen to the interview and see the recipe here.

• Stuffed squash with feta and pistachios recipe

• This is a great "day after" salad to use up that leftover turkey: pulled turkey with dried cherries or cranberries, apples, walnuts, and cheddar with a lime-mustard vinaigrette.

• Google Grain salad with kale, cranberries, ginger, cinnamon, and almonds.

• Suzanne Goin's roasted kobacha salad with bacon and pumpkin seeds.


Desserts:

• Big Sur Bakery's Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake

• Roasted Pears with Vanilla Maple Syrup

• Apple Bombolonis, little tartlets enfolding the best applesauce you've ever tasted, enhanced with vanilla. To die for.

• Pecan Pie or Pecan Pie Bars

Alas, I've not yet found "the" pumpkin pie that I can be faithful to. Suggestions welcome.

Happy feasting everyone!