Thanksgiving 2012

“COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO!”

That's the sound of approximately 46 million roosters cheering that their lives will be spared, at least for one day, as Americans set aside their favorite poultry and instead reach for a slice of turkey.

Thanksgiving is so synonymous with turkey that the holiday has earned the nickname “Turkey Day.” And rightfully so--a beautifully roasted turkey is the perfect centerpiece for a grand meal of sweet, savory, hot and cold dishes that traditionally includes potatoes, stuffing, gravy, cranberries and green beans, but is certainly open to a lot of creativity. Thanksgiving dinner can be delicious whether its a simple meal or a complicated showcase.

For the home cook, Thanksgiving is the pinnacle. The day you want everything to work just right: to impress, delight and satisfy.

This is my 13th year making Thanksgiving dinner. Over the years I've perfected traditional favorites while indulging in a bit of experimentation. The maple-bacon ice cream was a welcome accompaniment to pumpkin pie; my attempt to “deconstruct” a green bean casserole wasn't such a hit.

For the next 3 weeks, Cook In / Dine Out will focus almost exclusively on Thanksgiving dishes, presenting a mix of the old and the new, to include drinks, appetizers, salads, sides (including vegetarian options) and of course, the turkey. Some of these are new recipes, others are ones I've made for years. All I think are quite delicious, and I hope you enjoy them too.