Seasoned Cooking

Thanksgiving has come and gone and I hope your festive meal went off without a hitch! I hope the turkey was tender and juicy. I hope the pies were mouthwatering and beautiful. I hope the gravy had no lumps at all. I hope the cranberry sauce was just the right amount of tart. I hope the sides were perfect and plenty. And I hope you had a meal surrounded by people you love who also love you. That's the heart of it all.

Now, enjoy those leftovers! We'll see you next week. In the meantime, I'll be in my favorite comfy corner taking a nap!

For those who see Thanksgiving dinner as being all about the sides, here's another delight. Maple-glazed carrots rest on your dinner plate, but feel like they should be dessert! Look for a variety of brightly colored carrots for a very special holiday treat.

For those who see Thanksgiving dinner as being all about the sides, this one's for you. Delightfully seasoned and buttery and crisp, these smashed taters are so good, you'll be making them night after night and ignoring any main course in sight!

The key to a perfect Thanksgiving (or any other time of the year -- turkey is delicious and should be enjoyed regularly) turkey is salt and heat. Most people have the roasting part of that down more or less, but did you know that pre-salting (or dry-brining) is the best way to give a nod to the salting part?

A dressed up version of broccoli cheddar soup is a perfect first course for Thanksgiving dinner. You can serve it in bowls, ramekins, or even mugs. It's a great way to give everyone a taste of the decadence to come!