Will you be giving your guests assigned seating at Thanksgiving and other fall gatherings? For inspiration, check out these colorful place cards featuring autumn fruits like apples, pears, cranberries, pomegranates, and persimmons. Natural place settings like these are perfect for last-minute decorating and they won't go to waste at the end of the meal. More

Go figure. Pumpkin pie is best when it's, well, not made with pumpkin, according to Melissa Clark. She tested a bunch of pumpkin and squash varieties to determine which one would provide the freshest, sweetest flavor. And the winner is... More

Whether you're planning a low-key holiday meal or sneaking in a midweek dinner date amid other holiday plans, put these tender pork chops glazed with brown sugar on your list. It's one of those dishes that is so easy and so simple, and yet feels like a special feast all its own. More

It has become something of a tradition for us to talk about salad right now, days before the Thanksgiving holiday. Yes, Thanksgiving is a literal feast of heavy, delicious foods like mashed potatoes swimming in butter (see our luxurious recipe here) and the sweetest flaky pies. But I think that a good salad is also essential. More

Everything I know about cornbread dressing—and Thanksgiving—I learned from my mother, which she in turn learned from her mother. It is a long line of resourceful Southern cooks, and I trust them with this important meal completely. The secret? More

One of the greatest discoveries upon moving to Northern California was the fig tree in the back yard of my apartment building. I could hardly believe the bounty of fruit this tree gave me that first autumn. Since then, I have set about collecting all the ways of using figs that I can possibly can. Love figs? What do you do with them? More

Is it really already time to start thinking about Thanksgiving? Is National Turkey Day truly just next week? Eeek! It is indeed, and if the immediacy of things has caught you off guard as well then hopefully these quick, easy, (and inexpensive) ideas for setting your own beautiful Thanksgiving Day table will give you one less thing to worry about. More

What are the holidays without wheat, dairy, eggs, and refined sugar? Pretty dreary, I imagined — until I came up with this moist, richly flavored gingerbread cake that I will be happily baking for months, if not years, to come. More

Thanksgiving table centerpieces can be as elaborate or as easy as you make them. Personally, I think simple is beautiful, and I'd much prefer a display of leaves and candles over an overwrought gilded craft explosion. If you're of that mindset, too, then these eight table decor ideas should be right down your alley: More

In a week from today, you'll probably be shopped, planned, and (partially) prepped for Thanksgiving. If you want some Thanksgiving-worthy cheese ideas, look no further than the archives of our Cheesemonger columns. From cheese balls to the tastiest homemade cheese crackers. to spreads, accompaniments, and all the best things to serve with a cheese platter, here's your go-to Thanksgiving guide on how to incorporate copious amounts of cheesy goodness into your meal next week. You can thank us later. More