Heyyyyyy there Thanksgiving. Hi. Hi big turkey. Hi gravy. Hi pie crust! That's the refrain going through many a cook's head this week! Does anything in this lineup freak you out? Or are you a Thanksgiving dinner pro? Does the idea of cooking a whole turkey (not to mention brining the beast) give you cold sweats? Is gravy a mystery shrouded in the murky future? What's your biggest challenge and intimidation factor in cooking this sometimes high-pressure meal? 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

Q: My husband and I are spending Thanksgiving in a sparsely furnished apartment away from our home this year due to his job, so I don't have my usual arsenal of spices and tools. What are some good recipes for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner that use minimal specialty spices and tools? More

Cranberry sauce is one of the easiest and most forgiving Thanksgiving dishes to make from scratch — and now is the time to do it. Simmer a batch of sauce on the stove tonight, store it in the fridge, and you can cross at least one thing off your list for Thursday. Here are a few recipes to get your started, from a traditional spiced sauce to Canal House's port-infused take on the usual canned jelly. More

Q: Help! I am hosting Thanksgiving this year for the first time, and I am very excited! I will only be cooking for six people, and so I am having a hard time selecting a menu that 1) isn't too difficult (i.e. time-consuming) and 2) won't leave me with lots of leftovers. More

Thanksgiving is one of those gatherings where the drinks are often overshadowed by the mental and physical requirements of the menu. For this week's 10- Minute Happy Hour we're taste testing two simple — so as not to add to the already extensive to-do list — seasonally apropos pomegranate cocktails, in search of something perfect for you to serve up or share this Thanksgiving. More

Is there nothing more comforting and delicious than mashed potatoes? This warm, creamy, dairy-laden starch might be more of an indulgence than everyday fare these days, but even if you only have them once a year (Thanksgiving!), I say go all out and do it right. Read on for a recipe for classic mashed potatoes, with recommendations for potato type, dairy additions, and mashing methods. More

Q: I've been tasked with bringing pumpkin pie to Thanksgiving dinner. I'm an adventurous cook, so I'd like to keep the key elements of pumpkin pie (flavor, texture, etc), but make it a little more exciting. I'm open to all ingredients. Any suggestions?

Sent by Christine More