Dried Cranberry

This dressing is best cooked in a dish of its own, which also allows the top layer of bread to brown to an appealing crisp.

What to drink: Offer robust French roast coffee, but also a vintage or ruby Port.

This is like a frozen mousse, which helps explain its name: semifreddo, or "half-frozen." Start preparation a day ahead.

Always cool the stuffing completely before filling the turkey.

The cranberries add tartness, color and texture. Serve the pie with vanilla ice cream or sweetened whipped cream, if you like.

Assemble these four hours ahead, and rewarm them 20 minutes before serving.

This updated classic adds dashes of red — and depth of flavor — to the usual apple, celery, and walnut mix. Make the salad ahead and refrigerate, then add the watercress and pecans right before serving.

This is equally good served warm or cold. If you prefer it cold, begin preparing the dessert well ahead so that it has time to chill.

White rice, currants and pine nuts also go into the filling for this regional specialty.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Accompany this colorful dish with rice pilaf and baby peas with pearl onions. The kicker: spice bars and orange slices.

Surprise — a bit of ketchup helps the sweet and tart flavors blend. Make this up to three days ahead.