Thanksgiving

From the Williamsburg Inn's Regency Room.

Instead of serving coffee, alter the usual dessert routine by offering a glass of Cognac or dry Sherry with these apples.

For best results, make this stuffing with day-old Buttermilk Corn Bread.

Tart apples and sweet ones come together in this all-American favorite.

Traditional flavors (honey and orange) and contemporary ones (cumin and chilies) come together in the glaze, which also gives the gravy some heat and zip. See how to carve a turkey.

Here, leftover cranberry sauce (or canned cranberry sauce) and boneless pork chops make a very contemporary little supper. Freshen up any leftover mashed white or sweet potatoes by stirring in chopped lemon and orange peel. A salad of bitter greens tossed with a cider vinaigrette, and a simple dessert of grape clusters and spiced bar cookies round things out.

Purchased phyllo makes this pear strudel quick and easy to prepare. For best results, let the thawed frozen phyllo stand in its box at room temperature a few hours before starting. Be sure to use ripe fresh pears for the filling.

So good — and no cooking required. Prepare the relish at least a day ahead, and add more cardamom before serving if you'd like a stronger flavor.

Apples bring a mild sweetness to this rich soup, which can be made a day ahead.

Active time: 1 hr Start to finish: 2 hr

Complementary ingredients give the yams a deliciously sweet and tart flavor.

The vinegar in this gravy gives it an appealing tartness. Round off the meal with cranberry sauce and steamed broccoli. Watch how to prepare and carve your bird with our streaming video demonstration.

Can be made in 45 minutes or less.

A nice stuffing for poultry or an excellent accompaniment to pork tenderloin or salmon.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

A sinfully rich dessert that's amazingly easy to prepare.