NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY EATER.COM From one of Americas finest food writers the founder of The New York Times Cooking section comes a definitive timeless guide to Thanksgiving dinnerpreparing it surviving it and pulling it off in style. From the planning of the meal to the washing of the last plate Thanksgiving poses moreand more vexingproblems for the home cook than any other holiday. In this smartly written beautifully illustrated recipefilled book Sam Sifton the Timess resident Thanksgiving expert delivers a message of great comfort and solace There is no need for fear. You can cook a great meal on Thanksgiving. You can have a great time. With simple foolproof recipes for classic Thanksgiving staples as well as new takes on old standbys this book will show you that the fourth Thursday of November does not have to be a day of kitchen stress and family drama of dry stuffing and sad cratered pies. You can make a better turkey than anyone has ever served you in your life and you can serve it with gravy that is not lumpy or bland but a salty balm rich in flavor that transforms all it touches. Here are recipes for exciting side dishes and robust pies and festive cocktails instructions for setting the table and setting the mood as well as cooking techniques and menu ideas that will serve you all year long whenever you are throwing a big party. Written for novice and experienced cooks alike Thanksgiving How to Cook It Well is your guide to making Thanksgiving the best holiday of the year. It is not fantasy. If you prepare it will happen. And this book will show you how. Advance praise for Thanksgiving If you dont have Thanksgiving you are not really having Thanksgiving. This book is as essential to the day as the turkey itself. Its an expert gently opinionated guide to everything from the cranberry sauce to the table setting to the divvying up of the leftovers but its also a paean to the holiday and an evocation of both its past and its promising future