Starter

This will be a hit with fans of blue cheese. It's so rich that small portions would also be great as a starter or side dish.

The flavors of gravlax are used in a new and different way here. (For safety's sake, buy only the best-quality frozen fish, which may need to be ordered ahead.)

This elegant soup doesn't look or taste anything like leftovers.

Sweet caramelized onions and pungent blue cheese make a good pair in this simply elegant appetizer.

These delicious ravioli come from the hot Buenos Aires restaurant Social Paraiso. Freezing the Brie for 20 minutes will make trimming the rind easier.

Dallas chef Kent Rathbun created this recipe for Epicurious's Wine.Dine.Donate program. It makes an elegant first course for Thanksgiving dinner.

We've added spinach to this classic Italian soup to create a dish that's both filling and delicious.

The secret to this simple recipe is using the best carrots you can find; taste them to make sure they are sweet and full of flavor.

Part of what makes this luxurious dish so delicious is that the spinach, artichokes, and oysters have a similar texture and the same soft, gentle flavors.

One dough yields three kinds of thin, buttery Cheddar crackers. While it's a good idea to keep appetizers to a minimum on Thanksgiving, these (along with mixed nuts in the shell) will pique everyone's appetite just enough. Make sure you sample one of each—there won't be any leftovers.

Roasting a whole head of cauliflower at high heat creates beautifully caramelized florets. It's perfectly offset by fresh parsley and a drizzle of a quick lemon dressing.

These showcase all that's great about Indian food: They're vibrant, light, and fragrant. For a spicier patty, add a second stemmed and minced serrano chile.

Serve a chilled crisp California Chardonnay throughout the meal.