Bon Appétit

Yes, gravy should be lump-free (always whisk, don't stir), but it's the flavor of the roux that makes or breaks what gets passed at the table. Toasting flour in butter is what develops its deep, nutty taste. You'll know it's done when it's the color of graham crackers and smells like popcorn.

Cook turkey legs separately from the breasts and be prepared for the greatest holiday-food “Aha!” moment ever.

Adding sour cream to the dough imparts richness and a bit of tang, and doesn't thin it out too much.

Mayonnaise in the batter isn't as weird as it sounds—it's just eggs and oil, after all. It's also why this cake is so moist.

For this Thanksgiving-in-a-glass cocktail, feel free to sub (thawed) frozen cranberries for fresh.

This chocolate and pumpkin mashup is surprising yet delicious. It's so good that you don't have to brûlée the top,though that effect surely makes the pie a show stopper.

Pomegranate seeds sub in for cranberries in this bracing, colorful relish.

This cut of pork can be very lean, so take care not to overcook it or it will be dry. Ideally, it should still be a little pink in the center.

We tried all kinds of gingersnaps to make this easy crust. Our favorite? Anna's Ginger Thins.

Adding barley malt syrup offers a rounder, less-sweet note in this take on pecan pie. Look for it at health food stores.

Take cornbread up a notch with this sweet-and-savory version studded with sautéed, thyme-scented apples.

Yeasted doughs might seem daunting to novice bakers, but these rolls are very simple to make.

The tang of sour cream gives the illusion that this recipe is not as rich as the cream, butter, and milk would imply.

Thyme syrup adds a savory note to this rum-cider punch that'd be great as a pre–holiday dinner drink.

No endless simmering and stirring for this garlicky pasta sauce. Here, canned tomatoes are oven-roasted, which intensifies their flavor while cutting down on fuss.

Basil is wilted like a leafy green in this stir-fry, then added raw at the end for a double dose of its aromatic flavor.

This Mexican-inspired torta is stuffed with turkey, lime, cilantro, and pickled red onion.