Mmmm... Thanksgiving. A hearty home-cooked feast filled with the sweetness, warmth and nostalgia of yesteryear. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a first-timer, these sites will help you recreate the classics and bring new mouth-watering dishes to the table.
The Bird
For the best advice on menu-planning, check out the day-to-day Holiday Feast Planner on the Butterball site. Some schedules start November 1, so get cooking! The site also provides tips on how to select, store, stuff, roast and carve the perfect turkey.
You'll find more terrific turkey tips at Thanksgiving Cooking Tips and the Better Homes and Gardens Thanksgiving menu guide.
For hearty recipes, visit AllRecipes.com. You'll find classic directions for making "good-old torn" Home-Style Michigander Turkey and "mellow" New England Style Maple Roast Turkey and Gravy. The site also includes more exotic recipes like Ma Lipo's Apricot-Glazed Turkey with Roasted Onion and Shallot Gravy.
Savory Sides
SeasonalRecipes.com is an excellent source for homestyle vegetables, breads, side dishes, stuffing and desserts. Its repertoire includes Mom's Traditional Creamed Onions and Great Green Beans, Great-Grandma's Bread Stuffing and Dad's Pumpkin Cheesecake. For another recipe-packed site, check out About.com's Recipe Round-Up.
Still not satisfied with the spuds? Check out the Idaho Potato Commission for buying tips and the Big Spud for leftover advice.
Meatless Menus
For vegetarian alternatives, try:
Vegetarian Thanksgiving Homestyle recipes include Amish Potato-Bread, Walnut-Bread Stuffing and Wine and Honey Glazed Brussel Sprouts.
Vegetarian Central In addition to finding meatless and vegan recipes, you can even try your hand at deep-frying a Tofurky.
Beyond the Bird
If you want to replace the turkey without diminishing the meat, visit Meatloaf Makeover for tips, recipes and resources about this comfort food favorite. You'll find traditional and regional recipes like Mom's Basic Meatloaf and Miami Meatloaf, plus healthy tips to make this classic a low-fat/high-flavor success.