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Your guide to hosting a flavorful, cozy and stress-free Thanksgiving

By · Via NPR · Published by Everything Blog

In short

Streamlined culinary techniques include America’s Test Kitchen chef Lan Lam's method of cooking whole turkey on a pre-heated pizza stone to avoid flipping. Alongside modernized mains, diverse sides like chef Samin Nosrat's pull-apart garlic bread and chef Roy Choi's Korean-inspired vegetable sauce add flavor and variety. Meanwhile, authors and wellness experts recommend setting conversational ground rules and prioritizing select moments to prevent social burnout during the celebration.

Key points

  • Choosing smaller cuts like a bone-in turkey breast simplifies cooking while still providi…: Choosing smaller cuts like a bone-in turkey breast simplifies cooking while still providing enough food for holiday gatherings.
  • Posing creative prompts allows hosts to bypass superficial small talk and steer group con…: Posing creative prompts allows hosts to bypass superficial small talk and steer group conversations more effectively.
  • Psychotherapist Niro Feliciano advises hosts to choose three specific moments to focus on…: Psychotherapist Niro Feliciano advises hosts to choose three specific moments to focus on being entirely present.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

Every time I host Thanksgiving, it feels like a debate between what to repeat from last year and what to do differently this year.

Should I cook that turkey recipe again, or try a new one? Should I decorate the table with mini gourds again, or shake things up with a big sunflower centerpiece?

Let Life Kit help you decide. As you plan your Thanksgiving, friendsgiving or harvest-themed dinner party menu and decor, here are a few fresh ideas to add flavor, color and calm to the day. That includes two foolproof turkey recipes, advice on how to stay present while hosting, and directions on how to create a stunning floral arrangement with supermarket flowers.

Crowd-pleasing Thanksgiving recipes

Combine these recipes with sides and desserts — and you've got a whole feast. Don't forget to make Mama Stamberg's cranberry relish!

Easier roast turkey and gravy. Chef and writer Lan Lam shares the recipe she developed for America's Test Kitchen. It involves roasting the turkey on a pre-heated pizza stone to avoid the dreaded task of flipping the piping hot bird…

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