#ATKRecipeChallenge: Tucker's Thanksgiving Favorites

Two-Hour Turkey and Gravy, Maple Syrup Pie, and plenty of these storage containers [Log In]( [America's Test Kitchen]( [FIND RECIPES]( [START FREE WEB TRIAL]( [Thanksgiving Entertaining with America's Test Kitchen] [Tucker Shaw: Editor in Chief, Cook's Country]( Happy Thanksgiving Eve. Whether the cooking for tomorrow started a few weeks ago or the lion’s share lies ahead of you, we’ve got you covered with smart recipes (see Tucker’s suggestions below) and timesaving tips to help you prepare a memorable feast. One more piece of advice from our Thanksgiving Entertaining series—not so much about food as about time: Be sure to savor the moments with the people you’re cooking for. Take a breath between tasks tomorrow to appreciate where you are and who you’re there with. More than perfectly roasted turkey, steaming potatoes and stuffing, and flaky, fruit-filled pies, it’s the bonds between family and friends that we celebrate around a Thanksgiving table. And when you’re ready to start planning the next special meal, find inspiration in [All‑Time Best Holiday Entertaining]( with planning, shopping, and cooking advice from 25 years of Cook’s Illustrated magazine. See more info below. Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at America’s Test Kitchen. Home or away? Home! When do your festivities kick off? Cocktails at 6:00, dinner at 8:00. Daytime feasts are fun, but I prefer an evening Thanksgiving. Flickery candlelight, Ella Fitzgerald in the background, and lots of bubbly wine. When I host, it’s bubbles before dinner, bubbles during dinner, and bubbles after dinner. In other words, buy lots of bubbles, folks, and make sure you have room in the fridge to keep them cold. (No room in the fridge? Fill a cooler with ice.) Any special diets to consider? I make a point of having plenty of meatless dishes on hand so guests can fill up on veggies if that’s their preference. And of course plenty of nonalcoholic drinks (fizzy water especially) for those who’d rather not indulge. What’s your favorite recipe? [Two-Hour Turkey and Gravy]( Hey, we’re in a time crunch, right? That’s why I love the Cook’s Country [Two-Hour Turkey and Gravy](. A couple of small but careful cuts through the skin between the breast and the thigh on both sides and then a visit to a high-temperature oven allow this turkey to cook quickly and evenly. It won’t hold together in that classic Norman Rockwell way, so your photo op might be compromised, but the meat will be juicy and the gravy will be savory and your guests will be happy. What’s your family’s consensus pick recipe? [Maple Syrup Pie]( I’d be shunned if I didn’t put out a [Maple Syrup Pie](. Guests tend to bring pies whether they’ve been asked to or not. This is a good thing! But you do run the risk of a pumpkin pie glut. Enter the unexpected maple syrup pie, which is sweet and surprising and a total breeze to make. It works perfectly with a store-bought pie crust, which means one less thing to sweat. Just make sure to leave time for it to chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours before serving. Overnight is fine too. Serve it with whipped cream that you’ve bolstered with a bit of bourbon. Any new recipes this year? [Chicken Banh Mi]( I’m nuts about our new recipe for [Jalapeno-Cheddar Corn Bread](. Some folks might not see this as a Thanksgiving dish but I love hot peppers and this supersimple recipe comes together in a flash and can be made the day before or even early Thursday morning. Slathered with tons of soft butter, a wedge of this flavorful bread is better than a dinner roll and its subtle heat adds a spicy twist to your plate. (Important: Be sure to leave plenty of butter out to soften before dinner. Hard butter is a major dinner-party foul.) What’s your must-have gadget for Thanksgiving cooking? Plenty of [plastic storage containers]( that you don’t mind sending home with people. Everyone wants leftovers. If you’re intent on getting them back (good luck!), stick a strip of masking tape on the base and Sharpie your name on it. What’s your pie preference? Maple Syrup Pie! (See above.) When will the first turkey sandwich get made? Midnight on Thursday. Be sure to buy extra mayo and fresh bread in anticipation. Will anyone be watching football? Absolutely, totally, definitely, wouldn’t be T-day without it. Dallas and Detroit each host a game on Thanksgiving every year, and tradition requires the games to be on while we cook. If I have to choose one game to watch closely, it’ll be the Cowboys versus the Chargers and I’ll cheer (begrudgingly) for the Chargers, or more specifically, I’ll cheer against the Cowboys. Why? Because I was a kid in Denver in the 1970s, when the Cowboys killed the Broncos in Super Bowl XII. The pain lingers for this lifelong Broncos fan. [All-Time Best Holiday Entertaining]( [All-Time Best Holiday Entertaining]( A flawless holiday feast includes at least one perfect sweet finale. While All-Time Best Holiday Entertaining includes our favorite recipes for celebration-worthy appetizers, mains, soups, and sides, you can always work backward and plan dessert first. From Glazed Butter Cookies and Deep-Dish Apple Pie to Chocolate Pots de Crème and Bittersweet Chocolate Roulade with Espresso-Mascarpone Cream , your family’s new favorite finales are inside. Regular price: $22.95 Your price: $15.95 [ORDER NOW]( Making a test kitchen recipe for your own Thanksgiving dinner? Share a photo! Social Media: Post with hashtag [#ATKRecipeChallenge]( Email: Send your pictures directly to ATKRecipeChallenge@AmericasTestKitchen.com Get ideas, recipes, and tips from the pros. 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