Poultry

The stock would also make a good base for turkey soup.

Rich turkey-leg meat (about $2 a pound) is a foolproof stand-in for the traditional veal shank.

You can ask almost any southerner about the comforting savor found in a bowl of chicken and dumplings—or just see for yourself. This version is quick, light, and embellished with mushrooms.

For those with a fear of frying, this oven method produces moist, flavorful meat and all of the requisite crunch—thanks to the crisp panko bread crumbs—with none of the usual mess. It's a terrific choice for an easy family dinner or casual entertaining.

Living in the Pacific Northwest, with our bounty of berries, tree-ripened fruits, hazelnuts, and wild mushrooms, makes going to the farmers' market feel like a season-long treasure hunt. I'm especially rewarded when I stop at the mushroom forager's stand and see a basket chock-full of chanterelle mushrooms. At the peak of the season, I buy fresh chanterelles and use them as often as I can, as in this golden-hued mushroom gravy accompaniment to the holiday bird.

Editor's note: Use these instructions to make Diane Morgan's Juniper-Brined Roast Turkey with Chanterelle Mushroom Gravy This method involves brining the bird in turkey oven bags set in a roasting pan. The roasting pan will fit on 1 shelf in the refrigerator, saving critical space.

Total cost: $9.96

Cinnamon sticks are made from long pieces of bark from various laurel trees that are rolled, pressed and dried. The type of cinnamon used in Thailand is from the Cassia tree. Cinnamon has a sweet, woody fragrance in both ground and stick forms. Rich in therapeutic essential oils, cinnamon warms the body and enhances digestion. It boosts metabolism and is thus useful for weight loss. It is also good for diabetes as it stimulates insulin production.

Most of the ingredients used in this recipe are staples, so all you need to buy are the breadcrumbs, chicken, and parsley. Look for panko in the Asian foods section of supermarkets and at Asian markets.

Cavolo nero (also called black kale, dinosaur kale, or lacinato kale) has a deep flavor that goes beautifully with the richness of pan-roasted duck breasts. The kale can be found at some supermarkets and at farmers' markets and natural foods stores, but any other kale variety can be substituted. Be sure to begin preparation one day ahead.

Roasting greens, such as broccoli rabe, turns them deliciously crispy and earthy. The broccoli rabe's inherent bitterness nicely offsets the sweetness of the roasted-garlic pan sauce. The chicken needs to be salted one day ahead.

Figs combine beautifully with all sorts of salty flavors—prosciutto, for instance, or Gorgonzola, or, of course, bacon. They also add succulent, sumptuous texture.

Chicken breasts are a terrific foundation for an easy-to-make dish that's sweet, salty, dilly, and—is this even a word?—grilly.

Horseradish has a very special sharp, peppery taste that is highly versatile. It can be used in sauces and dressings, or just shredded and sprinkled on a cold piece of meat served on a slice of bread with mustard. Horseradish grows very well in our climate. If you can't find chervil for the sauce, use parsley.

Food critics often say that the measure of a great restaurant is its roast chicken. This technique is much more forgiving than regular oven-roasting chicken, although it doesn't have a crunchy crust. I believe that achieving moist white meat is even more important than the crust.

At Palate Food + Wine, chef Octavio Becerra makes his own potted duck, whitefish, Berkshire pork, and chicken, our favorite. It's herby, homey, and sophisticated. And it makes a great lunch with a salad on the side. A timing note: The chicken needs to marinate overnight before it's braised.