Saute
Mustard-Glazed Baby Carrots
The carrots' natural sweetness plays off the tang of the mustard. This effortless dish pairs particularly well with the rosemary pork chop.
Curry-Dusted Scallops with Pea Purée
Golden-brown scallops are gorgeous when framed by a bright pea purée. An infusion of curry and lime juice invigorates this dish.
Turkey Cutlets in Anchovy-Butter Sauce
Anchovy paste might seem like a strange addition here, but it's a handy ingredient that can perform amazing feats even when used in tiny amounts.
Cranberry Fennel Stuffing
This sweet and savory stuffing can be made two weeks ahead and frozen. Defrost it in the refrigerator the night before Thanksgiving.
Panettone Panzanella with Pancetta and Brussels Sprouts
Panzanella is an Italian bread and tomato salad served in the summer and made with leftover crusty country loaves. In this winter version, tomatoes are replaced by brussels sprouts and apples, and the fruit-filled bread known as panettone stands in for the country loaves.
Simple Homemade Beef Stock
An easy version of the classic.
Pumpkin Stuffed with Vegetable Stew
Vegetarians deserve a showstopping centerpiece for their main course, too, and this burnished pumpkin, filled with a fragrant stew, will have even meat eaters saying, "Who needs a turkey?" Root vegetables, mushrooms, and seitan—a firm, meatlike wheat protein that soaks up all the flavors of the sauce—mingle with roasted vegetables inside the pumpkin, whose flesh you scoop out along with servings of the stew. (Don't be intimidated at the thought of assembling such a masterpiece—if you've ever made a jack-o'-lantern, you have the skills to prepare this dish.)
Shrimp with Indian-Spiced Potatoes
Because curry powder is a blend of many spices, it's a tremendous way to get both depth and complexity in one fell swoop. Adding cayenne compounds the intensity. Take a taste of this fragrant, pleasantly spicy dish, and you'll agree.
Fettuccine With Brussels Sprouts and Pine Nuts
The natural nuttiness of Brussels sprouts is greatly enhanced by the addition of pine nuts, and sautéing the sprouts deepens that flavor. Tossing them with al dente fettuccine will make you wonder how anyone could dislike them.
Pasta-Shell Risotto with Broccoli Rabe
Slowly cooking the pasta risotto-style by ladling hot broth over it allows the shells to soak up all of the broth's aroma and results in a velvety, creamy texture. The bitter bite of the greens adds just enough edge.
Rib-Eye Steaks in Red-Wine Sauce
The act of deglazing—using a liquid to "release" pan drippings—is the tried-and-true trick to getting a quick, flavorful sauce. The soy in this recipe melds wonderfully with the wine and adds a certain depth.
Spicy Calamari with Bacon and Scallions
Sautéing the squid in the bacon fat adds tons of flavor to the seafood itself. Fried calamari with marinara sauce will be but a distant memory once you try this.
Haricots Verts With Herb Butter
Make the vibrant lemon, tarragon, and parsley butter up to three days ahead and then toss with hot blanched green beans for an easy last-second side.
Sauteed Swiss Chard with Onions
Italians are crazy for dark leafy greens of all kinds, and Swiss chard is a particular favorite in the fall. Here, with stems and ribs included, you get the full earthy spectrum of the vegetable.