Or skip the smoked bird and go straight for the salad with a bright lemony twist: Green Salad with Persimmons, Candied Pecans, and a Lemon Vinaigrette. This may be the ultimate palate cleanser for a Thanksgiving table.

Mashed potatoes are a must. Where else would you put all that delicious gravy? Could it get any better? Try Buttermilk and Chive Mashed Potatoes and see what your taste buds think.

It just wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without a turkey and this Simple Roast Turkey with Lemon, Herbs, and Rich Turkey Gravy is a showstopper. Lemon, butter, and sage work wonders underneath the skin.

If turkey isn’t your thing, never fear. Stuffed squash makes a beautiful and delicious centerpiece too. This Savory Sausage Stuffed Squash was from my pre-vegan days but can easily be modified with the help of soyrizo and vegan butter substitute.

A good cranberry sauce can be hard to find. It needs to add a punchy tartness that veers away from bitter yet bears no resemblance to jam. And because adding bourbon makes everything better, it is hard to go wrong with a Bourbon Orange Cranberry Sauce.

If I were to make only one dish for Thanksgiving it would be stuffing. Yes, I fear I am one of those people. I’ll have a big plate of stuffing with a little turkey on the side please! This Savory Sourdough Stuffing is my all time favorite classic stuffing recipe. Passed down from my mother-in-law it is one more reason I feel lucky to have married Mr. B!

Are we ready for dessert yet? One of the reasons I love having Thanksgiving with a lot of people is more pie. That’s right, with only a few people one pie will suffice. But when the whole clan descends it means multiple pies (and multiple dishes- but let’s not think about that now.)

For the Lemon Heads: Lemon Chess Pie

For the Squash Lovers: Pumpkin Pie from a Whole Pumpkin

For Dad: A Strawberry Rhubarb Pie (totally out of season but it is his favorite, so who is going to argue?!)

Now wait a minute. What about the day after Thanksgiving when relatives are still passed out on couches and the dishwasher (otherwise known as Mom) is threatening to quit? Well then my friends it is time for the magic of leftovers. This Nutty Bird Sandwich will leave everyone wishing you had more turkey. An astonishing feat, I know!

So there you have it. A plethora of ideas and recipes to kick off the week before Thanksgiving. What are your plans this year? Are you staying home with a bowl of stuffing or carrying pies across the country? Wherever you are and whatever you are eating know that I am thankful you are here and a part of our life.