For a Trouble-Free Table

Turkey Troubleshooting

Every year around this time we get questions: What's the best way to roast a turkey? How long should it thaw? How do I make gravy? Is there a law that sweet potatoes have to have marshmallows? Stuffing -- inside the turkey or not? Can you come up with something new for dessert? And, finally, should dinner be served before or after the football game? We can't help you on that last one, but as for the rest ... we've got you covered. Below are some of your questions and our answers, with more recipes and advice.

As the cook, I get bored making the same thing year after year. Please suggest some more modern dishes I can include this Thanksgiving.

How about pearl onions in a zippy balsamic reduction or chef Robert Wiedmaier's creative recipe for braised endive gratin topped with melted Gruyere -- or both. Both dishes are not only modern, but they also look beautiful on the table.

I am 12 years old and the only vegetarian in my family. I was wondering if you have any simple recipes that are good substitutes for turkey that you could share.

We have two terrific, easy vegetarian recipes that you could make for your family -- a delicious cheesy corn pudding and a rich, baked macaroni with cheese. A warning: These are so good, you will need to move fast to get a portion of them for yourself because your carnivore relatives will be elbowing you out of the way.

I'm thinking of trying something new instead of the mashed potatoes I always make at Thanksgiving. Do you think I'll have a riot on my hands?

Not with our Party Potatoes. They're like mashed potatoes, but better. And the best part -- they're less fuss for the cook. And for something totally different, we think you'll like a sweet potato puree. It's smooth and creamy with a whiff of vanilla that helps round out the sweetness.

What is the best way to roast a turkey and how long does it take?

That depends on your comfort level with high temperatures. The roasting method that is getting a lot of attention this year is to cook the turkey at a steady, high temperature. It's also the quickest -- 2 hours, give or take, depending on your oven and the size of the bird. We'll tell you how to do it, and also provide two other roasting methods: the equally effective way of starting with a high temperature then lowering it and the tried-and-true low temperature version recommended by the food safety people at the Department of Agriculture. Plus how to roast a turkey breast.

I am tired of recipes for funny cranberry relishes with jalapeno peppers or other offbeat ingredients. Could you give us a recipe for cranberry sauce made with actual fresh cranberries?

We hear you. Personally, we don't think cranberries play well with jalapenos, either, especially on Thanksgiving. We went back to an original for our cranberry recipe this year.

I'm not a gravy person, and don't really know how to make it. But at Thanksgiving everybody seems to want it. Help!

Good gravy starts with a good stock, and you don't have to wait until Thanksgiving to make that. We've got a two-step recipe for a flavorful, lump-free gravy.