Thankfully, Turkey Help on the Web

By Shayla Thiel and John Poole
Washingtonpost.com Staff
November 24, 1997

Over the river and through the woods, to YOUR house they go? If you're in charge of preparing Thanksgiving dinner, this cruise on the Web will help you keep all your trimmings intact. From buying the turkey to help for the kitchen-challenged, we'll help you fill up your dinner table.

Start the Shopping, Beware the Turkey
To create a Thanksgiving that grandma would be proud of, go to the obvious place: Better Homes and Gardens. The online version of the magazine has an interactive Thanksgiving Survival Guide with a roasting guide that tells you exactly how big a turkey to buy and how long to cook it. You can even talk turkey with experienced chefs.

Now that you've got that turkey, put it right in the fridge! "Turkey Safety Tips" tells you how to handle, clean and cook your turkey and keep from poisoning all your guests.

A Few Good Recipes
What's a turkey without the trimmings? If you want to try some new dishes, check out The Post's Food section recipes for cornbread, glazes, sweet potatoes and pies. Plus, get these creative cranberry suggestions.

At Family.com, you'll find recipes for a complete spread.

For a truly traditional feast, visit Plymouth, Mass., on the Web. Learn about Plymouth and the history of the holiday and while you get mouth-watering New England Thanksgiving suggestions. The chestnut turkey stuffing and lobster chowder sound especially delicious. For tradition from another part of the country, there's always Southern cornbread stuffing.

Epicurious offers a wealth of recipes and Thanksgiving cooking tips. Their "Menu Maker" will let you select from more than 300 recipes and 16 themed menus. Don't miss James Beard's classic turkey cookbook and Bon Appetit's 12 holiday pies.

So You Don't Eat Turkey?
Dinner guests who can't or don't want to partake of turkey don't have to settle for rolls. For Thanksgiving-type vegetarian dishes, VegSource suggests jicama coleslaw, maple and tarragon sweet potatoes and walnut-apple stuffing. Also try Tara McDermott's vegan Recipes for Seitan stuffed squash and egg-free pumpkin pie.

Cooking a Feast at School
If you're a student who can't make it home for the holiday, check out Yum Yum's Cooking for Students section. If you're in a dorm room, the microwave cooking guide might also make good study material. Although it sometimes doesn't turn up any hits for your searches, Yum Yum is a 10,000-recipe database. If turkey's out of your league and the cafeteria's closed, learn how to cook a hot dog (there are real instructions hidden in there).

You Say You Really Can't Cook?
Most of us don't become Julia Childs the minute we pick up a baster, but if you are really beyond hope, maybe the best thing you can do for your dinner guests is pick up the phone and make a reservation. Search our Restaurant Guide by cuisine, price range or location and you'll get you names, reviews and locations.

If you just can't bring yourself to take the family out of the house, modern grocery stores and rotisserie joints are stepping in with ready-made meals. Pick up a complete banquet on Wednesday, then heat it up when no one's looking. Be sure to give thanks to the Founding Fathers of Fast Food.

Online producer Shayla Thiel spreads cranberry sauce on her turkey.