Allrecipes October/November 2021

THANKSGIVING FORECAST Definitely Delicious An uncertain world makes it impossible to predict exactly how Thanksgiving will shake out this year. But what happens in your kitchen, around your table, and on your plate is still mostly up to you. And we’re still betting it’s going to be tasty. As we began planning this issue, with 2020’s Turkey Day via Zoom in the rearview, we hoped Thanksgiving 2021 would be truly epic. I had visions of a ginormous potluck with a mile-long table and a week or more of smaller Friendsgiving gatherings to make up for lost time. As of this writing, it’s looking like that might not be advisable or possible for everyone. But, hey! We’re still here. We’re still hopeful. And we’re still eager to help you make the most delectable meals for…

Have a Foolproof THANKSGIVING No one wants to mess up the biggest meal of the year. And the Allrecipes community of home cooks is here with tried-and-trusted recipes and tips for your most successful Thanksgiving ever. We’ve got you covered with meal planning, what to bring to your first holiday with your significant other’s family, how to handle the stress of multiple celebrations, and even what to make if you loathe turkey. First, check out our special Thanksgiving Playbook, it's loaded with holiday favorites from our editors, readers, and Allstars. Then dive into all the website has to offer! YOUR T-DAY PLANNER Follow along on Facebook and Instagram as we prep for the big event. Get timely tips for gathering your gear, creating a killer shopping list, coming up with a make-ahead cooking plan, and…

TOPPERS Galore Dress up your cornbread, mulled juice, and chili with toppings you have on hand: BUTTER, HONEY, OR MAPLE SYRUP CINNAMON STICKS AND ORANGE OR LEMON TWISTS SOUR CREAM, GREEK-STYLE YOGURT, SHREDDED CHEDDAR, OR CRUMBLED COTIJA SLICED RADISHES, JALAPEÑOS, OR GREEN ONIONS TORTILLA CHIPS, STRIPS, OR ROASTED PEPITAS SHREDDED LETTUCE, FRESH CILANTRO, OR LIME WEDGES Light It Up You can find candle-making supplies at crafts stores or online. We used kits from Bramble Berry, which offers several scents and jar types. From $35 at brambleberry.com Prefer to upcycle? Buy wax and wicks and use orphaned drinking glasses or those little yogurt containers and jam jars you’ve been accumulating. For this look, we used cocktail glasses made of recycled Mexican glass. If you prefer, make the candles ahead of time and give them as party favors, paired with stylish matchboxes. Choose from…

It’s Kind of a Sappy Story. The sap or bark of more than 20 tree species can be transformed into delicious syrups. A few types to try: Birch Mildly sweet, birch syrup’s rich, bold, and tangy flavor complements both savory and sweet dishes. Mix it up in a cocktail. Brush it on as a glaze on Brussels sprouts, fish, or roasts. Or use it to punch up the taste of cookies, caramel corn, and muffins. Hickory With its slightly spicy notes, hickory syrup can sweeten hot cocoa or buttercream frosting and makes a great grilling companion in marinades or barbecue sauces. Beech The sap of American beech trees distills to a syrup that’s intense, with dark caramel and raisin flavors. Try it where you might otherwise use molasses—such as in gingerbread, baked beans, and pecan pie. Palm Palm syrup…

During stressful times, healthy levels of serotonin, a chemical produced by nerve cells that plays a key role in our mood, may help us feel more emotionally stable and happy. While we can’t get serotonin directly from food, the fiber in root vegetables promotes favorable gut bacteria. And because most of our serotonin is produced in our gut, having healthy gut microbes is essential for increasing our serotonin. Root vegetables are the edible part of a plant that grows underground. There are several families of root vegetables, including tap roots (turnips, beets, carrots), tuberous roots (sweet potatoes, yucca), and tubers (potatoes, yams). Autumn is the perfect time to dig into them. Roast and braise them to intensify their natural sweetness, add them to soups and stews, or mash them. Antioxidants, such as vitamins…