Herbs & Spices

Begin marinating the olives at least two and up to five days ahead.

Be sure to rub the turkey with the spice mixture the day before roasting.

This will be a hit with fans of blue cheese. It's so rich that small portions would also be great as a starter or side dish.

Look for sesame oil in the Asian foods section of the supermarket.

This recipe yields extra gingerbread — enjoy it with a cup of tea or coffee.

It's all about the interplay between cake, syrup, and pears in this sophisticated dessert. The rosemary syrup would also be delicious in a cup of tea.

Cooking a pot of rice is much easier than tearing up and toasting bread for stuffing. Assembling the side dish a day ahead saves time, too.

This uses store-bought gravy and can be done a day ahead.

Fresh cardamom and vanilla seeds make for a version that's both sweet and sultry.

The warm spices in this version are the very essence of the holiday.

The pineapple may be unexpected, but it brings all the flavors together and makes them shine.

Serve with mustard-seed-crusted pork medallions. IMPROV: Use chopped fresh rosemary in place of the thyme.

Here's a grown-up spin on the caramel apple — in tart form.

Mint brings a hit of freshness to this classic side.

The flavors of gravlax are used in a new and different way here. (For safety's sake, buy only the best-quality frozen fish, which may need to be ordered ahead.)

Here's a classic stuffing to suit all tastes. For a vegetarian version, substitute vegetable or mushroom broth.

This elegant soup doesn't look or taste anything like leftovers.