Roast

We are happy to announce that Bev Jones has won our November "Cook the Cover" contest with her delicious variation on our Miso-Rubbed Turkey with Turkey Gravy. Bev Jones explains her variation:
This will be the juiciest and most flavorful turkey ever! I wanted to give my larger 19-lb turkey a little extra zip by adding rosemary and other herbs to the miso butter. I used all of the butter under the skin, since my turkey was bigger and no basting is required. After rubbing the butter under the skin, I placed red bell pepper rings with a lemon slice in the center of each under the skin for extra flavor and a nice presentation. I also cook all of my turkeys in those clear oven roasting bags you find in the grocery store. I have never been disappointed — no basting, juicy, flavorful, nicely browned, and it cuts the cooking time way down! You don't need as much turkey stock because there is so much juice from the turkey. I like cornstarch for thickening because I like a more clear-looking gravy. This turkey turned out to be spectacular and a real hit with all the family.

Peppers from the valley of La Vera, in Extremadura, are used to produce a deliciously smoky paprika. There are three kinds of pimentón: sweet, bittersweet (called agridulce), and hot. We prefer agridulce in this recipe.

If you aren't making the schmaltz manié ahead of time, there's no need to form the paste into balls. Simply add the paste by teaspoonfuls to the simmering stock until the gravy has reached the desired consistency.

Try using Grade B maple syrup, which has a deeper flavor than Grade A, in this recipe. Look for it at natural foods stores.

Unlike most brined turkeys, this one can be stuffed because the apple-cider brine contains less salt than the typical recipe. Begin brining two days ahead.

An elegant starter or side.

This spread has a dose of fiber and heart-healthy fat, plus beta-carotene.

This slightly spicy, moist side dish is both deeply satisfying and nutritious. Sweet potatoes are rich in complex carbohydrates and fiber, giving them a low glycemic index (this means that they slow the body's absorption of sugar and help regulate blood-sugar levels). A bonus for weight watchers: All those complex carbs will make you feel fuller longer than white potatoes do.

Contrary to popular opinion, Thanksgiving turkey, when not butter-basted, can be a healthful centerpiece to the meal. It's a superb source of lean protein, B vitamins, magnesium, and potassium. To add flavor without adding fat, this recipe uses a garlic-herb rub and a small amount of grapeseed oil, which raises good cholesterol. Another calorie-saving trick: In the gravy, roasted garlic replaces most of the fat from the drippings.

It is critical that you use smoked — not regular—paprika in this dish. Whether you use sweet or hot, you will end up with irresistible sweet potatoes.

These sweet potatoes caramelize slightly in the oven, which gives them a sweet crunch as their flesh remains creamy. Lime syrup lends them addictive acid and tart notes, and fresh chives add a faint onion flavor.

This vegetarian gravy is layered with bold flavors — from the onions to the roasted mushrooms and barley — each of which makes a real statement. Even our carnivorous food editors agree it's one of the best gravies they've ever tasted.

These steaks pair nicely with the roasted Potato Wedges with Rosemary Butter and are, conveniently, roasted at the same oven temperature.

Boeuf à la Mode This old-fashioned pot roast recipe was given to food editor Ruth Cousineau by her late mother-in-law, Mary Cousineau, who learned it from her own French-Canadian mother-in-law. Ruth has substituted allspice for the more difficult-to-find quatre épices, which Mary used to flavor the meat. Like any pot roast, this one tastes even better made ahead and reheated. Drizzle the pan juices over steamed potatoes or serve the sliced meat over noodles.

Most chestnut soups are fairly substantial. We've made our version lighter and brothier to serve as a first course for a big meal. Chopped chestnuts mixed with tangy croutons add texture and extra layers of complexity.