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The technique: Eggs change everything: The yolks add richness and texture, and folding in beaten egg whites elevates the sweet potato casserole to new heights.
The payoff: A sophisticated take on the classic marshmallow-topped sweet potato casserole.

After Thanksgiving, serve the sauerkraut with kielbasa and mashed potatoes—or try it in a Reuben sandwich or as a hot-dog topper.

The technique: Sautéing is just cooking something quickly in a small amount of oil on the stovetop.
The payoff: The dish comes together quickly and the vegetables retain their texture.

The technique: Any dish that's topped with breadcrumbs or cheese and then browned is considered a gratin.
The payoff: Layers of flavor and texture and a way to transform almost any vegetable into something special.

The technique: For crisp-tender vegetables, boil them quickly, then dump them into a bowl of ice water.
The payoff: The rapid boil cooks the veggies just enough; the ice water stops the cooking and intensifies the color of the vegetables.

The technique: When cooked at a high heat, some vegetables take on a deep, nutty flavor and golden brown color. In this recipe, the sugars in the pomegranate molasses enhance the caramelization process.
The payoff: Caramelized vegetables have that addictive sweet-savory taste and a lovely sheen.

The technique: Roasting is as basic as baking something uncovered, but this simple process does something magical to vegetables.
The payoff: Roasting caramelizes the sugars and creates veggies that are browned on the outside and tender on the inside.

The technique: Cooking veggies over moderate heat for a bit longer than you would for a typical sauté helps meld flavors while retaining texture.
The payoff: Side dishes cooked on the stovetop preserve precious oven space.

The technique: Who says stuffing has to be made with bread? Rice-based dressings are a good way to mix up the Thanksgiving lineup. Keep in mind that wild rice from different sources cooks at different rates. Check the package to get an idea of how long the wild rice should cook. The goal is tender rice that still retains its structure.
The payoff: The nutty, hearty texture of wild rice is fantastic with the turkey and all the trimmings. Plus, it's an indigenous American ingredient. A mix of wild rice and white rice is amped up with Middle Eastern flavors in this satisfying stuffing.

The technique: Parboil sliced potatoes in whipping cream, then layer them with mushrooms and top with Gruyère.
The payoff: Great texture and flavor through and through—the cheese gets browned and toasty in the oven, and the layers of creamy potatoes and mushrooms are rich and satisfying.

The technique: High heat equals great flavor—roasting the new potatoes browns and crisps the skin, providing a little bit of crunch.
The payoff: Hearty potato taste and texture with only 25 minutes of prep.

The technique: Braising (sautéing, then cooking low and slow in a bit of liquid) is most often associated with meat, but it's also a great way to cook veggies.
The payoff: Fibrous vegetables like butternut squash are the perfect candidates for braising. The braising liquid infuses the squash with flavor and makes it very tender.

The technique: It's ridiculously simple: Cut the potatoes into wedges, toss with olive oil and ground cumin, then roast.
The payoff: The ideal ratio of crisp to creamy, since there's more surface area exposed in the oven when the sweet potatoes are cut into wedges.

The technique: The perfect mashed potatoes aren't actually mashed. The key is using a potato ricer (which looks like a giant garlic press). This gadget gently breaks the potatoes into tiny, flaky pieces (rather than smashing them into a gluey mass), creating just the right texture.
The payoff: Light, fluffy, perfect potatoes. For horseradish mashed potatoes, replace the butter with five tablespoons olive oil (do not use extra-virgin), and mix in two tablespoons cream-style horseradish before seasoning the potatoes with salt and pepper.

The technique: Cornbread made with masa (the corn flour in corn tortillas) is the foundation for this Latin-flavored stuffing. < The payoff: Masa adds a natural sweetness to the cornbread. Timing note: The cornbread needs to be baked at least one day ahead.

Set aside 1 1/2 cups beans for the Kale and Bean Bruschetta ; you'll also use the beans to make the Kale and Cannellini Soup later in the week.