Gourmet

The recipe for this eastern European favorite varies from Russia to Slovenia, but it is always rich, sweet, and dense. Poppy seeds can easily become rancid, so make sure your poppy-seed filling tastes fresh.

This simple sauce is delicious drizzled over the poppy-seed sweet bread or the rum raisin apple pie.

There's lots of bold flavor in this hearty stuffing, which, though inspired by a classic Italian combination, happens to work in perfect concert with everything on the American holiday table. Baking it in a wide dish yields plenty of crusty top for everyone.

Parsnips, celery root, and sweet potatoes bring depth to this unfussy gratin. Best of all, it requires no "arranging"—you just spread the root vegetables in the baking dish.

Soufflés often contain so much cheese it dominates the dish. Swiss cheese subtly enriches this flavorful version.

This simple yet sophisticated relish has depth and tang that store-bought cranberry sauce just can't match.

Put a spin on creamed onions this holiday by using an ingredient from the same family instead. Not only do these leeks bake into something extraordinary, they get you out of the time-consuming task of peeling all those tiny pearl onions.

We love the contrasts at play in this dish—from its earthy, sweet flavors to its velvety, crisp textures. The convenience of being able to roast these vegetables along with the turkey roulade is just another reason to make them.

In Russia and eastern Europe kasha is most often made into thick gruel. Instead, we turned the roasted buckwheat kernels into a fantastic side dish studded with butter-toasted walnuts and browned onion.

Adding the cranberries in three stages, along with crumbled nuts, results in a wonderful conserve with layers of texture and flavor. The turbinado sugar imparts subtle caramel undertones.

Visually arresting and ready in a snap, these steamed cauliflower wedges are the side dish of your dreams.

Your suspicions are confirmed: We did have the classic green-bean casserole with fried-onion topping on the brain when working on this recipe. But sweet, nutty roasted Brussels sprouts and a woodsy blend of wild mushrooms will make this luxurious variation a hit on even the most traditional holiday table. The fried shallots provide an irresistible savory crunch.

This is the ultimate turkey lover's turkey—no bells and whistles, just a succulent bird with crispy skin and plenty of delicious gravy. It's also great for first-timers, since there's no fussing with brines or glazes and no stuffing the cavity. Plus, it's done in under 4 hours.

Even if you love dark meat, you won't be disappointed with this easy alternative to serving a whole turkey. Roasting the turkey breast at high heat for a short time locks in tons of meaty juice, and the filling combines stuffing and cranberry sauce in one dish. Pan juices, whisked together with apple cider, top it all off.

The flavors of this tart are remarkably balanced—it's a bit savory and a bit sweet. (In fact, in the south of France, where it's known as tourte aux blettes, you'll often see the pastry served for dessert.) Paired with a simple salad, it makes for a supremely satisfying light dinner.

The garlicky spread that tops this steak is also excellent on fish, chicken, and pasta. Make extra and freeze it for a super finish for future weeknight dinners.