Nut Free

Black truffle butter, available online and in fine grocery stores, adds a touch of aromatic luxury to the standard turkey. Rubbing the flavored butter under the skin allows the truffle flavor to permeate the meat while keeping it moist. Wear food-safe gloves to do this job; it makes it a lot neater and easier!

Valrhona chocolate pearls give these cookies great crunch, but you can also swap them out in favor of an equal amount of malted milk balls—or skip both and simply double the chocolate chunks. For cookies with a super-gooey middle, skip the refrigerating step and simply scoop the dough onto baking sheets and freeze. You can bake the cookies straight from frozen (you may need to add a few minutes to the baking time). Store frozen dough balls in a resealable freezer bag in the freezer for up to 1 month.

Since most of us cook our stuffing outside the bird as dressing, why not take the French theme one step further and make a savory French bread pudding instead? You can substitute challah for the buttery brioche--just note that you may require a bit more liquid since the bread should be soaked through.

Slow-roasting halibut and leeks in olive oil is one of the easiest, most elegant ways to serve fish at a dinner party.

Parsnips are naturally sweet and not too starchy, which makes for an ultra-silky mash.

You need a palate-cleansing salad to balance the rich pork and hearty sides: This is it.

For a beautiful, almost bone-white soup, don't let the leeks and onion take on any color as they soften.

Use a very sharp cheddar to make this—it's the difference between pimiento cheese and cheesy mayonnaise.

A good fritto misto crust is light and crunchy (thanks, cornstarch!). If the batter thickens as you work, thin it with a bit of soda water as needed.

It's just as tasty without booze but only as good as the chocolate you use, so shop accordingly.

We love leeks. All you need are olive oil, salt, and the heat of the oven to coax some magic out of leeks.

Keys to great chips: A lower frying temp gets the moisture out; a vinegar soak ensures they're crisp.

Parmesan crisps turn this simple fall salad into something extra-special.

Chicken legs, potatoes, and briny Kalamata olives star in this easy one-pan dish. "This entire meal comes together on a single rimmed baking sheet. It's comforting and ridiculously simple." —Claire Saffitz, assistant food editor

Broiled shallot, leek, and scallions deliver a triple-onion punch to this creamy dip.

I have such fond memories of helping my mom make lasagna as a kid. I was in charge of layering the noodles, sauce, ricotta and mozzarella. Today, my lasagna is a bit lighter than my mom's. Rather than making it as a large tray, I prefer to make them into rolls—which I load up with vegetables—for better portion control. And here I swap tomato sauce for a wonderfully savory Butternut squash sauce with shallots, garlic, and Parmesan cheese.

Achieve the deep, comforting flavors of slow-cooked pho in an hour with a few clever shortcuts.

A smoky Aleppo pepper and brown sugar rub give this meltingly tender roast an addictive crust. Drizzle the shreddable pork slices with an herby vinaigrette at the table for a vibrant finish.

The sweetness of the squash, dates, and coconut oil in this simple roast is balanced by the garlic and woodsy herbs.