Turkey

Active time: 35 min Start to finish: 45 min

Such flavor from only a few ingredients — the tarragon and vermouth play off each other beautifully. Red or white wine will work with this meal; depending on your preference, serve a dry Sémillon or a fruity Pinot Noir.

Maple syrup, marjoram, coriander seeds, and lemon peel flavor a do-ahead butter that is spread on the turkey before baking. That same butter is also added to the Madeira-laced gravy. Grape clusters or steamed baby vegetables, such as carrots and squash, make a pretty garnish for the platter.

Mole Poblano Mole is very time-consuming to make, but you can begin up to three days ahead. The results are well worth the effort. In Mexico, this is served with rice or unfilled tamales.

Look for chipotle chilies in adobo sauce in the Latin American foods section of the market. Serve the wraps with purchased salsa and an avocado, grapefruit and red onion salad with oil and vinegar dressing. Complete the menu with chocolate wafer cookies and coffee ice cream.

You can substitute flour tortillas for lavash.

Poblano and jalapeño chiles, tomatillos, and cilantro account for the recipe's title. Serve with: Mexican beer, warm tortillas, green salad, and lemon sorbet.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Western ingredients are particularly well suited to the Thanksgiving feast, as evidenced by this robust, satisfying gravy. It comes from Montana-based Greg Patent, the author of New Cooking from the Old West (Ten Speed Press, 1996), and it has an appealing home-on-the-range quality, thanks to plenty of fresh sage and the smoky taste of bacon. It's rich, delicious and perfect for smothering turkey and potatoes. Follow these directions to make a foolproof gravy no matter what recipe you use for roasting the turkey. Since the broth and giblets can be prepared one day ahead, the last-minute steps are kept to a minimum.

Duck, turkey or dark chicken meat can substitute for the goose with equally delicious results. Fine accompaniments are a green salad with Roquefort vinaigrette and hot crusty bread. For a quick and sophisticated dessert, add a bit of red wine and ground cinnamon to canned pears with their syrup.

First the turkey is soaked overnight in a brine to improve flavor and ensure moist meat. (Be sure to use a pot large enough to hold both the brine and the turkey.) The smokiness of the turkey is offset beautifully by the tangy, sweet glaze, which incorporates two quintessential Napa Valley ingredients: wine and mustard.

No carving required: Have the butcher bone the turkey breast, leaving the breast halves attached; then just slice at the table before serving. In addition to the sweet potatoes and cranberries, serve buttered green beans and bread alongside the turkey. Pour Chardonnay or Zinfandel, and finish off with the classic pumpkin pie, dolled up with one of the recommendations on the next page.