Starter

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less but requires additional unattended time.

Top toast points with this for an appetizer, or serve it as an accompaniment to grilled lamb, fish or chicken.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less but requires additional unattended time.

Lane Crowther, A contributing editor at Bon Appétit, says that "For twenty-five years our family endured side dishes of canned creamed corn and sweetened baked squash—simply for the sake of tradition. With this soup, I was finally able to convince everyone that a few classic Thanksgiving ingredients (like corn and squash) could be combined in a delicious new way."

Smoky andouille sausage is the perfect counterpoint to the delicate scallops.

These mushrooms go well with the creamy Parmesan polenta , making a fine vegetarian meal.

Carciofi alla Romana Active time: 1 hr Start to finish: 1 1/2 hr

Creamy on the inside and crunchy on the outside, these are fragrant with Indian curry and cilantro. Scallops are a less expensive alternative to crab, and they make a moist, plump little cake. Prepare the scallop cakes ahead and simply reheat right before guests arrive.

Active time: 1 1/2 hr Start to finish: 5 1/2 hr In an April 1975 article titled "The Phenomenal Food Processor," Gourmet introduced the Cuisinart to the world. More than 25 years later, no American kitchen seems well equipped without one. Early on, the food processor dazzled us with mousselines and silken brioche dough; pulverized parmesan cheese; shredded, sliced, and puréed vegetables; pulsed pie dough, and spreadable pâtés. It was even easy to clean. Here, the processor transforms a dinner party standard — coquilles St.-Jacques — into crisp little hors d'oeuvre puffs.

Serve this salad with grilled meats; it's especially great with spare ribs.