We are talking turkey today of the mustard-crusted variety. It may not be as traditional as your favorite roasted one, but it’s juicy and delicious, and it fits in with all the traditional Thanksgiving fare perfectly, livening up your table and giving those relatives something to talk about. One of my favorite movies of all time is Jodie Foster’s Home for the Holidays. Maybe it’s the dysfunction that it portrays that makes me feel at home. (Snicker) Still, it’s the feeling... more

I woke up with a migraine yesterday. I have to say that after this odd three-week hiatus (unheard of if you’re me), I particularly resented this one. It was just there. No usual phantom warning, flecks of light, odd pain elsewhere. There. Pounding at my eyelids and making it impossible for me to feel like dragging myself out of bed when my alarm went off at 5:45 in the morning, even though it had to happen. I think the fact that I’d been oddly migraine-free for about three weeks... more

Maybe you’ve already purchased another turkey and stored it in your freezer. If not, I want to convince you to go out and buy one this week at a discounted price. Just because you had your fill on roast turkey and mashed potatoes doesn’t mean you have to pass on that incredible deal at the local supermarket. This is the perfect time to stock your freezer full of last-minute meals, soups and casseroles that taste nothing like the Thanksgiving meal from last Thursday. Green bean casserole... more

Even if I may not be a casserole fan for 85 96.75 percent of the year, the cold weather has me craving creamy mushrooms and wild rice all baked together into a belly-warming dish of deliciousness. I hope you’ll forgive me, but I’m going to talk about them (the mushrooms and rice) twice before I’m done. Here and again as a soup soon after. The casserole starts with white rice and boiling water and a bit of white wine. I start with mini portabellas, and I couldn’t pass up... more

Remember the scene in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation where the turkey comes to the table, browned and glorious, and then as Clark goes to carve it the whole thing deflates? Here, let me refresh your memory. This doesn’t have to be you. Roasting a turkey can be easy, and it doesn’t take as long as you think. This is a no-fuss, surefire way to get a perfect holiday turkey. Of course, for inspiration, I looked to Ina. When in doubt, look to Ina. Hungry? Ina. Confused?... more

The other week we had purchased these turkey cutlets on a whim. Outside of Thanksgiving and Christmas, we don’t really cook much with turkey. And a turkey cutlet at that. A breast or a whole bird I can handle, but a cutlet? Feeling uninspired, I turned to the Google to answer my cries for help and the L.A. Times answered. While all of their suggestions sound delicious, I could only pick one. This is that one. Kidney Bean was there, as he so often is, eating a snack while his parents prepare... more