We're Bringing the Turkey to The Communal Table: Thanksgiving Edition

By: Sarah De Heer

Related To:

the communal table

Thanksgiving: It's a holiday that requires a ton of preparation and can cause some stress, but in the end, we all love it and the memories make each moment worth it. Whether you have your recipes in order for the big day next week or you're looking for some inspiration, we thought we would share some of the best offerings out there.

In honor of Thanksgiving, we're kicking off the first annual Communal Table on Food Network, an event that we opened up to the entire food community. The response was outstanding -- it blew us away. Experts from the industry were excited to "pull up a chair" to our table and offer readers their favorite recipes for appetizers, sides, salads, breads, mains, desserts and cocktails.

alton brown good eats roast turkey

We've chosen to bring Alton's Good Eats Roast Turkey to the table — a foolproof recipe that both novices and pros alike love. Alton uses simple aromatics like apples, onions, cinnamon, rosemary and sage to make his turkey the star. How does he keep it so juicy? He brines it with a solution of salt, brown sugar, vegetable stock, allspice berries, peppercorns and candied ginger.

We didn't stop there. We've also asked our wine expert, Mark Oldman, to help pick the wines for the table. According to Mark, these three options would pair perfectly with Alton's famous turkey:

  • American Sparkling Wine: An appropriately American bubbly, zesty enough to stoke the appetite while the bird cooks, but rich and fruity enough to enjoy well into the meal
  • Pinot Gris from Oregon: Floral and peachy to harmonize with the bird’s ginger and apple accents, but clean and refreshing on the finish
  • Chinon from France: A slingshot of cherry-cranberry and earth, lithe and bright enough to invigorate the table, even during those last, belly-busting bites of bird

See what our friends are bringing to the table and tell us what you would bring to the table on Twitter by using the hashtag: #pullupachair.

Cocktails, Appetizers, Salads and Breads:
Big Girls Small Kitchen: Braided Biscuits

Mains:

Sides:
EatingWell: Green Bean Casserole
Diner's Journal: Fiery Sweet Potatoes
The Daily Meal: Bacon Brussels Sprouts
AP/ J.M. Hirsch: Ginger-Pear Cranberry Sauce

Desserts:

The Blender/ Williams-Sonoma: Deep-Dish Apple Bourbon Streusel Pie

Southern Living: Pumpkin-Pecan Cheesecake
Cooking Channel: Apple Bread Pudding

Next Up

The Best Wines to Pair with Thanksgiving Turkey

Our expert sommelier provides several affordable picks that’ll highlight your bird's beautiful roasted flavors.

Is White Meat Really the Healthiest Part of the Turkey?

Dark meat and giblets have more nutritional value than most folks give them credit for.

Thanksgiving Chicken Should Be Your New Main Course

Evoke the classic holiday flavor (and scent!) without tackling an entire turkey.

Everything You Need to Know About America's Favorite Canned Pumpkin

There's a reason everyone grabs Libby's for the holidays.

All the Ingredient Substitutions You Need for Thanksgiving

If something goes missing or a guest arrives with a last-minute request, don't panic. Here's how to substitute nearly every traditional Thanksgiving ingredient.

6 Ways to Turn Your Favorite Thanksgiving Pie into Cake

Now you can have your cake and eat pie too!

Food Network Magazine: November 2012 Recipe Index

143 recipes (plus 35 side dishes!), including make-ahead breads, 50 easy appetizers, and an Iron Chef-worthy Thanksgiving spread

All Your Thanksgiving Dinner Questions — Answered!

Got a burning (ha!) question as you're prepping for Turkey Day? Don't worry — our experts have fast solutions to every puzzler.

Get a Head Start on Thanksgiving Dinner: 5 Easy Recipes to Make the Day Before

From cranberries to stuffing, cut your cooking time in half on Thursday by crossing a few of these off your list by Wednesday (if not sooner).