SERVES 6 – 8

This year, surprise your Thanksgiving guests with elegant variations on the traditional autumnal feast. After eating your mussel and pumpkin soup or turkey with truffle butter, they'll be wondering why you haven't toyed with tradition sooner.

	Light Mussel and Pumpkin Soup Don't try to make this elegant soup with Halloween pumpkins. Try try kabocha squash, Cinderella, or cheese pumpkins.
	Roast Turkey with Madeira Truffle Butter The tried-and-true Thanksgiving bird provides a feast for family and friends alike.
	Mushroom Stuffing This stuffing, adapted from Joe's Book of Mushroom Cookery (Atheneum, 1986), is best cooked separately, rather than inside the bird.
	Sweet Potato Tipsy This is our adaptation of a Louisiana family recipe from How America Eats, by Clementine Paddleford, (Scribner,N.Y.,1960).
	Sautéed Brussels Sprouts with Pecans These buttery, nutty vegetables are the perfect autumn side dish.
	Lemon Marmalade Cranberry Sauce A slightly sweeter variation of this cranberry sauce can be done by substituting dried pitted cherries for the lemon marmalade.
	Pear Tarte Tatin Autumn-ripe pears create a tasty twist on this classic French dessert.