A Thanksgiving Menu For Serious Foodies

Caramel-sauce-drizzled brie is supersimple to prepare but far from basic.

Nutty brown butter, tangy chevre, and woodsy sage add intrigue to a rustic mash.

Marshmallow-topped sweet potatoes may have their loyalists, but now is not the time to bust out that classic. Instead, serve up a side that's just sweet enough, like these whiskey-brown-sugar acorn squash rings.

Balsamic caramelized onions are all that farmers-market-fresh haricot verts need in the way of enhancement (well, aside from a pinch of salt and a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil).

Bacon, chestnuts, leeks, plenty of fresh herbs, and maple syrup ensure that this cornbread stuffing is unforgettable.

Southern food is continuing to have a moment throughout the country; tap into this by rubbing your bird with a bold mustard, paprika, and garlic paste and basting it with a bourbon-honey glaze. Make sure to reserve the turkey neck and giblets to make a simple stock; it takes gravy from good to great.

Caramelized onion cranberry sauce is about as far from the jiggly canned stuff as you can get.

Made with from-scratch turkey stock and plenty of cream, this pan gravy is simply superlative.

Even if there will be no vegetarians at your table, consider serving up this custardy pumpkin tian; it's a real showstopper both in appearance and taste.

Show off your pastry prowess by baking off a double-decker pumpkin pecan pie.

A slice of cranberry-swirled sticky gingerbread cake served with a dollop of billowing whipped cream is simply irresistible.