Michael Graydon Nikole Herriott

Anchor these in short vases filled with granulated sugar and win sweetest decor award.

Everyone loves brittle, and most people are happy to avoid the holiday shopping crowds, which is why homemade presents like this rule. Learn how to make brittle in this video.

Candied herbs, edible dried flowers, and freeze-dried berries are beautiful decorations for these iced cookie wreaths.

Powdered green tea gives these tender cookies an elf-worthy hue that will stand out, with no icing or decorating needed.

The exceptional texture and glossy sheen of this fudge result from the way you mix it. Make sure the chocolate and condensed milk are barely hot.

Drying the cooked potatoes in the pan means that they'll absorb that much more flavor from your herb-infused dairy. Don't skip this step!

You can also bake this candy bar of a tart in an 8x8" pan, but whatever you do, toast those nuts.

Massaging the dressing into the kale with your hands helps break down some of the fibers so the greens are more tender.

When is it done? Try this test: When the liquid has reduced by two-thirds, drop a spoonful onto a chilled plate and drag your finger through; if the jelly holds a trail that doesn't fill back in, it's ready. Learn more in this video.

Silky, with a texture somewhere between pudding and panna cotta—and no water bath required.

Warm spices and sweet dried fruit are a perfect pair for rich turkey meat.

Flip the script on a winter vegetable that’s usually stewed: Collards are great when briefly sautéed.

Choose a country-style sourdough, preferably not too tangy, and if you prefer hot Italian links, go for it. Learn how to make this stuffing in this video.

This laid-back apple galette got a standing ovation during tastings, thanks to its crisp crust and the ideal sweet-salty balance.

Swap in veggie stock and make all your vegetarian relations happy.

Tart, sour, and just as refreshing as ye olde cranberry sauce.

Prettiest when not piled too high; divide the salad over two platters and put one at each end of the table.

While the turkey roasts, it releases tons of concentrated flavor into the pan—this is where the gravy takes on another dimension. As the bird rests, set the pan on your stovetop, roll up your sleeves, and get to work. Watch this video for more.

Vibrant greens, handfuls of fresh herbs, nuts for crunch, and horseradish for bite. Ingredients are suggestions; feel free to mix it up.

A colorful and spicy (but not fiery!) side breaks up all the heavy, rich dishes on the table.