Review - How to Cook a Turkey and All the Other Trimmings

There are plenty of books and other resources that can tell you exactly how to roast a turkey and make any other dish you'd want for Thanksgiving dinner - so what's so special about this one? Several things.

The pictures.
Not just the gorgeous photos of finished dishes sitting in a golden light on a welcoming table, but the ones that show you the crucial steps in making gravy, brining a turkey, or making stuffing.
These are a gift to anyone whose English reading comprehension is imperfect, or who's never watched anyone cook a Thanksgiving dinner.
Sections with titles like "Gravy Math", "What Are Giblets Anyway?" and "Carving the Turkey Gracefully".
Not everyone learns these things in childhood, and this book informs you without implying that there was something wrong with your upbringing.
The old favorites, with titles like "Your Basic Stuffed Roast Turkey" and "Classic Roasted Potatoes".
The new twists, like cranberry-orange relish with ginger.
The tip boxes throughout the text.
The suggestions for what to do in case of "mishaps" like sticky mashed potatoes.
(Sprinkle them with breadcrumbs and maybe Parmesan cheese, bake till crunchy, hope no one notices.
)
The casual tone that reassures the cook about any imperfections in the dinner (see above).
The rightful attention given to dessert, which for many of us is just as important as the turkey.
"This is the holiday that celebrates abundance, right? So what better time to make more than one dessert?"
The leftover turkey recipes, which look even better than the dinner recipes.
The online videos mentioned on the front cover.

This book will help you plunge into your Thanksgiving preparations feeling good.
How to Cook a Turkey and All the Other Trimmings, by the editors and contributors of Fine Cooking, is available at amazon.
com.