If you avoid the traditional Thanksgiving dishes because you feel it take too much work but your family request a roasted turkey, you will be pleased to know that Gourmet found a no-fuss way to cook a golden-brown skin turkey with moist, tender white and dark meat. Simply seasoned the turkey with salt and pepper, then roasted in a 450ºF oven. In their own word, the Gourmet expert said: no need for butter under the skin, no basting, no foil tent, just blasted. With the high-heat cooking method, it takes between 1 3/4 to 2 1/2 hours for a 14- to 16-pound bird. This may be enough incentive for roasting a turkey this holiday, if only making a good gravy was that simple.

Generally speaking, an unstuffed turkey baked quicker than a stuffed turkey. Note that the time difference will be smaller with the high-heat method. Get all the details on Gourmet. One last thing, if you ever wish to invite me for a Thanksgiving dinner or a traditional Christmas dinner, do not try to impress me with the stuffing, I do not eat it. But I will pour more gravy and try your cranberry sauce.

+ photo: Gourmet

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In case you are looking for more inspirations on what to serve at your Halloween party.

+ This Pumpkin Soup in a small pumpkin bowl is elegant. You could recycle the idea for Thanksgiving. Via Noob Cook.

+ Devilled egss are back in vogue. The Spooky spider eggs are a cute adaptation of the classic. The decoration is super fun. Via Sunset magazine

+ Start making the Cinnamon Pumpkin Seed Brittle at least 70 minutes before serving as you need to allow a cooling period. Via Sunset magazine

+ Plan an hour to make 30 Cheddar Witch’s Fingers. Except for one person, everyone who tried the recipes said it was a success. Via Sunset magazine

Even if you don’t host a party, you could serve any of these recipes to your family tomorrow for Halloween. They would thank you for that special attention.

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Photographer Meg Baisden already hosted her Halloween party. And what a fabulous party it was! Her Halloween decorations were fun, festive and so sophisticated. It has just the right amount of glitter to suit an evening event.

You can add glitter to any objects. This allow you to buy less expensive props knowing that you can upgrade their look. It can be messy, so choose the right spot in your home.

The event was planned by Meg and her employee Jamie. I like how they integrated Meg’s home decor into their festive decor. When you host a party at home, it is an important consideration. By making them a part of your party decor, you send a warmer welcoming message to your guests. This is not always possible to accomplish. The easiest way is to consider the style of your home decor before planning your party theme and decorations.

Since they are professional photographer, it comes to no surprises that the pictures they took of the decor and the food are stunning. Since I envy the quality of her party photos, I feel inclined to mention it anyway.

MORE:
+ photos by Meg Baisden Photography

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Another proof that Halloween is influencing the market at all levels is the wine business. Really, one key difference between the wineries in the United States and the wine makers in Europe is that the American wine makers explore other avenues than the wine connoisseur language. Let’s face it, when I host a party I am looking for a wine in the $13 to $20 price range to serve my guests. I go for a crowd pleasing wine in red and in white.

Going back to Halloween, vampires are in. There are many TV series and movies on vampires. In fact, we almost selected True Blood as the theme for my husband birthday party (more on that, later). It is sad that at the time, I did not know that I could have ordered a True Blood wine from Vampire Vineyards. Although $30 is too much to serve at a 35-guest party, I might have bought 2 or 3 bottles as a display.

Vampire Vineyards produces several wines with names that scream Halloween. You can choose between Vampire, Chateau du Vampire (Vampire Castle) and Dracula. The advantages with these is that you do not have to made your own wine label. Hopefully for us, that line ranges from $9.99 to $19.99.

For more ideas, check out The Kitchn. They dug more spooky labels and scary names wines for us.

SOURCING:
+ TrueBlood Napa Valley Syrah $29.95 USD
+  Vampire Wines at Wicked Wines

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The partner of food blogger Matt Armendariz of Mattbites made the most stylish candied apples I have ever seen. Matt qualified the result as pure magic and he is right.

While you get the recipe take the time to check the beautiful still life picture he made with black wine goblet from Juliska that I introduced last year.

+ Adam’s Scary Apples on Mattbites
+ via Totally Tabletops

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Here are two super affordable ideas to show creativity on your Thanksgiving tabletop without breaking the bank. At Bistro Chez Roger in Montreal, they use a 12-inch bread pan to serve bread. A clothespin becomes a casual napkin ring. So after the party, you are not stuck with 20 napkins rings that you will never use again.

Plus, using everyday housewares will leave you more money to make sure everyone has the same glasses, plates and flatware.

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If you feel like baking for Halloween, have a look at those superb creations that are sure to bring Ahhhh! from kids and grown ups.

The talented Bakerella did:

+ The Spider Cookies with Trix and a Betty Crocker Double Chocolate Chunk Cookie Mix
+ The Spider Brownies with licorice wheels and raspberry and blackberry gumdrops

If you rush in time or just starting doing cupcake decorations, try the Spider Cupcakes by Paris Pastry. They are not complicated to make. Use black or brown paper wrappers for a scarier look.

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If you are looking for eye catching ideas to dress up your Halloween tabletop or buffet table, you must check these 3 craft projects realized by Eddie Ross. The guy is impressive when it comes to styling. The experience he acquired working for Martha Stewart serves him well. His craft project explanations are simple and easy to follow.

I browsed all the posts Eddie Ross for Halloween. These are the cream of the cream as far as I am concerned.

1. Sinister Centerpiece

The sinister centerpiece is the focal point of this elegant Halloween table. Attention to details adds to the theatrical feel. I love it. Besides the skull centerpiece, the rest of tabletop should take no time to assemble. All you need is spiders from the toys store and to secure a ribbon border on solid grey table runners or tête à tête.

2. Spider Web Doilies

The spider web doilies fit as well in a kids party or an event for grown ups. Make them in several sizes to fit the container that you will put on top. Get the instructions on how to make your own glittered spider web doilies on Eddie Ross.

3. Batkin Rings

The simple Batkin Rings are hand cut with black felt. We seen it before with Martha Stewart Halloween scenes, but I never get tired of small branches used as sticks for caramel apples. The glass black platter is one of several black glass tableware pieces that you can find at Eddie’s etsy shop.

MORE:
+ Sinister centerpiece craft project
+ Spider web doilies craft project
+ Batkin Rings craft project
+ Halloween party
+ Glass black platter $45 USD on etsy
+ photos via Eddie Ross

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I told you Friday that Halloween 2009 was about style. Home Sense did a table with skull and crossbone motifs that feel glitzy versus ghoulish. In fact, some of the items of the table, like the mirrored tray, could be used for New Year’s day. And to get this look will not make a huge hole on your budget.

Silver accessories are what bring style to this buffet table. It is time to bring back the inexpensive black wine glasses that were popular last decade. The damask and spider web print serverware is awesome and affordable.

If there is no Home Sense near you, capture the essence and try to find similar objects to design your own table. Check out the Eat, Drink and Be scary suggestions. You will find ideas for grown ups, kids and pumpkin carving templates.

SOURCING (no links since their catalog is not online):
+ Cobweb and damask print melamine serveware $4.99 – $19.99 CAD
+ Candelabra pillar candle $7.99 CAD
+ Black glass votives with skull detail $6.99  for 3
+ Skeleton hand napkin holder $9.99
+ Skeleton serving bowls small $6.99, large $9.99

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I scheduled brand new Halloween party mood boards for next week. But, in the meantime, have a look at what is still great ideas from previous Halloween. You could reinvent these ideas and use them as your starting point. I like those because:

+ It provides a warm welcoming with Bag-O-Lanterns. Find your own templates and you can craft the lanterns to fit any theme. Remember to use battery-operated lights, for safety reasons.

+ You can recycle these ideas for some many themes from the hospital to the obsessions. And it is super easy to make your own Candy favors in pill bottles. Simply glue a prescription tag to each bottle.

+ A Victorian Gothic feast is always fashionable. Plus, Halloween takes the stylish path instead of the scary road this year. You will see what I mean next week.

+ A Murder Mystery Halloween Party can lead to a fun game night.

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Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving today. I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving! If you are looking for very last-minute ideas for spruce up your table, go in your backyard or hurry to the market and use what Mother Nature provides this season.

You can check my glamorous tabletop suggestions on HGTV.ca or get inspired by a sample of their TV hosts. If you are still looking for ideas for your side dishes, check out 10 ways you can serve potatoes.

+ photo: Thanksgiving Tips from HGTV

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I composed this menu for people who are tired of eating roasted turkey at Thanksgiving. Instead, I favor dishes that I associate with a family dinner. This is simple menu suitable for autumn without going to the obvious pumpkins and root vegetable recipes.

+ The meal starts with a Rustic Mushroom and Cream Cheese Tart that you could serve in the living room with a nice red wine. It is the right time to catch up on what happening with everyone. Via Ginger Rose.

+ Once you move to the dining table, serve a Potato and Leek Soup with a warm rustic bread. You can try to bake a no-knead bread. Via Food Network.

+ The movie Julie and Julia certainly revived the Boeuf Bourguignon. I could not be happier since a boeuf bourguignon is an practical main dish to serve a large crowd. Via She Eat Bears.

+ Try the Green Bean Salad with Roasted Almonds and Shallot Dressing as a side dish. Via Our Chocolate Shavings.

+ For dessert, make the Toffee Apple Upside Down Cake that I saw on Inn Cuisine

More Thanksgiving Menu Ideas

If this menu does not inspire you, check out my previous Thanksgiving menu suggestions.

• Menu and inspirations for a Thanksgiving dinner party
• 2007 Thanksgiving Menu
• Thanksgiving Menu and Tabletop Ideas
• Side Dish Recipes for Thanksgiving
• Back to Basics Thanksgiving Menu

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