Gourmet

Right now it seems as if every chef is looking to the South for inspiration. So why not take a tip from the likes of Alton Brown and John Besh and serve a Thanksgiving meal that oozes with Southern charm? Plan a dinner that highlights simple and delicious cooking. Start with an unfussy roast turkey recipe that's seasoned with lots of salt and pepper and served with a rich turkey gravy.

Keep things uncomplicated and bake an oyster dressing with bacon and hot sauce outside of the bird. It's spicy, bready, and deliciously briny. Whip up a batch of mashed potatoes loaded with sour cream and white cheddar cheese. Finally, round out the menu with a bourbon-cranberry compote. It's the perfect sweet-tart accompaniment to succulent turkey. To be inspired by this collection of curated recipes, keep reading.

Although I'm not of Italian descent, I think pasta is one of the most comforting dishes out there. After a long weekday, there's nothing like coming home to a steaming bowl of luscious noodles in a rich and flavorful sauce.

My favorite pasta of all time could very well be this creamy sun-dried tomato and bacon spaghetti. I've made it a million times and never tire of the combination of salty pork with sweet tomatoes.

It's decadent but not over the top, and it's quick but sophisticated enough to serve guests. It's also versatile: kids love it, men love it, probably the only people who won't be impressed with this pasta are vegetarians. I highly recommend this recipe: learn the easy technique here.

Empanadas would make the ideal stranded-on-a-desert-island staple. They freeze well, are great for using up leftovers, and are as suited to the beginner as they are the expert. But best of all, they can be filled with just about anything, so they shouldn't be overlooked as both a convenient finger food and an unexpected dessert.Make the cleanup easier than ever for your next fiesta by serving up fried beef-and-egg empanadas to whet your guests' appetites — then creating a baked banana version to close out the night. There'll be no forks or spoons necessary! Want either (or both) recipes? Just read more.

After making a savory version of French toast topped with tomato jam last weekend, it occurred to me that, when preserved, tomatoes are well-suited for both sweet and savory applications, too. Tomatoes are technically fruit, and when they're ripe they possess a level of sweetness that rivals a sassy nectarine. This means the seedy red rounds are ideal contenders for a traditional fruit jam style, spread atop bread or toast. But unlike most fruits, tomatoes also register high in glutamic acid, an umami provider that contributes to a savory, rounded flavor — so they're just as dreamy when reduced to peppery, vinegar-tinged preserves, then served atop meat roasts or crackers.

Make the most of the tapering tomato supply by preparing either — or both — jams when you read more.

Did you know that September is All-American Breakfast Month? I thought that title was awarded to every month out of the year, but that's probably because I'm breakfast and brunch's biggest fan. The beauty of breakfast's most popular dishes is that many of them, like french toast, only require the most basic of ingredients.

Got bread and eggs? Then you can make a sweet, syrup-baked breakfast on Saturday morning . . . and use the day-old bread to prepare a savory, peppery toast on Sunday. Enhance the flavor of Sunday's version with a topping of tomato jam, olive tapenade, or — my suggestion — caramelized onion and bacon jam. Get your weekend off to the right start when you read more.

I've never met a sangria I didn't like, and this blushing variation with Rosé and raspberries is absolutely delightful. It's the ideal sort of drink to enjoy with salty nibbles while watching a late Summer sunset. Some tips: Be sure to make in advance, as this will give the ingredients time to meld. Don't skip the creme de cassis; it really develops the flavor of the berries and Rosé. Ask your local wine shop owner for the driest Rosé, otherwise the sangria will end up too sweet. You'll love sipping this pretty pink concoction, so get the recipe after the jump.

While on the island of Maui, I took full advantage of the fact that papayas were local and in season. One morning, I enjoyed the melonlike fruit for breakfast in a straightforward tropical medley, with other South Pacific favorites like passionfruit and starfruit; now, I'm longing to dress it up slightly, perhaps with some cacao nibs and hazelnuts for crunch.

The fruit could've just as easily been shaved or shredded into a savory Southeast Asian salad. Much like mangoes, the papaya can be enjoyed unripe, and adds crunch and sweetness in a toss with fish sauce, dried shrimp, and garlic in the Thai salad known as som tam. Get the recipe for either when you read on.

Throwing a dinner party? Here's an easy way to kill two birds with one stone: make enough pizza dough the day before for both your appetizer and your dessert. Pizzas are great for sharing and are also super versatile — you can basically throw whatever you want on them. (If you want to make it really easy, you can get premade dough from a local pizzeria!)

For an app that's sure to be gone in minutes, try this savory grilled version with caramelized onions, and gorgonzola, and for a sweet ending, this chocolate and hazelnut dessert is a "pizza pie" to make!

Keep reading for the two tasty recipes.

This morning, Condé Nast announced a new series of special issues of the now-defunct Gourmet magazine. Quite simply, the three "limited edition" mags will be a compilation of recipes pulled from the Gourmet archives.

The first to be released is Gourmet Quick Kitchen; it features 81 fast and easy recipes with new photos, tips, menu suggestions, and wine pairings. The 128-page tome will have no advertisements and was edited by a Gourmet editor, Kempe Minifie. The public will be able to pick up a copy of Gourmet Quick Kitchen for $10.99 at newsstands starting on September 7.

While I've definitely missed Gourmet, I'm not sure I see the point in the recipe booklets.

Aren't most of Gourmet's recipes online at Epicurious and Gourmet? Still, I'm sure I'll be checking it out. How about you? Would you buy a Gourmet magazine cookbook?

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For tonight's dinner, Mr. Yum has politely requested scallops, a shellfish option that often gets overlooked in favor of shrimp or fish. Since I haven't had much of a chance to grill shellfish this Summer, I'm throwing it on the barbecue to get a little practice.

Leaving scallops on heat for too long makes them shriveled and rubbery, so watch them closely, as they also cook rapidly. Serve them atop a bed of cilantro-specked white beans, with grilled scallions and zucchini on the side. Want the healthy recipe? Just read more.