Maybe you’re like us: Year after year, we tell ourselves that THIS Thanksgiving is going to be the simple one. Then, year after year, we find ourselves back in the kitchen, feeling way too stressed out while juggling 15 recipes for sides, salads, desserts, and of course, a massive turkey that refuses to finish cooking. Why do we do this to ourselves? And is there another way? Associate food editor Kendra Vaculin thinks there is, and she’s here this week, along with test kitchen director Chris Morocco, to talk through her super-simplified menu for this year’s feast, which you can find in the November issue of the magazine. Tune in for tips on maximizing oven space and hot takes on why no one needs a roasting pan. Plus, Chris makes the case for yet another “compelling and dynamic” salad.

Stuff we talk about in this episode: 

Bon Appétit’s Thanksgiving, Simplified Menu: https://www.bonappetit.com/gallery/thanksgiving-dinner-simplified

More on Cheryl Day’s Desserts : https://www.bonappetit.com/story/cheryl-day-southern-baking

Diana Yen’s Pumpkin-Tahini Mousse Pie recipe: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/pumpkin-tahini-mousse-pie

Kendra Vaculin’s Kale Salad With Pecan Vinaigrette recipe : https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/kale-salad-with-pecan-vinaigrette

Kendra Vaculin’s Green Beans and Mushrooms With Crispy Shallots recipe: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/green-beans-and-mushrooms-with-crispy-shallots

Kendra Vaculin’s Stuffing Biscuits recipe : https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/stuffing-biscuits

Kendra Vaculin’s Twice-Roasted Squash With Vanilla, Maple, and Chile recipe: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/twice-roasted-squash-with-vanilla-maple-and-chile

Kendra Vaculin’s Sheet-Pan Turkey and Gravy recipe: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/sheet-pan-turkey-and-gravy

Nordic Ware Half Sheet Pan: https://market.bonappetit.com/products/half-sheet-1

Nordic Ware Baking and Cooling Grid : https://market.bonappetit.com/products/large-baking-cooling-grid-1

Chris Morocco’s Burnished Potato Nuggets recipe: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/burnished-potato-nuggets

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices