Blog Posts by Martha Stewart

Making piecrust can leave a cook feeling like a magician. Combine flour, water, and butter with just a bit of sugar and salt and -- presto! -- the result is a tender, flaky pastry that elevates just about any filling. The trick, of course, is in the method -- a simple but precise series of steps that, through baking thousands of pies, our test-kitchen staff has trial-and-errored down to a science.

These eight tips, covering everything from how to defrost a turkey to what to make with leftovers, will ensure that your Thanksgiving dinner goes off without a hitch (or at least comes close).

Choose the right size bird1) Choosing the Right Size Turkey
For a large party, you'll need a big bird -- say, 15 to 20 pounds; figure 1 1/2 pounds for each person. Smaller birds -- 12 pounds or less -- have a smaller meat-to-bone ratio, so allow 2 pounds per person. Remember that the larger the bird, the more likely you are to have leftovers for the next few days.

Plus: 36 Delicious Turkey Recipes

Defrosting frozen turkey2) Defrosting Frozen Turkey
It is best to thaw turkey in the refrigerator, where it's too cold for harmful bacteria to grow. Use the bottom shelf, in case of drips. Place the turkey, breast side up, in its original wrapper, onto a rimmed baking sheet. Plan ahead to allow a full day for every 4 pounds of turkey being thawed.

Cleaning the bird3) Cleaning the Turkey
When you bring a fresh turkey home or thaw

Read More »from 8 Steps to Pulling Off a Perfect Thanksgiving Dinner

If Pinterest were a place, it would be a wonderland of ombre decor, chalkboard menus, and bunting flags (Pinterestlandia!). And here's what your holiday table would look like if you made only our most-pinned Thanksgiving recipes:

Apple Cinnamon Rum
Drink: Apple Cinnamon Rum
A spicy-sweet autumnal cocktail to kick-off the feast. The recipe has been re-pinned over 400 times!
















Starter: Baked Brie with Pecans Starter: Baked Brie with Pecans
Creamy Brie with toasted pecans and maple syrup gets stomachs growling.

Plus: 25 Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Recipes
















Roasted-Pumpkin SoupFirst Course: Roasted-Pumpkin Soup
Butternut squash works, too, in this simple, healthy starter.


















Muffin-Pan Potato GratinsSide Dish: Muffin-Pan Potato Gratins
Who can turn down these portioned piles?


















Roasted Cabbage WedgesSide Dish: Roasted Cabbage Wedges
Out with the old (green beans) and in with the new (cabbage wedges), which were re-pinned over 550 times.


















Roasted Sweet PotatoesSide Dish: Old Bay-Roasted Sweet Potatoes
The natural sugars caramelize, giving each bite a smoky sweetness.

















Roasted Spaghetti Squash with HerbsSide Dish: Roasted Spaghetti Squash with Herbs
Toss with brown

Read More »from If Pinterest Planned Thanksgiving Dinner…

With multiple appetizers, an epic array of side dishes, and an assortment of pies to prepare -- not to mention the great big bird at the center of the table -- making Thanksgiving dinner can be overwhelming to even the most seasoned cooks. That's why we like to make as many dishes ahead of time as we possibly can. Here are our best make-ahead recipes for appetizers, side dishes, and desserts so you can have more time to enjoy your guests on Thanksgiving Day.

Read More »from 10 Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Recipes

Five and a half pounds of three kinds of apples go inside a flaky, buttery pate-brisee crust to make one showstopping pie.

• Makes one 9-inch pie

Ingredients
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
• Deep-Dish Pate Brisee or store bought pie crust, dividied into two pieces, one larger for covering the pie.
• 5 1/2 pounds firm tart apples (about 14), such as Empire or Granny Smith
• Juice of 2 lemons
• 1 cup sugar, plus more for sprinkling
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 3 tablespoons chilled unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• 1 large egg yolk

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out a smaller piece of pate brisee into a 15-inch round about 1/8-inch thick, dusting surface with flour to prevent sticking, as needed. Brush off excess flour. Roll dough around rolling pin, and place over a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate. Line plate with dough, pressing it into the corners. Trim dough to within 1

Read More »from Mile-High Apple Pie

These veggie-filled recipes are loaded with nutrients and are baked instead of fried.

Coconut Chips
Coconut Chips

Ingredients
1 coconut
Coarse salt
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Test each of the three eyes at the stem end of the coconut to see which is the softest. Then use an ice pick (or a screwdriver) and a hammer to pierce two of the eyes. Strain water through a fine sieve into a bowl; reserve for another use or discard.
Place coconut on a rimmed baking sheet; bake for 30 minutes, or until coconut shell begins to crack. Set aside until cool enough to handle.
Wrap coconut in a clean kitchen towel; holding coconut with one hand, hit it with a hammer in the same place several times to crack the outer shell and split the coconut into several large pieces.
Separate coconut flesh from shell, and use a vegetable peeler to remove the dark outer skin, if desired. Rinse and dry coconut. Using a mandoline or a vegetable peeler, remove strips from edges.
Divide coconut strips Read More »from 6 Healthier Alternatives to Potato Chips

The editors of Martha Stewart Living in their school photos.
Above, the editors of Martha Stewart Living in their school pictures
We all remember school yearbook pictures from our childhood: the good, bad, and the Holly Hobbie-meets-Pippi Longstocking hairstyles. Since our own kids' school pictures are just around the corner, we turned to photographer (and child portrait expert) Karen Forsyth of Tallulah Lane photography for a few tips.

Should you let her wear a princess outfit or try to coax her toward trendy Breton stripes? How do you encourage the sweetest toothless grin? Find out.

Stick to Classics (with a Twist)
Says Forsyth: "If they aren't comfortable, then nobody's comfortable and the yearbook photo is in serious jeopardy of even having a shot (no pun intended). Kids want to express themselves, and they should. Parents want a great photo. So, how about a compromise? A soft-wash plaid shirt for boys can be new and edgy in a hip color scheme like blue and vivid orange (and here, sleeve rolling is cool). For girls a

Read More »from How to Take an Adorable School Photo

Each of these recipes uses a different style of beer to create a warming fall recipe everyone can enjoy.



30-Minute Chili

Prep Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Serves 8

Ingredients
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
3 medium onions, chopped
6 garlic cloves, chopped
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
3 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons chopped canned chipotle chiles in adobo sauce
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 pounds ground beef chuck
3 cans (14.5 ounces each) diced tomatoes in juice
1 bottle (12 ounces) mild lager beer
2 cans (14.5 ounces each) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
Shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

1. In a Dutch oven or large (5-quart) heavy pot, heat oil over medium-high. Add onions and garlic. Season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 3 to 5 minutes.

2. Add tomato paste, chili powder, chipotles, and cinnamon.

Read More »from 4 Ways to Cook with Beer