Food, Glorious Food

Special TV12 programs help home chefs master a Thanksgiving meal

By Mary Eileen O'Connor

Dry turkey. Lumpy mashed potatoes. Cranberry sauce from a can. If the thought of preparing a meal people look forward to all year long fills you with dread, have no fear! On Saturday, November 20, WHYY presents an afternoon of recipes and tips from some of the country's best chefs that are sure to help home cooks make a Thanksgiving feast their family will gobble up. We've even provided the recipes for two of these tasty dishes! After you've planned your Thanksgiving menu, take some time out to enjoy a musical celebration of America's diversity on The Lawrence Welk Show.

Flavors of America with Chef Jim Coleman "Thanksgiving" Chef Jim Coleman offers his helpful hints as he prepares a Thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings. 1 p.m.

For even more holiday cooking advice from Jim Coleman, listen to a special Thanksgiving edition of
A Chef's Table on Wednesday, November 24 at
2 p.m. on WHYY 91FM (90.9).

Christina Cooks "Thanksgiving in June" Turkey might be the mainstay of most holiday tables, but Chef Christina Pirello proves that it is possible to have a meatless Thanksgiving dinner. Christina takes a lighthearted approach as she shows viewers what a whole-foods holiday meal looks like. 1:30 p.m.

Jacques Pépin Celebrates! "Thanksgiving Celebration" Jacques and his daughter Claudine prepare a Thanksgiving feast of buttery Bread and Mushroom Stuffing, a Gratin of Butternut Squash, Spicy Cherry-Ginger Chutney and two sensational autumn desserts, then gather around the table with family and friends. 2 p.m .

New Jewish Cuisine "Thanksgiving" Chef Jeffery Nathan puts his special twist on the Thanksgiving meal as he makes Potato Bisque with Pastrami Cracklings; Sweet Potato/Apple Casserole; and a Roast Turkey with Mushroom Stuffing. 3 p.m.

America's Test Kitchen "Thanksgiving III"
Chris Kimball and the Test Kitchen staff liven up the traditional holiday meal by making a grill-roasted turkey, mashed sweet potatoes and a special Cranberry Sauce with Pears and Fresh Ginger. Chris visits the "Equipment Corner" to find out which potato masher makes the job the easiest, and heads to the "Tasting Lab" to sample different varieties of sweet potatoes to determine which ones have the best flavor. 3:30 p.m.

Ciao Italia "Thanksgiving Dinner" Host Mary Ann Esposito visits her friend, Lee Esposito (no relation), at Esposito's Meat Market in South Philadelphia to pick up a turkey breast, and then goes nella cucina to stuff it with chestnuts, Parmesan cheese, prosciutto and fresh breadcrumbs for a succulent main course. 4 p.m.

Seasonings with Dede Wilson: Cooking and Entertaining for Special Occasions "Thanksgiving Sides" Diane Morgan, author of The Thanksgiving Table, joins Dede Wilson in the kitchen to help her prepare some flavorful side dishes, including Cheddar and Jalapeno Corn Bread Stuffing and Praline Sweet Potato Casserole, which can be made the day ahead. 4:30 p.m.

The Lawrence Welk Show "America, The Melting Pot (Thanksgiving)" Clay and Sally Hart host this special tribute to the native countries of the many immigrants who have settled in the United States. Clay salutes Australia with his rendition of "Waltzing Matilda;" Ken Delo performs an English music hall version of "I've Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts;" and Dick Dale sings the classic German song, "Du Du Liegst Mir." 7 p.m.