Changing gears for Turkey Day

After much lobbying by the 9-year-old, and with even more nagging from the 6-year-old sous chef, there will be a stuffed turkey at Chez Tutor tomorrow. I've never stuffed the turkey, being raised in the tradition that dressing baked in its own goodness was the proper way to do things.

However, a recent episode of The Barefoot Contessa featured a stuffed, trussed and roasted bird, and the two main turkey eaters in the house decided that's what we needed.

I'll still be putting the bird in to brine this afternoon. I'm going to use the savory stuffing recipe we ran in last Wendesday's Your Table for the filling. With any luck, the moisture from the brine and some oven love will turn out a fabulous holiday centerpiece.

Other things that the younguns decided we'll have: homemade cranberry sauce, peas, green beans, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, pecan pie, pumpkin pie, gravy and cornbread.

I won't have to cook for a week.