A twelve-pound turkey rubbed with citrus-fennel butter under the skin and roasted until golden, served with a rich Marsala wine gravy. The centerpiece of a thankful family gathering, delivering juicy, aromatic meat with every slice.

A complex mole sauce built from ancho and pasilla chiles, almonds, pepitas, Mexican chocolate, raisins, chipotles, and warm spices is slow-cooked with chicken for four hours and served with a bright radish salad and charred tortillas. This rich, deeply layered mole showcases the depth of Mexican cuisine and lets the slow cooker do the patient work of melding dozens of ingredients into one extraordinary sauce.

This is a mid-week can't miss meal features a Valerie fave ingredient, chicken thighs, and transforms them into the most delectable Chicken Parm you'll ever eat.

Cream cheese, spinach, and lump crabmeat are seasoned with Worcestershire, dry mustard, paprika, and cayenne, topped with panko breadcrumbs, and baked until golden and bubbling. This rich, savory dip is an irresistible crowd-pleaser that disappears fast at any dinner party or gathering.

Fresh corn and cauliflower florets sauteed in a homemade bourbon-infused butter. A unique side dish that bridges Italian and Southern cooking.

A hearty hash made with leftover slow-cooked beef and crispy Yukon gold potatoes. The perfect way to repurpose game day leftovers into a satisfying meal.

Boiled sweet potato wedges seasoned with chili powder and grilled until beautifully charred. A smoky, slightly sweet side dish that rounds out a summer grilling menu with ease.

Flourless muffins made with just mashed bananas, eggs, vanilla, and cherries for a naturally gluten-free, low-calorie treat. A wholesome, clean-eating breakfast that proves healthy baking can still be delicious and satisfying.

Peach iced tea and fresh lemonade stirred together and topped off with a light lager beer for a fizzy, Southern-inspired shandy. An easy, refreshing tailgate sipper that keeps the whole crew cool through the fourth quarter.