How Do I...

Know how big a turkey to buy?
To be generous, consider about 1 1/2 lbs. of turkey weight per person (you may still have leftovers, but that's the best part!).

Thaw a frozen turkey?
The safest method is to place the bird (in its packaging) on a tray in the refrigerator. But plan ahead -- you'll need about a day of thawing for every 4 lbs. of turkey.

Know when the turkey is done?
Check out butterball.com for a cheat sheet of approximate roasting times, and start checking for doneness half an hour before the recommended time. Your turkey is ready when a meat thermometer inserted into the thigh reads 180°F and the juices run clear when the thigh is pierced.

Get everything done at the same time with just one oven?
Consider all of your cooking equipment -- you could make stuffing in a slow cooker, bake bread sticks in the toaster oven and even cook the turkey on a gas or charcoal grill (choose a small 6- to 12-lb. bird for grilling; allow about 12 to 15 minutes of grilling per pound). Prepare side dishes, such as mashed potatoes, in advance, and reheat in the microwave.

Prevent my pumpkin pie from cracking in the middle?
Cracking is usually a result of overbaking. The filling should still be slightly wobbly in the center when you take the pie out of the oven -- it will set as it cools.

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