We spend so much time in November thinking about and preparing for Thanksgiving, Diwali, and the December holidays that you could almost forget that there are plenty of regular days in between. Our test kitchen cooks and food editors didn't forget, and came up with lots of options to make even weekdays delicious. At a time of the year with so much rich food, we like to start the day with a bowl of muesli, the beloved Swedish breakfast. We made good use of canned pumpkin for two quick weeknight dinners, a creamy pumpkin pasta tossed with bacon and scented with rosemary, and a curry augmented with canned chickpeas and coconut milk. We whipped up special treats for co*cktail and dinner parties, like chicken samosas, cornflake-crusted fried chicken drumettes, and baked Brie in a bread bowl. And while our Thanksgiving was full of pie, we found room on other days for another family favorite sweet: chocolate frosted cake cookies. Check out all the best recipes we tested and released in the last month.
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Chicken Samosas
Garam masala-spiced chicken is the star of this classic samosa recipe from star chef Vijay Kumar.
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Panko-Crusted Salmon
Served with roasted lemon halves and fresh thyme, this cracker-covered salmon fillet is easy to make with an oven-to-table presentation that’s worthy of a special occasion.
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Chocolate Frosted Cake Cookies
These soft, cakey cookies are topped with a buttery chocolate frosting, making each one like a piece of cake.
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Fennel Gratin
The sweet, anise-like flavor of fennel mellows as it bakes in this rich and creamy gratin.
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Orecchiette with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe
With sweet-spicy Italian sausage and bitter broccoli rabe amplified by a lot of garlic, a handful of grated or shaved Parmesan, and a healthy pinch of crushed red pepper flakes, this hearty pasta from Puglia is one of our favorite quick weeknight meals.
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Crown Roast of Lamb
This dramatic roast from the show Lessons in Chemistry is served with tender rice spiced with cumin and turmeric and studded with almonds, raisins, and currants.
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Apple Cider Margarita
Apples and tequila might sound like an odd couple, but trust us, they’re the dynamic duo your taste buds never knew they needed.
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Cha Kroeung
This Khmer chicken stir-fry from New Orleans chef Sophina Uong is spiced with lemongrass, chiles, and fish sauce, and comes together in minutes.
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Candied Chayote
Chayote squash is poached with cinnamon, anise, and orange in this Mexican-inspired dessert from 2022 Best New Chef Ana Castro. Labneh lends the perfect creamy dollop to finish it off.
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Italian Rainbow Cookies
Whether you call them rainbow cookies, Neapolitan cookies, or tricolore cookies, we think you’ll agree that they make any cookie table special.
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Creamy Pumpkin Pasta
Make the ultimate fall pasta with this creamy, smoky, rosemary-scented pumpkin sauce that is ready in just a few minutes. Frying rosemary leaves in bacon fat is just the right extra touch.
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Espresso Corretto Martini
Tequila and coffee liqueur give an extra kick to this Italian-inspired take on an Espresso Martini.
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Muesli
Add crunch to your morning yogurt bowl with this Swiss breakfast tradition that includes oats, nuts, and apples.
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Petite Beef Wellington
Crackling puff pastry and earthy mushroom duxelles enclose juicy roast beef in Sean Brock's mini beef Wellington.
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Cornflake-Crusted Oven-Fried Chicken Drummettes
This super crispy on the outside, moist and juicy on the inside fried chicken is a classier eating affair than most. The bone of meaty chicken wing drumettes creates a playful, lollipop-like handheld appetizer. The hot honey that accompanies the drumettes is not too spicy but adds a little heat and sweetness that work so well with the chicken.
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Frozen Citrus Soufflé
Silky lemon custard is layered with orange zest–infused whipped cream and tangy lemon curd in this whimsical no-bake soufflé from pastry chef Michael Werrell of Audrey in Nashville.
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Baked Brie in a Bread Bowl
Melty baked Brie is even better when it’s swirled with fig jam and capers and baked in a bread bowl.
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Stollen
Make this rum-scented German Christmas bread up to two weeks before you want to serve and eat it.
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Coconut Pumpkin Chicken Curry
Canned pumpkin, chickpeas, and coconut milk make this rich, complex curry one that is easy to whip up in less than an hour.
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Mint Cobbler
The Cobbler was a fashionable drink in the 19th century, consisting of justsherry, crushed fruit, sugar, and lots of ice. Mint leaves, Amontillado sherry, and orange make this an especially simple and refreshing drink.
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Rack of Pork with Cider-Pepper Glaze
This centerpiece-worthy succulent roast rack of pork from the late acclaimed chef Patrick Clark is coated in garlicky herbs and a glossy apple-forward glaze. The pork is tender and juicy, while the gravy made from the pork drippings has a wonderful balance of acidity, sweetness, and fat in it.
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