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The seasons have turned, the leaves are falling and soon enough, we’ll be crammed around a dinner table making small talk with relatives we haven’t seen all year. The latter is reason enough to be stressed, so don’t let the cooking add to that. Our Thanksgiving guide offers recipes to ease your menu-planning worries. And we’ve got a guide to turkey trots and holiday lighting events in case you need something to do besides eat and nap.

WHAT TO COOK

Break Jennifer Bigg’s Ultimate Thanksgiving Turkey down before you cook it, and you can get it out of the oven in about an hour and a half. (Jennifer Biggs/The Daily Memphian file)

The turkey: This recipe from the late Jennifer Biggs will help you prioritize your time in the kitchen since most of the work can be done the day before Thanksgiving. Biggs provides detailed instructions for her Ultimate Thanksgiving Turkey, plus an instructional video that she recommends watching several times. She also includes her turkey gravy recipe that’ll make you forget giblet gravy ever existed. And if you do get stressed while making the turkey, heed this advice from Biggs: “Take your time and feel your way. Remember: It’s just a big chicken.”

Linda Joplin’s classic dressing recipe includes some boxed stuffing mix. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian file)

The dressing: Here in the South, we don’t eat stuffing; we eat dressing (or dressin’ if you will). Biggs said this recipe for Linda Joplin’s cornbread dressing is tried and true. You will need a box of stuffing mix for this, but don’t worry: The base is still heavier on cornbread.

The cranberry sauce: If you’ve only ever had canned cranberry sauce, stop that tradition right now and consult these two recipes from Biggs. Fresh cranberry sauce is so easy to make and about 500 times better than the congealed stuff from a can. This link includes a traditional cranberry relish and a cranberry and pear chutney in case you feel like mixing things up. 

LeTard’s pumpkin short rib chili recipe calls for a little sugar, but it’s more savory than sweet. (Courtesy Andrea LeTard)

The soup: If you typically serve a pre-dinner soup before the big feast, this Pumpkin Short Rib Chili from Andrea LeTard would be a great seasonal option. It’s loaded with pumpkin puree, short ribs and black beans so it’s on the heavier side, but a small cup before the meal would be a nice appetizer. And you may have leftovers to enjoy for the weekend.

Seessel’s chess pie is another favorite from the Seessel’s supermarket recipe vaults. (Getty Images)

The dessert: Forgo the pumpkin and pecan pies this year and make this buttery Seessel’s Chess Pie. If your family is from around here, they’ll no doubt be impressed that you managed to get the Seessel’s family recipe for this buttery sweet treat.

WHAT TO DO

Turkey Trails 5K and 10K at Overton Park, Sunday, Nov. 24:

This pre-Thanksgiving Day race is great for those who will be out of town on the big day. Finishers get a shirt and a spinning medal, plus you can pay a little extra for a swag pack with pie socks, a turkey leg headband and running gloves. Choose from 1 mile, 5K, 10K, a kids’ dash and a virtual race. 9 a.m. 1930 Poplar Ave. Learn more and register.

Memphis Turkey Trot at Shelby Farms Park, Thursday, Nov. 28:

Annual Thanksgiving Day race with an option for four miles or a two-mile relay. The top three male and female winners will receive a $50 Fleet Feet Memphis gift card, and the first 2,100 finishers will get a medal. 9 a.m. 6903 Great View Dr. North. Learn more and register.

Thanksgiving Brunch at The Peabody Memphis, Thursday, Nov. 28:

Buffet brunch on the hotel’s mezzanine with omelets, a carving station, salads, seafood and a 32-foot-long dessert table. 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. $108 for adults, $38 for children (ages 5-12). 149 Union Ave. See the menu and make a reservation.

Thanksgiving Dinner at Capriccio Grill, Thursday, Nov. 28:

A hearty three-course holiday feast including a soup and salad buffet, a choice of one of five entrees from the traditional turkey breast or glazed ham to venison, salmon or sweet potato gnocchi; and a sweet finale dessert trio of pumpkin pie, eggnog cheesecake and cranberry chocolate opera. Noon-10 p.m. $80+ per adult. Reservations: 901-529-4000. 149 Union Ave.

Thanksgiving Dinner at Chez Philippe, Thursday, Nov. 28:

An elegant four-course prix fixe menu created by Chef Keth Clinton and Executive Pastry Chef Konrad Spitzbart with an optional wine pairing. 5:30-10 p.m. $145+ per person, $55 for wine pairing. Reservations: 901-529-4000. 149 Union Ave.

Peabody Tree Lighting at The Peabody Memphis, Friday, Nov. 29:

Live jazz from the Jeremy Schrader Trio, a holiday duck march, a performance by the Opera Memphis Holiday Carolers, a meet-and-greet with Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus and a tree lighting ceremony. 3-6:30 p.m. 149 Union Ave.

Starry Nights at Shelby Farms opens on Friday, Nov. 29. (The Daily Memphian file)

Starry Nights at Shelby Farms Park, opening Friday, Nov. 29:

This annual, drive-through lighting exhibition benefits the Shelby Farms Park Conservancy and the Shelby Farms Greenline. Runs through Dec. 19 on select nights. Also, look for motorcycle, bicycle and walk/bike nights through the holiday season. 6903 Great View Dr North. Click here for more information.

Holiday Wonders at the Garden at Memphis Botanic Garden, opens Friday, Nov. 29:

The Memphis Botanic Garden’s seasonal lighting exhibition, presented in partnership with Memphis Light, Gas and Water this year, features photo ops, holiday characters, themed nights, food trucks and more. Santa will make an appearance on opening night. Runs through Dec. 28. 750 Cherry Road. Click here for more information. 

The Memphis Zoo’s “Zoo Lights” display opens on Friday, Nov. 29. (Courtesy Memphis Zoo)

Zoo Lights at the Memphis Zoo, opens Friday, Nov. 29:

The zoo’s annual holiday event features light displays, a Ferris wheel, a S’mores Station and an ice-skating rink, among other attractions. Runs through Jan. 4. Open from 5 to 9:30 p.m. 2000 Prentiss Place. Click here for more information.

Winter Wonderland at the Children’s Museum of Memphis, opens Saturday, Nov. 30:

Whether or not it snows in Memphis this winter won’t matter, because kids can throw snowballs, skate (in socks), write letters to Santa and so much more at this annual exhibition. Runs through Jan. 5. 2525 Central Ave. Click here for information.

Crosstown Concourse’s Season of Delight holiday lighting party is on Friday, Dec. 6. (Jamie Harmon/Courtesy Crosstown Arts)

Crosstown Concourse’s Delight, Friday, Dec. 6:

Crosstown will flip the switch on its massive lighting installation in the central atrium. Plus, there will be free hot chocolate, crafts and holiday films playing in Crosstown Theater. 5 to 8 p.m. 1350 Concourse Ave. Click here for more information.

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