Sausage

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

"For as long as I can remember, every Christmas Eve I've hosted an open house with a Mexican buffet," writes Jill Cole of Fallbrook, California. "Any suggestion of varying the meal is met with cries of protest from family and friends. I set out guacamole, salsa, homemade tamales, and what has become my famous albóndigas soup." Be sure to put out hot sauce for those who like extra heat.

Turkey sausages would also be delicious. Accompany this with good bread; follow it with a salad and an assortment of cheeses.

For a change of pace, use purchased tortellini filled with pumpkin instead of cheese.

Karen Azar of North Providence, Rhode Island, writes: "My boyfriend and I recently dined at Terra Mar Grill in the Saybrook Point Inn, in Old Saybrook, Connecticut. He had the campanelle pasta, and it reminded him of a meal his mother used to make. Could you please obtain the recipe?" Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 1 1/2 hr

A turkey seems simple to prepare but needs extra attention, so make the glaze and stuffing ahead. Wash the bird well, refresh it with an orange and use cooled stuffing! The cooked-turkey temperatures given here are USDA-approved.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Warm garlic toast and an arugula salad with balsamic vinaigrette are good partners with the pasta. A purchased lemon tart is a fitting dessert.

Serve polenta alongside this dish, which is also nice spooned over pasta or onto French rolls to make hero sandwiches.

This delicious Portuguese regional specialty, called migas, is a dish of sautéed meats served over fried bread. Here is the version from Fialho restaurant in Evora, Portugal. They marinate the pork in a red-pepper paste popular in the Alentejo, but paprika makes a nice substitute. The seasoned pork needs to be chilled overnight, so begin this recipe a day before serving it.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

A great-tasting hash that gets its kick from the combination of Maytag blue cheese, spicy sausage, red bell pepper and beets.

Serve this stuffing alongside your Christmas turkey, ham, goose or duck. Add an extra dose of chestnuts to your meal by offering the Brussels Sprouts with Chestnuts and Bacon.