So to give my personal chef his props, I thought it would be fun to share his unusual Thanksgiving stuffing recipe. Actually, the proper props go to the Junior League of Albuquerque and their Simply Simpatico cookbook, from whence the recipe sprang. I received the book (1990 printing) as a fitting going away gift from Junior Leaguer and Page One Bookstore & Newsstand owner Yvette Stout when my family left the Land of Enchantment for LaLa Land in 1991.

Since then, my husband Raoul has been fine tuning Simply Simpatico‘s unique but ab fab turkey stuffing, to unanimously rave reviews. The stuffing incorporates chicken tamales and mild enchilada sauce for a distinctly New Mexican and non-traditional but immensely tasty dish. Raoul’s stained and dog-eared guidebook (pictured here) is now a family heirloom! The family photos in the picture capture not only our first Thanksgiving in our new home served on fine china and graced by a bearded Uncle Gabo but also the trial run of the tamale stuffing. And it was “a triumph, my dear: a triumph!” (as Bob Cratchit tenderly applauds his wife’s presentation of the Christmas goose in the fam fave George C. Scott version of A Christmas Carol).

To join in the seasonal, salivating fun, a few Visionaries enter the ring with some of their “family favorite” Thanksgiving recipes. We have Jason weighing in with his wife Brandy’s “The Best Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie EV-arr!” You know it’s gotta be good: Brandy is a pastry chef at Houston’s own Strip House restaurant. Melissa lands a right hook with her mom’s “Mean Green Bean Casserole” (should we offer Mean Joe Green a nibble?!). And Jacki provides a knockout sweet potato dish.

Rounding out the recipes, I’ve supplied a few surprises like leftover turkey enchiladas and Mama Stamberg’s cranberry relish. If you’ve listened to NPR over the years, you’ve heard the recipe. But have you tried it? I did! Like the tamale turkey stuffing, this cranberry dish has some unexpected ingredients. And while the relish is delish, its hue is rather jarring amidst the typically muted Thanksgiving color palette. We’ll call it “bubblegum pink,” which you might find a bit more appetizing than “Pepto Bismol pink.” Try it. You’ll like it.

Happy Thanksgiving, all: We have so much to be thankful for–including you! Wishing you the warmest good cheer…