Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Radio Thanksgiving Throwback (2019): Pumpkin Pie Secrets and Vivian Howard’s Spoon Bread
Nov 26, 2025
Join pastry chef Stella Parks as she unveils secrets to the perfect pumpkin pie and shares her unique twist on à la mode. Chef Vivian Howard discusses her North Carolina Thanksgiving with a delicious brined turkey and sweet potato spoon bread. Dr. Aaron Carroll offers essential food safety tips to avoid holiday mishaps, while Catherine Smart introduces a mouthwatering Cranberry and Candied Ginger Buckle. Dive into festive traditions and culinary wisdom shared by notable chefs.
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Piney Butter-Brined Turkey
- Roast a brined turkey at 375°F and baste it with a butter-soaked cheesecloth for moist, aromatic meat.
- Brine with piney herbs like rosemary and juniper to add holiday aromas while roasting.
Make Safe, Non-Mushy Stuffing
- Don't stuff raw stuffing into the bird to avoid undercooked pockets; cook stuffing separately to a safe 165°F.
- Toast fresh bread cubes in the oven instead of using stale bread to prevent soggy, clumped stuffing.
Squash Makes Better 'Pumpkin' Pie
- Use butternut or other squash instead of pumpkin for richer, better-flavored pie filling.
- Historical recipes often used squash but continued to call the result 'pumpkin pie.'
