One side effect of working as an editor for FoodNetwork.com is that you end up thinking about Thanksgiving starting in June, craving mashed potatoes all through the summer. This year, as I waded through Thanksgiving recipes on our site, familiar old faves and great new takes, I decided that this was the year I would revamp my family’s Thanksgiving bread basket.

Sometime in July I decided I would bake Alex’s Parker House Rolls for Thanksgiving — they look soft, buttery and oh, so classic. But this is one recipe I decided to take for a test drive before the big cooking extravaganza of Thanksgiving, where every bit of counter and oven space needs to be carefully budgeted and coordinated. So, like sydney1212, the latest reviewer of this recipe (glad I’m not alone), I baked a test batch of these rolls over the weekend.

Read more »

Want to know what Food Network fans were cooking in October? From Butternut Squash Soup to cheesy Chicken Enchiladas and sweet pumpkin desserts, here are the top 10 recipes of the month:

10. Tyler’s Chicken Enchiladas
9. Apple Coffee Cake With Brown Sugar Glaze
8. Alton’s Pumpkin Bread
7. Pumpkin Pie
6. Paula’s Chicken and Dumplings

The top 5 recipes of October »

To create a smooth, rich gravy for Thanksgiving, gradually ladle the hot broth into the flour mixture, whisking constantly (this is key, or your gravy will be lumpy). Bring to a boil, then adjust the heat so the gravy simmers gently.

Try making: Ina Garten’s Homemade Gravy recipe

Food Network Magazine shows you how to make the perfect gravy in seven simple steps (photos).