Thanksgiving tips for the surefire holiday meal

Rick Rodgers, a cookbook author and recipe developer says take the internal turkey parts and use the neck, gizzard and heart for a stock or gravy. Then donate the neck to a happy cat.

Rick Rodgers, a cookbook author and recipe developer guides holiday cooks through the process of making his surefire Dry-Brined Roast Turkey with Sage for Thanksgiving dinner. First tip, start with a fresh turkey.

Rick Rodgers, a cookbook author and recipe developer guides holiday cooks through the process of making his surefire Dry-Brined Roast Turkey with Sage for Thanksgiving dinner. First tip, start with a fresh turkey.

Rick Rodgers Make-Ahead Cranberry, Ginger, and Lemon Chutney for Thanksgiving dinner.

Rick Rodgers Make-Ahead Cranberry, Ginger, and Lemon Chutney for Thanksgiving dinner.

Rick Rodgers Make-Ahead Mashed Potato Casserole for Thanksgiving dinner.

Rick Rodgers, a cookbook author, recipe developer and expert on Thanksgiving dinner has written three cookbooks on Thanksgiving dinner.

Rick Rodgers Green Beans and Baby Carrots with Hazelnut Butter side dish for Thanksgiving dinner.

Rick Rodgers prepares a fresh vegetable on the stove top to demonstrate how to cut down on a Thanksgiving traffic jam in the oven while making side dishes.

Rick Rodgers Green Beans and Baby Carrots with Hazelnut Butter side dish for Thanksgiving dinner.

Rick Rodgers stuffing for Thanksgiving dinner.

(left to right)Rick Rodgers Green Beans and Baby Carrots with Hazelnut Butter, Make-Ahead Mashed Potato Casserole and stuffing side dishes for Thanksgiving dinner.

Rick Rodgers, a cookbook author, recipe developer gives tips on making his Hard Cider Gravy for Thanksgiving dinner.

Rick Rodgers' Cider Gravy for Thanksgiving dinner.

Rick Rodgers' Apple Pie that can be baked frozen for Thanksgiving dinner.

Rick Rodgers Apple Pie that can be baked frozen for Thanksgiving dinner.

Rick Rodgers' Apple Pie that can be made ahead and baked frozen for Thanksgiving dinner.

Rick Rodgers' Apple Pie that can be baked frozen for Thanksgiving dinner.

Rick Rodgers, a cookbook author, recipe developer's Dry-Brined Roast Turkey with Sage and Cider Gravy.

Rick Rodgers, a cookbook author, recipe developer's Dry-Brined Roast Turkey with Sage and Cider Gravy.

Rick Rodgers, a cookbook author, recipe developer's Dry-Brined Roast Turkey with Sage and Cider Gravy.