Here we are on day 2 of this Thanksgiving double-take. As I said I plan to present a week worth of Thanksgiving standards, 2 at a time. One recipe is traditional and comfortable, the other is something you may have never tried before.

People have very set ideas concerning the Thanksgiving meal. There are certain dishes that are simple but show up on our tables year after year. I mean, can you imagine Thanksgiving without mashed potatoes? What would you do with the gravy? But if you are anything like me you want to keep everybody at the table happy by meeting their expectations. But does that mean you have to make all of the standards exactly the same year after year?

That's why I'm giving two options as you fulfill your culinary obligations. Todays's requisite Thanksgiving must have is a vegetable. Carrots to be exact. I love carrots, and while they are not a side-dish exclusive to Thanksgiving, they are a perennial favorite. So I say make them special!

People often prepare their veggies in a very “after the fact” sort of way. I can’t tell you how many great dinner parties I have been to where it’s obvious the host spent a lot of time on one dish or one aspect of the meal. A gorgeous rib roast. A four foot cake. A perfect fillet of wild salmon, seared and flavorful on the outside, rare and succulent on the inside.

Or in the case of Thanksgiving a spectacular dry-brined turkey roasted to golden perfection. But the accompanying vegetable was practically ignored. Thrown onto the plate as an after-thought. Poor little guy. He deserves love too! Come on it's the holidays– open your heart up a little, give 'em the respect they deserve.