Pumpkin

Article / Recipes: Thanksgiving: 20 things to do with a pumpkin.

The traditional side dishes that accompany the roasted bird may vary according to region but usually include sweet potatoes baked with either marshmallows or maple syrup; stuffing, known as “dressing”, and made with herbs, cornbread, wild rice, chillies, chestnuts or sausage depending on the state; New England cranberry relish as a tart foil to all the sweetness on the plate, and, for pudding, the acquired taste that is pumpkin pie.

Both pumpkin and butternut squash are versatile types of winter squash that can be sautéed, mashed or used in soups and curries.

Perfect Yorkshire Pudding

Article/Recipe: Chemists divine formula for perfect Yorkshire pud.

Scroll down: the recipe sits at the end.

Dr Emsley’s consultations with colleagues across the country led the Royal Society of Chemistry to conclude that the best specimens were no less than 4in high. He declined to disclose the precise methodology of the investigation.

“I have seen many grim results from people who have tried to get their Yorkshires to rise,” he said. “They frequently made gross errors.

“Cooking is chemistry in the kitchen and one has to have the correct formula, equipment and procedures. To translate the ingredients into chemical terms, these are carbohydrate + H2O + protein + NaCl + lipids.”

Couscous with mustard dressing

Recipe: Golden couscous with lemony mustard dressing.