Every family has its own special Thanksgiving recipes, but with the rise of many special eating plans cooking for the holidays has become a bit more of a challenge. And while it’s wonderful to stick with family favorites, it’s also fun exploring new dishes for the holiday table.

Luckily the Kyle Public Library has an assortment of cookbooks to help prepare the perfect Thanksgiving feast. A great place to start is “Thanksgiving: How to Cook it Well,” which guides novice and experienced cooks from the earliest planning of the meal to the washing of the last plate. In addition to recipes it provides guidance on preparation, setting the table, serving the food, etiquette, cleanup, and what to do with leftovers. 

Are you eating gluten-free or vegan this holiday season? Try “Gluten Free and Vegan Pie: More Than 50 Sweet and Savory Pies,” “Gluten-Free Baking,” or “Vegan Holiday Cooking from Candle Café: Celebratory Menus and Recipes from New York’s Premier Plant-Based Restaurants.” For a book of solely gluten-free desserts, try “Blackbird Bakery Gluten-Free: 75 Recipes for Irresistible Desserts and Pastries.” Vegan desserts can be found in “The Allergen-Free Baker’s Handbook,” which provides recipes free from ingredients responsible for 90% of food allergies.

When it comes to dessert, Thanksgiving is a time for pie, so “Pie: 300 Tried-and-True Recipes for Delicious Homemade Pie” and “The Pie and Pastry Bible” are sure winners. But why should pie have all the focus? Bake your way out of a rut with a dessert from “Maida Hatter’s Cakes” or “Baking Che Moi,” or delight your family and friends with a delightfully decorated concoction created from “Professional Cake Decorating.” Something new on the dessert table will be sure to be a welcome delight. 

Feast your eyes on the myriad of cookbooks at the Kyle Public Library.