Generate a Thanksgiving Menu Fast

If you’re stuck for inspiration on what to cook for your Thanksgiving feast, don’t despair. The New York Times offers a handy menu generator that offers 16 recipes at a time based upon your party’s size, cooking experience, dietary restrictions, preference in level of tradition and most importantly, the time you have left to cook. Applying the slider settings just 48 hours ahead of the feast, for example, suggests recipes for stuffing, mushroom risotto, creamed onions and brandied pumpkin pie. Get started now, and your guests will think you slaved away in the kitchen for weeks!

Cap off the Summer With a Cookout

Every year, America celebrates the unofficial end of summer and the contributions of the nation’s workers by taking a Monday off. Naturally, this calls for a cookout! Serious Eats recommends going beyond the old backyard standbys — burgers and franks — to grill up more exotic entrées such as Japanese chicken meatballs, curry kebabs and grilled fish tacos. “Rather than wallow in despair at the changing of the seasons, use the holiday as an excuse for one last, pull-out-all-the-stops backyard cookout,” the site says.

Make an Unforgettable Mother’s Day Brunch

Sometimes, the best Mother’s Day gift is to let Mom sleep late and do all of the cooking for an unforgettable brunch. The Food Network offers 28 breakfast and brunch ideas that are sure to warm her heart, such as a breakfast tart with pancetta and green onions and lemon-blueberry pancakes. Pick out easy, fun-to-make recipes and get the kids involved; not only will it teach them valuable skills they can use later in life, but it will also keep them out of Mom’s hair for a while.

Menu Plans for a Perfect Easter

A complete Easter feast often means more than just a spiral ham and scalloped potatoes. Cooking Light offers 11 complete meal plans depending on whether you’re in the mood for brunch bites, want to host a hearty traditional dinner, are grilling for a garden party or visiting with an all-vegetarian crew. Follow a single menu or mix and match delicacies such as deviled eggs, asparagus and leg of lamb; guests will leave satisfied even before they break into their Easter baskets.

Make Dishes Ahead to Ease Easter Stress

To wow your guests and still get your beauty rest, there are many dishes you can make ahead of time for Easter brunch, says Taste of Home. Brunch enchiladas, egg casseroles, and even stuffed French toast can be assembled and refrigerated overnight, then popped in the oven and served—still sizzling—the following day. You can also chop, measure and plate other brunch essentials such as a fruit salad, coffee and condiments the night before and take them directly to the table.