Lately I’ve been wondering: How does Allen Brothers keep its strong competitive edge, decade in and decade out? How does it attract and maintain its fiercely loyal, ever-growing clientele amid a sea of wanna-be competitors? Well, first of all, Allen Brothers sells the hands-down best, most delicious USDA Prime steaks in America, plus a whole range of unique, premium-quality, signature meats and seafood and prepared foods—but we die-hard Allen Brothers fans already know that. Still, how exactly does a family-owned Chicago company that has been in business for more than a century stay at the very top of its field year after year?

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Sweet potatoes, yams, squash… those fabulously sweet, plump orange beauties are staples on the Thanksgiving table. Sure, you could serve the same old candied yams for Thanksgiving this year, but why not discover a surprise new favorite? Here’s what’s going to be on my family’s holiday table next week:
Chipotle sweet potatoes. Is there a more perfect Thanksgiving side dish? The subtle sweetness of the sweet potatoes, highlighted with a touch of brown sugar and a heavenly pecan streusel topping, plays so nicely with that spicy, smoky kick from chipotle peppers—and brings a whole new thrill to the Thanksgiving spread.

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Ever since I was little, my aunt Jill and uncle Ed would come over for Thanksgiving every year. My aunt would always insist on bringing something, and it was always the same: a huge lasagna, straight from her oven and still piping-hot. Why lasagna? Well, she always laughed when someone asked what Italian pasta had to do with Thanksgiving, so we’ve never found out where she got the idea in the first place. But now lasagna is an MVP in my family’s annual Thanksgiving dinner, and our table just wouldn’t be the same without it. The lasagna always disappears by the end of the meal, no matter how big a pan my aunt Jill makes. Somehow the saucy, hearty Italian classic is a perfect, if unexpected, match for the roasted bird. And when the sauce from the lasagna on the plate migrates over to the turkey, it gives an extra dose of juiciness and intense flavor. If you’ve never had lasagna for Thanksgiving, give it a shot this year. Best of all, Allen Brothers has two kinds.

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You’ve gotta have the turkey; you’ve gotta have the stuffing; you’ve gotta have the sweet potatoes. But pumpkin pie? Hmm, let’s rethink this. Dessert? Yes, dessert is a must—as if we had to tell you that! Should it be something involving pumpkin? Absolutely, since pumpkins are in season. Plus they’re just so… Thanksgiving. But this year, how about a slightly different, utterly spectacular pumpkin dessert that will make your family sit up and say: “Now this takes the cake!” I’m talking about pumpkin-cognac cheesecake. Think about it: All the sweetness and seasonal deliciousness of pumpkin, tinged with spices and combined with the creamy richness of cheesecake. Plus there’s a hint of cognac, and a luscious layer of whipped cream to boot. Just try to resist…

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Have you been using the same tried-and-true turkey recipe every year? Wondering if it might be nice to change it up this time? Or are you still looking for a turkey recipe that you’ll fall in love with enough to go back to year after year? Every time it’s my turn to host Thanksgiving dinner for our big family, I try a slightly different twist with the turkey. There’s a terrific recipe for a classic roast turkey in the Allen Brothers Cooking Guide, and below are three of my other favorite techniques. What do they all have in common? Allen Brothers all-natural, free-range turkey, a 12-to-14-pound beauty that serves a dozen or more people (even if your uncle Joe can eat enough for three!). Order yours now, then decide on the new turkey twist you’ll try this year—and guarantee a Thanksgiving dinner your family will remember fondly, forever.

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