Photos by Gordon Chibroski/Staff Photographer Choosing up sides
They may play second fiddle in the symphony that is your holiday feast, but you still want your side dishes to be outstanding in a supporting role.

Choosing up sides: Recipes from Mark Anthony Pariano

Choosing up sides: Recipes from Karl Mace

ANNE MAHLEThankfully, here's a turkey dinner to be proud of – without the stress

Lots of local options for turkey day takeout

PATRICK DARR & TOM MARQUARDT / THE WINE GUYSFor Thanksgiving wines, keep it simple

AVERY YALE KAMILA / NATURAL FOODIEWater wars: Plentiful choices, no simple ones

JEANNE JONES / COOK IT LIGHTFewer walnuts cuts fat on a blueberry tart

MEREDITH GOADChoosing up sides
They may play second fiddle in the symphony that is your holiday feast, but you still want your side dishes to be outstanding in a supporting role.

BROOKE DOJNYDon't look past Maine's variety of cranberry

JEANNE JONES / COOK IT LIGHTBroccoli dish still foolproof with less fat

Dispatches

AVERY YALE KAMILA / NATURAL FOODIEGreater Portland restaurants rise to gluten-free demand

On the shelf: E-book profiles two gluten-free establishments

PATRICK DARR & TOM MARQUARDT / THE WINE GUYSSpanish vineyard taps a Beringer to revive Artesa line

MEREDITH GOADBon appetit, mes amis (Enjoy your meal, my friends)
Experience the joie de vivre at the Merry Table Creperie in the Old Port, where on the first Thursday of each month the food, the music and the conversation are all tres francaises and the vibe is tres fun.

ANNE MAHLEBig squash family has lots to offer

PATRICK DARR & TOM MARQUARDT / THE WINE GUYSStag's Leap takes big steps to polish its label

JEANNE JONES / COOK IT LIGHTTransforming tasty side dish for holidays

AVERY YALE KAMILA / NATURAL FOODIEWant to learn the craft of canning? Now's your chance

MEREDITH GOADCereal company bowls a strike
Granola groupies? They're becoming a fact of life for this online purveyor of inventive blends of flakes, grains, fruits and nuts.

BROOKE DOJNYSmaller pumpkins, better pies

BTW, about those sweet pumpkin dessert recipes ...

Christopher Lebel's recipe for pumpkin carrot cake

AVERY YALE KAMILA / NATURAL FOODIEReasons aplenty for raising, hunting your own meat

JEANNE JONES / COOK IT LIGHTA good omelet without all the bad stuff

PATRICK DARR & TOM MARQUARDT / THE WINE GUYSWine rises from beer cans to the White House

MEREDITH GOADHoly Halloween!
Restaurateurs are getting all spooky this week with a host of frighteningly decadent goodies and libations.

Gaga over gourds: Pumpkin carrot cake

Gaga over gourds: Pumpkin praline cheesecake

Gaga over gourds: Brown sugar spiced pepitas (pumpkin seeds)

Gaga over gourds: Maple mushroom pumpkin creme brulee

Gaga over gourds: Pumpkin praline trifle

ANNE MAHLE'Healthy' doesn't have to be low-fat

Treats from many sources, all in one place

AVERY YALE KAMILA / NATURAL FOODIEDresden farmers turn talents to plant-based protein

JEANNE JONES / COOK IT LIGHTBake a lighter oatmeal cake with coconut icing

PATRICK DARR & TOM MARQUARDT / THE WINE GUYSReflections on a journey to research good pinot noirs

MEREDITH GOADIn Damariscotta they go gaga over gourds
... and pumpkin dessert contest entrants think way outside the pie crust.

Harvest on the Harbor: The Grand Tasting

Harvest on the Harbor: Who's who of chef celebs

Harvest on the Harbor: The Man Cave

Harvest on the Harbor: Lobster Chef of the Year

BROOKE DOJNYTaste roasted rosemary chicken ... the way chicken should be

AVERY YALE KAMILA / NATURAL FOODIEFarmers, foodies and activists take on a giant

Flexitarian chef coming to festival

PATRICK DARR & TOM MARQUARDT / THE WINE GUYSCalifornia's Sonoma Valley ideal for producing cabernet sauvignon

JEANNE JONES / COOK IT LIGHTHealthier turtle cookies deemed better than the originals

MEREDITH GOADIs this heaven? No, it's Harvest on the Harbor
The annual orgy of epicurean delights is Oct. 22-24, with more opportunities to wine and dine with world-class chefs than you can shake a whisk at.

Partying whole-hog: Find a caterer; find a pig

ANNE MAHLEEvery now and again, you just have to go to Plan B