Cooking is a very stressful situation that I do my best to avoid. I always get really excited and anxious when I decide to cook, but halfway through the process every burner on the stove is on, bowls, plates, and utensils have piled up on the counter, and all I’ve ended up making is a bowl of spaghetti for one. But as Thanksgiving rolls around my mother always asks the dreaded question, "What are you making?" I’m beginning to think that she regrets asking this question because the extent of my culinary assistance on Thanksgiving Day is opening up a can of cranberry sauce and plopping it into the fine china.

This year I have decided to surprise them all. Rather than pick a modern recipe from the Food Network, I’m kicking this Thanksgiving back old school with some classic recipes. The Wallace clan will truly be surprised this year!

Boned Capon, aux Truffes. My family will be so pleased when I bring over the castrated rooster. But this recipe seems a little too complicated and I may accidentally bring seasoned rooster legs as an appetizer.

Terrapin, a la Gastronome. This recipe seemed easy enough, until I learned that Terrapin were turtles. Unfortunately, I don’t think my local grocery store has a turtle section.

Fried Smelts. Thanksgiving is all about comfort food and anything fried is always a big win. These little fishies were served at the White House in 1887.

Many of the historic Thanksgiving menus that I came across all seemed to include a meat pie, particularly mincemeat pie. But my favorite had to be this Chicken Pie featuring meat jelly. Mmmmm!

Since I am waiting till the last minute for my Thanksgiving recipe and I am on a tight budget, the other option is to skip the chicken and try a nice tasty Pigeon Pie. It's very easy to find a nice plump one this time of year in NYC.

This will be a Thanksgiving my family will be sure to remember, but since they are your typical meat and potatoes family I may just have to stick with the standard tradition of pigs in a blanket. Who knows, years from now that may be the weird recipe at the table.

Cheers to successful recipes all around whether they be made from scratch, reheated, or pre-made. Remember to tell us what you're having! Happy Thanksgiving to all!