(Family Features) - There's no place like home ... especially when there's a gathering of beloved family members and friends around the table, sharing a bounty of festive comfort food.

Begin the festive meal with an all-time favorite-tender slices of roasted turkey. All eyes will be on the host, hostess or perhaps a young adult in the family as they carve, so this is the time to show off a bit. To make carving a spectacular-yet simple-part of the meal, Cutco Cutlery suggests using a carving fork to hold the meat in place, then carving across the grain with a sharp, recessed-edge carving knife, using long sweeping strokes to ensure impressive, smooth, even slices.

Once everyone has a serving of turkey, begin the passing of delicious side dishes, starting with a comfort food that ranks high on everyone's list-potatoes. Make them extra special for this gathering by creating Mashed Potatoes With Garlic, Parsley and Olive Oil. Use a large serving spoon because everyone will want a generous serving of this combination of Wisconsin potatoes, olive oil, milk, garlic cloves and parsley. Cook some extra potatoes to use for another special treat-Potato Herb Biscuits, lightly cooked in a skillet to a delicious golden brown.

Next, pass a beautiful bowl of Curried Green Beans, another traditional family favorite-dressed up for this festive occasion with chopped peanuts. Your dinner guests will love the flavor and crunch of this easy-to-make vegetable dish.

Everyone looks forward to-and saves room for-dessert! No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie provides a traditional favorite combination of peanut butter and chocolate. Using cream cheese, crunchy peanut butter and chocolate syrup, this delicious pie can be made several days before your celebration and stored in the freezer.

Golden turkey ... creamy mashed potatoes ... warm biscuits ... crunchy vegetables and a scrumptious peanut butter dessert-no one will want this festive home gathering to end. So later, be prepared to have everyone gather around the table again for leftovers-if there are any!

Turkey Carving Tips

After cooking, let the turkey "set" for 15-20 minutes. This allows the meat to firm up, making carving easier. Use a carving fork to hold the meat in place and a sharp carving knife to slice. Always carve the meat across the grain. After the first cut is made, the angle at which the knife is held should never change. Use long, sweeping strokes to ensure smooth, even slices.

Decorate the platter with easy garnishes, such as small fruits and vegetables or a bouquet of herbs.

Carving at the Table
Carving is a traditional honor done at the table by the host, hostess or another family member or friend. The carver may sit or stand-either is correct. It can be especially memorable to occasionally pass the honor on to a son or daughter who has just turned 18, or to a newly-wed at the table. Take photographs to share with the carver and to remember the moment.

Carving in the Kitchen
Sometimes, an already carved platter of turkey is preferred and the meat is prepared in the kitchen. Place meat on a large cutting board and carve quickly to make sure the meat arrives on the table to eat hot with the rest of the food. Arrange slices on an attractive platter, garnished with colorful fruits, vegetables or herbs.

For more tips on cutlery use and care visit www.cutco.com.
For more holiday recipes from the Peanut Advisory Board, visit www.peanutbutterlovers.com.
For more ideas and helpful hints for Wisconsin potatoes, visit www.wisconsinpotatoes.com.