Usually get some e-mails re: Thanksgiving Day cooking tips and this one arrived this week. Here you go:

Thanksgiving is a celebration of family, friends and of course, delicious food, but too often the holiday is overshadowed by the stress of having to cook for a large group of people.  Philip Butler, Executive Chef for CB Holding Corp. (the parent company of Charlie Brown’s Steakhouse, Bugaboo Creek Steak House and The Office Beer Bar & Grill), has a wealth of tips to make Thanksgiving a breeze for any home cook.  And for those looking for a completely work-free holiday, he’s created a delectable Thanksgiving menu that could coax even the biggest couch potato to stop by Charlie Brown’s.

Here are some of Chef Butler’s tips for those cooking their own Thanksgiving feast, along with his delicious holiday soup recipe:

· Oven Management

o This is the number one cause of problems that occur while cooking a large meal; plan out the cooking rotation of dishes prior to the actual preparation to ensure a smooth cooking experience

· Turkey

o Use fresh spices: the roasting process will draw out the oils

§ Brining the turkey will prevent overcooking and can save a home cook’s Thanksgiving dinner (Brining involves soaking the turkey in water and salt (and additional ingredients if desired) for at least 12 hours

o Don’t throw away spice scraps: throw the stems and leftover garlic into the brine to enhance the flavor

· Stuffing

o Always use dry herbs, not fresh, so as to create subtle flavor accents that won’t overpower the stuffing itself

o Try cornbread and fresh roasted apple; a new twist on an old favorite

* See below for a great soup recipe from Chef Butler (click here for more Thanksgiving

information)