All Time Best Holiday Entertaining

Celebrations call for meals that impress, and with thousands of meticulously tested recipes to our name, the experts at Cook's Illustrated are no strangers to pulling off a great holiday feast. In this timeless collection, we have gathered 75 spectacular, foolproof recipes from over 20 years of testing to help you confidently pull off a holiday meal to remember.

Chapters devoted to each course (Starters, Centerpieces, Shareable Sides, and Sweet Endings) make planning easy, whether you're ­feasting with extended family, hosting a small-scale celebration, or simply bringing along a standout dish. Reimaging the Thanksgiving table? Find that new go-to side, such as Roasted Cauliflower Gratin or Wild Rice Pilaf with Pecans and Cranberries. Baking Christmas cookies or other treats for gift-giving? You'll find the perfect cookie recipes (butter and gingerbread) as well as a foolproof method for producing luscious Chocolate Truffles. Hosting an intimate New Year's Eve dinner? Our showstopper recipes, whether a Spiced Pumpkin Cheesecake, Italian-style Porchetta, or Boneless Rib Roast with Yorkshire Pudding, guarantee success. Invite Cook's Illustrated to your holiday table this year and watch new traditions take root.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs