Whether you've made a number of holiday dinners or not, this coming holiday season is filled with enough challenges for any family. Why not approach the main holiday meal from a more relaxed state of mind? You don't have to be a television food chef to make a dinner that will be memorable - it can be as simple as stuffing your thawed turkey with fresh citrus fruits, brushing on a glaze, and making a few no-stress side dishes to perfectly compliment the meal.

You'll want to start with a fresh or frozen thawed turkey, appropriately rinsed and drained. Quarter a fresh orange or two and stuff into the carcass. Stir together about 3 tablespoons fresh orange juice, 1/4 cup of vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon garlic salt, 1 teaspoon fresh or dried herbs of your choice, and a dash of pepper, and brush over the bird. Cover and bake according to package directions.

The citrus flavor permeating your turkey will perfectly blend with Mrs. Cubbison's Easy Sausage and Cranberry Stuffing, as well as a Fruity Holiday Salad that's ready in less than five minutes and sure to please. Add some baked yams, canned cranberry sauce and fresh bakery rolls or bread for a meal to remember. Your stuffing can bake while the completely roasted turkey rests and is carved.

It doesn't take great culinary skills or a lot of effort to create a good holiday dinner. For more recipes and holiday tips, visit www.stuffingrecipes.com.

"After a good dinner, one can forgive anybody, even one's relations"-Oscar Wilde

Fruity Holiday Salad

Makes a large bowl, sure to feed a crowd!

1 medium head of fresh lettuce, chopped or 1 bag of pre-packaged salad

1 large, fresh carrot, shredded (optional if using bagged salad)

1 cup fresh, sliced celery

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1 cup canned Mandarin Orange slices, drained

1/2  cup purchased or prepared light vinaigrette salad dressing

2  cups Mrs. Cubbison's Restaurant Style Salad Croutons

Toss the vegetables, fruit and vinaigrette together until well combined. Sprinkle with croutons and serve for the perfect blend of sweet and savory, crunchy salad.

Easy Sausage and Cranberry Stuffing

Makes 10-12 servings

1 cup dried cranberries

1/2 cup apple juice

1/2 cup chicken broth

1 pound uncooked breakfast or mild sausage

2 cups diced, fresh celery

1 cup diced, fresh onion

1 to 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans (optional)

3/4 cup chicken broth

1 10-ounce package Mrs. Cubbison's Herb Seasoned Cube Stuffing

Place dried cranberries, apple juice and 1/2 cup chicken broth into small glass bowl; microwave uncovered on high for 2 minutes. Stir, and place to the side (allowing liquid to be absorbed by dried berries).

Preheat oven to 350?F. In large, nonstick pot, brown sliced or chopped sausage, breaking up and stirring frequently until browned. Reduce heat to low, add vegetables and sautÈ until somewhat tender (about 3-4 minutes). Add chopped pecans if desired, soaked cranberries (including liquid), and 3/4 cup of chicken broth; stir and remove from heat.

Fold in entire contents of stuffing mix until well combined, and spoon mixture into a 9 x 11-inch baking dish that has been prepared with cooking oil spray.

Cover baking dish with foil and bake for approximately 20 minutes. Remove foil, return to oven, and bake for an additional 10 minutes uncovered.

Remove from the oven, cool slightly while slicing turkey or other poultry to serve with the meal, and garnish before presentation with 1/2 cup pecan halves, if desired.