The Barefoot Contessa says not to bother cooking for people you don't absolutely love. I'm beginning to understand why. The idea is that if you really love someone, you can forgive them for their dietary eccentricities or not wanting to taste things they don't think they like. We'll see.

This year, I've been given free reign to cook Christmas dinner at my mother's house. But it's not as free or as simple as it sounds. Not only does my mother not like to cook, she's not fond of messes in her kitchen. And she and my stepfather aren't big on leftovers. She also hates to buy spices she's not sure she'll use again. But in the name of creating one of those really fantastic holiday memories, I decided to make it work.

I was full of ideas. How about a green vegetable sauteed with some toasted almond slivers, a really tasty salad? Maybe we could forget the turkey altogether and have a standing rib roast, wash it down with some holiday cocktail and finish it all of with creme brulee or a croissant bread pudding?

It's like I pulled out a shot gun. No turkey?! So my husband is dealing with the bird. He likes to do it - and frankly, no matter how good I get at making other things, his turkeys are still tastier than mine.

That left me with some sides, and started making suggestions for things we could cut out in favor or new flavor combos. Who needs another crock of stuffing and mashed potatoes? Turns out: Everyone.

I decided to let my mother and husband each make one of those, and I could turn my attention to a vegetable tian, with tomatoes, potatoes, zucchini, onions and gruyere. Maybe something simple with a green vegetable, some thyme popovers and an exciting dessert...But my mother had to have a pumpkin pie, and when I called my uncle to see what his favorite dish is --- turns out to be green bean casserole.

So Mom is going to have to make due with a pumpkin banana mousse tart, and Uncle John will get a from-scratch casserole with fresh green beans and panko-crusted onions. And I'm sticking to my guns on the vegetable tian and popovers. There WILL be new dishes at the table! Too bad it just means more food. But we'll stuff ourselves in the name of progress and I'll report back.