Instructions: Turkey contains a natural compound, called L-tryptophan, which relaxes the body and induces sleep. Warmed milk has L-tryptophan, too. While I welcome this natural stress reducer during the hectic holiday season, there is no need to have a turkey dinner that tastes tired.

Like the grandmother in the holiday Garfield special, I add a touch of chile heat to Thanksgiving dishes. One of the easiest ways to do this is to include a splash of hot sauce in favorite recipes.

For appetizers, add a dash to traditional dips, such as clam or hot crab dip.

Try broiling oysters on the half shell with a bit of butter. Then serve with a squeeze of lime and hot sauce to taste.

Hot sauce also adds zing to salad dressings or compound butter. For the latter, cream butter with minced garlic, parsley and hot sauce to taste. Using wax paper, form the butter into a log shape. Wrap and store the compound butter in the freezer. When ready to serve, just slice the desired amount onto steamed

For the main course, Ive turned to a couple of hot sauce experts - McIlhenny Corp., makers of Tabasco sauce, and Jalisco Foods, makers of Cholula Hot Sauce, to provide recipes.

The first dish, Tabascos maple-glazed turkey with spicy cider gravy, is an elegant, flavorful and low-fat way to prepare turkey. The second recipe, Cholula tortilla-crusted chicken with salsa de elote (corn relish), makes a nice alternative to turkey, but could be made with sliced turkey breast, if desired.

The last recipe, Tabascos pungent pumpkin pie, is truly delicious. The Tabasco adds an underlying warm note that enhances the pies traditional sweet spices.

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