With all the channels on broadcast TV and cable—and the inevitable episode repeats—it's hard to sort out what's new or worthwhile. Let us sort it out for you so you don't miss anything worth watching. Times may vary with region; check your local listings for exact hour and channels.

Recommended Shows:

This week delivers the premiere of Man V. Food, where host Adam Richman travels the country to find the "biggest and baddest" food challenges. There are two back-to-back episodes starting at 10 p.m. ET. Wednesday, 10 p.m. ET, Travel Channel

We've discussed Paula Deen quite a bit over the past few months, so check out how she plans to ruin any plans for a diet with her "Fried Christmas." Friday, 7 p.m. ET, Food Network

Monday (December 1)

Good Eats (warning, a video plays automatically on site): "Switched on Baklava." Phyllo dough can be finicky but Alton tames this difficult pastry to create that wonderfully layered dessert known as baklava. 8 p.m. ET, Food Network

Unwrapped (warning, a video plays automatically on site): "Things That Go "POP!" Behind the scenes looks at the Popcorn Palace, Galco's, a soda pop shop, frozen treats Bomb Pops and Tongue Splashers, Korbel's bubbly, Blow Pops and the Fizzies. 9 p.m. ET, Food Network

Modern Marvels: "Salt." Salt is a versatile substance with 14,000 known uses; visiting a salt mine under Lake Erie; an evaporation facility harvests ocean salt near San Francisco; a Florida restaurant offers 40 varieties of salt. 8 p.m. ET, History Channel

Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives (warning, a video plays automatically on site): "Places You Sent Me." Guy Fieri hits some spots viewers recommended including: In Salt Lake City, a 79-year-old diner serving Mile High biscuits and gravy; in New Orleans, a neighborhood dive puttin' out roast beef po' boys; And in Middletown, Ct., a historic diner serving unexpected favorites that was rebuilt after a fire. 10 p.m. ET, Food Network

Tuesday (December 2)

Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern: "Uganda." Andrew travels to Uganda, known as the pearl of Africa, where the people are friendly and the food is simple. He hunts for a fish that lives on land, harvests a meal made up of flying ants, and sinks his teeth into the meat of a sugar cane rat. 10 p.m. ET, Travel Channel

Wednesday (December 3)

Top Chef "Today Show: Rocco DiSpirito." The contestants compete in a fast food demonstration challenge in order to earn a booking on "Today.'' 10 p.m. Bravo

Prototype This!: "Automated Pizza Delivery." Engineers attempt to automate pizza delivery. 10 p.m. ET, Discovery Channel

Man V. Food: "Amarillo." Spicy burgers, chicken fried steak and steak challenges in Amarillo, Texas. 10 p.m. ET, Travel Channel

Thursday (December 4)

The Martha Stewart Show: "Roast Duck and Cocktails." Chef Vitaly Paley prepares roast duck with cherries and bread pudding; the essential glassware, tools, liquors and mixers needed to set up a bar. 11 a.m. ET, NBC

Friday (December 5)

Paula's Best Dishes (warning, a video plays automatically on site): "Fried Christmas." Deep fried ham; loaded mashed potatoes; fried asparagus with Creole mustard sauce; red velvet bread pudding. 7 p.m. ET, Food Network

Road Tasted With the Neelys (warning, a video plays automatically on site): "Christmas Brunch." Honey baked ham; sausage and leek breakfast casserole; buttermilk biscuits with sweet cinnamon spice butter; Christmas coconut coffee cake. 7:30 p.m. ET, Food Network