Thanksgiving is a time of giving thanks (and eating all the food!) What are you thankful for? Your family, home, career, or health? I am thankful this is not a Presidential election year. And for days off for my husband, getting outdoors in nature more, and lovely scenery. We tend to do a lot of day trips or weekend getaways this time of year. And COOK.
This year we decided to share some of our favorite Thanksgiving food ideas and recipes. Like these fun Thankfulness Cookies and the story behind them.
Another favorite of my family’s, and anyone else who has tasted it is my grandmother’s turkey stuffing. She was from Rhode Island, so it is very different than the southern recipes. You can check it out here:
Grandma’s Turkey Stuffing
1 lb Hamburger
1 lb Pork Sausage, Jimmy Dean’s
1 Bunch Parsley
2 Onions, chopped
1 Bunch Celery, chopped
1 Container Mushrooms, sliced
Stale Bread (about 1 loaf)
2 Eggs
Bell’s Seasoning[Note: This is my grandmother’s recipe]
- Cook hamburger and sausage in fying pan. Drain off fat. When browned and drained place in large bowl.
- In same pan add 1 stick unsalted butter and cook onions and celery until soft. Place in Bowl with meat.
- Add more butter and cook mushrooms. When cooked add to bowl with meat and onions.
- Add chopped parsley to bowl.
- Soak stale bread in water. Drain off the water and add the bread to the bowl.
- Add eggs.
- Add Bells seasoning to taste (usually ½ to one box).
- Add salt and pepper and mix.
- Loosely stuff inside of turkey and neck area and add remaining dressing to pan around the turkey.
- I let this stay in the pan the with the turkey the whole time it is roasting in the oven. If it looks like it is drying out, add a little water over the turkey.
There is a wonderful and simple barley casserole with carrots and celery that is both easy to make and tastes wonderful. A big plus is that it can be a leftover meal in itself OR used in soup. All you need is leftover turkey and broth, pour in the leftover barley casserole, and voila… turkey soup with barley.
Finally, what would Thanksgiving be without the desserts? This sweet potato pie recipe was a hit, and can be made ahead and frozen to bake on the big day with less work for the chef!
Whatever your plans this holiday, from our families to yours… Happy Thanksgiving!