This year was the first year we are in our house so we did a Thanksgiving dinner at our house. With my Dad, grandparents and my great Grandmother. I am so excited to cook my first thanksgiving dinner. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because it is not about how much money you spend on people, it isn't about the gifts you received. But it is about family, food and football. But most importantly baking, my favorite hobby! There is nothing better in my opinion then family sitting around eating food with football on. I am making the usual turkey, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, deviled eggs, green bean casserole, sweet potato's with marshmallow toping, mashed potatoes, pecan pie, pumpkin pie. and my great Grandmas raspberry Jell-O salad. My grandmother grew up in England and as far as I know she brought this recipe with her. I also do not like canned veggies or fruits. So I have fresh green beans, a bag of fresh cranberries. Everything I do in the oven is at 350 degrees.
This year I am very thankful. I married my best friend! I have been fortunate enough to stay home and raise my little boy. It is the biggest blessing being home with him everyday. I also watch some friends kids to help bring in some extra money. We bought our first house. It will be our forever home! We added a furry child to our lives and although the dog hair drives me crazy she is perfect for our family. We are expecting a little girl around new years who will complete our family! I am thankful for the constant support of family and friends that are in my life. I am thankful that we are in a house were I can finally host things like thanksgiving and football. I am thankful for my weekly blog, it is on hour a week to myself and I am hopefully helping other moms! And today I am especially thankful for coffee so I can be the best mommy I can be and get the house and pie baking done for thanksgiving. My husband knows I stress myself out to much, so I am doing the pies one day, the cleaning the next and deviled eggs. Then the Thanksgiving morning I will make the potatoes and casserole and such. His words were we don't need decorations we just need food everywhere. However I like centerpieces and pretties everywhere. His job is football watching. I will make sure everything fits on the tables! I am posting these before thanksgiving so if you would like some recipes here they are!
Raspberry Jell-O Salad
1 large box Raspberry Jell-O,
1 Cup boiling water
In a sauce pan add jello and water. Bring to a boil. Let boil for 2 minutes stirring constantly. Set timer once it starts to boil. Add 1 package of frozen raspberries. And 1 package of thawed frozen raspberries. Stir until dissolved. About 5 minutes. Then stir in 2 cups of original applesauce. Stir for 5 more minutes to insure everything is combined. If you don't it will become a weird texture. Then Pour into a 9x13 pan or I like to put into three 3 cup Pyrex. Because storing is easier. Cover and put into refrigerator until set.
Then for the topping!
1 16 oz. tub of sour cream
about half a bag of small marshmallows. (about 40)
Stir constantly until combined and pour over raspberry mixture. Put into fridge for a couple hours and serve cold. Cut like a cake! This is a family favorite.
Cranberry Sauce
from fresh Cranberries
My cranberry sauce is pretty simple I add the cranberries into a saucepan with some sugar, (I never measure I just use my sugar pouring thing. I got it at the dollar store. I put these on low heat about two hours before eating time and stir often enough that it does stick or burn to the pan. so yummy and delicious. The sugar will create liquid and the cranberries melt down. You can add more or less sugar depending how sweet or tart you like it.
Green Bean Casserole
from fresh green beans
I never really a recipe for this one, it always turns out about the same though. I cut the ends off green beans and then cut into thirds. I put into a large bowl, add two cans of cream of chicken soup, 1 can of cream of mushroom soup. (you can mix and match these but I do not like mushrooms so I put 1 in. but 2 cans of cream of something) then I add salt, pepper, onion powder, half of a can of crispy onions, and a tiny splash of water so it is not thick. Stir everything and pour into a 9x13 pan greased pan. Add the rest of the crispy onions on top (enough to cover/ I always add extra because I like the crunch) sprinkle salt and pepper and through into oven for about 30-45 minutes at the onions will be crispy and the middle will be warm and delicious.
Sweet Potatoes with marshmallows
This is fairly easy but I understand that some people burn cereal. I peal and then cut into about one inch chunks. and put potatoes into a Paula Dean Dutch Oven with a lid. Then I sprinkle them with cinnamon, add chunks of butter randomly even and into the oven it goes. It takes about 30 minutes to cook. you want the potatoes to be tender that they break with a fork. Then I add big marshmallows all over the top of it. Covering all the potatoes and back into the oven until the marshmallows are brown on top. It does not take very long at all. I have to put my hand on the oven handle and do not let go. they burn really fast. And need checked often to get them just right. If I get distracted they burn. Here is a picture of the desserts I made! I added a lace around the pecan pie with extra pie crust. And some random leaf shapes around the pumpkin. I also made a couple hearts to put on the pumpkin pie after it was cooked.
The Dog treats are very simple, healthy and way cheaper then store bought ones. its 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup peanut butter, 1/4 cup broth (I alternate between chicken or beef just whatever I have more of) and 1/4 cup applesauce. (I have used original and cinnamon either will do). Mix all together, I add some more flour if needed so they are not sticky. Then cut into bone shapes and bake at 350 or 20 minutes. Picture of these are on instagram.
Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. I will post again next week about how my first turkey cooking adventure goes. XOXO much Love Whitney
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