Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. We get to stop and reflect on God’s blessings and provisions of the past year. I also love thinking about the original Thanksgiving story and sharing that with my kids. It truly is a miraculous story! My favorite part is that the Pilgrims met an English speaking Native American (Samoset). Talk about a provision from God!
Each year we gather together on the farm to celebrate. When we arrive, the kitchen is warm and everywhere you look are favorite foods- pies on the counters, warm bread next to the oven, corn casserole just coming out of the oven, and a cheese tray on the kitchen table for us all to enjoy while the finishing touches are put on the meal.
Today I want to share some of these family favorites with you
I thought I’d share some of our favorite sides and sweets, and our favorite starter.
Let’s start with the starter. {wink} This is the cheese tray that my mom usually makes. As you can see, it contains simple components that are easy to find at any grocery store. On the bottom left corner of the tray is the Encrusted Brie with Pepper Jelly that she has been making for years. It is scrumptious (and completely easy to make, but your guest will never know.)
The meal begins, and along with a delicious turkey are a few favorite sides.
This corn casserole has been in the family for years. I think my Aunt Cary introduced it when I was a kid. It’s basically a cross between corn bread and creamed corn, and it’s absolutely wonderful.
We also enjoy some delicious warm bread. This bucket bread recipe is a staple. With a crusty outside and a soft, chewy inside, you can’t go wrong. (p.s. There is not kneading in this recipe!)
This Sweet Potato Pie is a perfect side dish tradition.
Molly’s Ambrosia salad is light and refreshing.
And then we have to have Shelby’s Pineapple Pretzel Salad. Crunchy, salty, sweet perfection.
These Cornucopia Cookies are new this year. The kids and I made them last week, and they were fun and adorable. We might have to whip up another batch for Thanksgiving Day.
My grandma introduced this Upside Down Caramel Apple Pie to the family, and it has also become a highly requested dessert. Its kind of like apple pie and caramel rolls all in one.
Cherry Pie My mom began picking sour cherries and and making the best cherry pies when she was first married over forty years ago. They are a must at Thanksgiving.
Molly’s French Chocolate Pie is a cool, creamy, chocolate indulgence.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this little round-up of Thanksgiving favorites. Now, tell me, what are some of yours?
Psalm 107:1 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,for his steadfast love endures forever!
I know you were focusing more on sides and desserts, but I can never do Thanksgiving without what Mom (Aunt Roma) calls Celery Dressing. It’s a good bread dressing with oysters. We lived down South for quite a few years and they make Cornbread Dressing down there (grainy and dull tasting to me), but we continued to make our delicious regular bread dressing. It was adapted from Grandma Ruby’s Dressing, which I notice has half a pound of hamburger or sausage! We leave that out. And we have mashed potatoes, the obligatory green bean casserole and a yummy gelled mandarin orange salad – the recipe for which I got from my college roommate. Thanks for sharing your favorite recipes and have a blessed Thanksgiving!