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Monday, November 14, 2011

My Family's Favorite Thanksgiving Recipes

Thanksgiving 2010
l-r: Casey, Nathan, Eric & SeDonna
This week's blog topic is Thanksgiving recipes made healthy. But I cannot tell a lie.

I don't do Thanksgiving healthy. Every year, I make Thanksgiving dinner the way I always have, fat and calories be damned. Then everyone at my table eats himself or herself into a stupor and enjoys every delicious minute. I know I do. It's just one day out of 365. Geez.

I usually do both ham and turkey with bread dressing like my mom's, cranberry sauce, homemade rolls and pumpkin pie, with green beans and corn as a nod to balance. My brother and his wife usually join my two sons and me for dinner, and each of them has another favorite side dish/dessert to go along. Here the recipes.

* * *

CASEY'S BROCCOLI SALAD
SALAD:
1 bunch broccoli, chopped small
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/4 cup red onion, chopped small
DRESSING:
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoons vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar

Combine salad ingredients in a bowl, then stir together dressing ingredients and pour over, stirring to combine. This is good topped with crumbled bacon, but I serve that on the side since Casey is a vegetarian.

* * *

NATHAN'S CHEESY POTATOES
1 bag frozen hash browns
1/2 stick butter
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup sour cream
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Arrange hash browns in a greased 13 X 9 inch baking pan. Combine remaining ingredients in a medium saucepan and stir over low heat until melted. Pour over hash browns. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes or until golden brown.

* * *

SEDONNA'S SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE
3 cups mashed, cooked sweet potatoes
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup milk
1/3 cup margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup flaked coconut
1/ cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/3 cup flour
1/3 cup margarine, melted
1 cup chopped pecans

Combine mashed sweet potatoes, sugar, milk, 1/3 cup margarine, vanilla and eggs; set aside. Thoroughly combine coconut, brown sugar, flour, 1/3 cup margarine and pecans in another bowl. Spoon 1/2 sweet potato mixture into a lightly greased 8-inch square pan; sprinkle with half the coconut-pecan topping. Repeat with remaining ingredients. Bake, uncovered, at 375 degrees for 25 minutes.

* * *


ERIC'S CHOCOLATE CHIP PECAN PIE
3 large eggs
1 1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup pecans, halves or pieces

Beat eggs slightly with fork. Stir in syrup, sugar and vanilla until blended. Add chocolate pieces and pecans. Mix well. Pour into unbaked pie shell (I use Pillsbury!) and bake at 375 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes or until knife comes out clean.

And there you have it: instructions for a feast fit for royalty. Regardless of which way you go - healthy or not so much - I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Author: Pam Asberry
Website: http://pamasberry.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/pamasberryfanpage
Twitter: http://twitter.com/pamasberry

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Broccoli salad is one of my favorites!! Love that stuff, and apple cider vinegar is so good for you!
I'm hungry now,
Neecy

Jennifer Shirk said...

Oooh, that sweet potato casserole sounds heavenly!

Pam Asberry said...

I use whatever kind of vinegar I have on hand, Neecy, but my favorite is apple cider vinegar. And remember, broccoli salad isn't just for Thanksgiving! :-)

eric said...

Neeeeed .... piiiiiie!!!!!

Pam Asberry said...

It is fabulous, Jennifer. SeDonna chooses it over dessert, LOL!

Pam Asberry said...

Since we won't be together for Thanksgiving, bro, maybe we should get together the weekend after. And I'll bring pie!! :-)

Buffy said...

The pecan pie sounds best to me -- sadly, I don't like mayo -- it's one of my few food hates!

The coffeeshop I share a wall with has pecan pie with cream cheese. Um, yum.

Julee J. Adams said...

Excellent--keepers all! I'd have to make it my own, but that's the point, isn't it? I'll return the favor soon, promise.

Have a super week and thanks!

Pam Asberry said...

I wish I didn't like mayonnaise, Buffy - LOL! And there you go tempting me with that coffee shop again. A trip to Denver is sounding better all the time... ;-)

Pam Asberry said...

Of course you would have to make them your own, Julee - recipes are mere guidelines, right? Hope you have a great week, too!

Bryonna Nobles said...

Those sound like amazing recipes. For Thanksgiving I go to a family reunion. I use to be able to bring whatever I like but this will be my second Thanksgiving without my grandmother. It was her favorite holiday and like last year, I will make her recipes along with Bourbon Pecan Pie, Strawberry Pie, and pumpkin pie.

Thank you for sharing your recipes and a bit about your own Thanksgiving.

Pam Asberry said...

That sounds like a great way to honor your grandmother's memory, Bryonna. I love bourbon pecan pie too, but now I HAVE to make the chocolate chip version for my brother! Maybe I should make two - one for him and one for me!

Tami Brothers said...

Wow! Sounds yummy! Love the sound of that Choc Chip Pecan Pie!!!

Pam Asberry said...

It is delicious and not as rich as you might think, Tami - definitely not as rich as the German Chocolate Pie I blogged about Between Birthdays. Try it - I dare you!