This is my must have at Thanksgiving. I am very picky (yeah, I am a diva about this one meal.) about what my mom makes for Thanksgiving dinner. It’s the same menu every year. We have made a FEW small changes in the 15 years since we started doing a small family meal. Here’s our list.
Turkey: We do a small turkey breast in the Instant Pot (8 qt). I do basically this. But I rarely have fresh herbs and I use this for chicken broth.
Mashed Potatoes and Gravy (we usually do store bought because tradition)
Cranberry Sauce: Must be Ocean Spray with no berries and I want to see the lines from the can when it’s on the table. Because tradition.
Rolls: store bought but I might make them this year. I haven’t decided.
Green Bean Casserole: We use Campbell’s recipe
Sweet Potato Casserole:
-3 cups sweet potatoes (cooked and mashed)
-1 tsp vanilla
-1 cup sugar
-1 stick butter
-2 eggs
-1/2 cup canned milk
topping
-1/3 cup butter (unmelted)
-1/3 flour
-1 cup brown sugar
-1 cup chopped pecans
Combine mashed potatoes with other ingredients. Pour into Crisco-greased 1 1/2-quart casserole. To make the topping, lightly mix and put on the top of potatoes. This will spread when it melts. Cook at 350 until brown.
Broccoli Casserole
-2 boxes frozen chopped broccoli
-1 can cream of mushroom soup
-2 eggs (beaten)
-1 cup mayonnaise
-1 cup grated cheddar cheese
-dash of salt and pepper
-1 large can mushrooms (drained and chopped)
-Ritz crackers
Cook broccoli according to directions and drain. Mix with other ingredients and place in a buttered baking dish. Sprinkle with 2-3 finely crumbled Ritz crackers. Drizzle with a little melted butter. Bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes
Cornbread Dressing:
-1 box of cornbread (already made)
-1/2 cup grits (cooked)
-1 1/2 quarts chicken or turkey broth
-1/2 cup onions (diced)
-1/2 cup celery (diced)
-6 to 8 slices toasted bread
-4 eggs, beaten
-Salt, seasoned salt, sage, and pepper to taste
-1/3 cup butter (melted)
Cook grits in 2 cups of water, salt, and butter. In large bowl crumble baked corn bread and toast. Add remaining ingredients. Stir to blend. Bake in a cast iron skillet or baking dish for 40 to 45 minutes at 350.
For dessert we used to to pumpkin pie but now we have a friend make us a sweet potato pie. It’s so much better. I am going to try finding a recipe this year and will report back.
Enjoy your meal with friends and family!!