Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving, that all American holiday. It's about family, togetherness and remembering the things and people in our life that we are thankful for. We all gather at grandma's house, mom's house or, as time goes by, someone in the younger generation who has picked up the traditions of our family and is keeping them alive.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, and while all that may be true, we all know that it's really about the food. Food that is traditional to the holiday itself and food that is family favorites that have been passed down through the years. Copious amounts of food that can be enjoyed on Thanksgiving itself and for days afterward as the coveted leftovers.

Ahh....the bird, the Thanksgiving turkey, which is eaten probably in 95 per cent of households on this day. There may be people who go the ham route or some other special cut of meat, but for the most part, turkey is to Thanksgiving what Santa Claus is to Christmas.

Now the sides are almost as important as the main dish. Mashed potatoes is a given as is gravy. Cranberry sauce is a common side to the meal. There can be homemade cranberry sauce with varying additions.

While this whole berry cranberry sauce was very good, I still have to admit that my favorite cranberry sauce will always be........

I can't help myself, it will always be my first love.

Another Thanksgiving favorite is sweet potatoes with little tiny marshmallows melted on top,

Some people have macaroni and cheese with their feast or salads, many different kind of veggies, rolls and dumplings. Then there is the favorite, traditional, much maligned, ever controversial and the dish that can go down in Thanksgiving lore........the green bean casserole.

With it's crunchy, fried onions out of the can, and cream of mushroom soup (although, I used cream of onion and cream of chicken soup) it's been the fodder of comedians for years. But I have to say, I like a good green bean casserole. I only have it on Thanksgiving and I make it like the recipe on the can of fried onions.

I'm sure the green bean casserole could be tweaked to make it healthier. It could be switched up any number of way. I've even seen some "remodeling" of the casserole on cooking shows. But, for me, it just wouldn't say Thanksgiving. I'll leave it the way it is.

Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday, there are no  gifts to buy, no cards to send and no decorations to put up. It's all about being with those you love, whether it be family or friends or a combination of both. It's about reflecting on the past year and realizing how much everyone means to you and not taking anyone or anything for granted. It's about counting our blessings.
And it's about stuffing yourself like there is no tomorrow and still having room for pumpkin pie or maybe an apple pie for desert. Then as you sit back on your couch or recliner, in your turkey coma, it's all about the other tradition of Thanksgiving...

Watching football.

I hope your Thanksgiving was a wonderful as mine.


Kathy