Monday, November 25, 2013

MY FIRST THANKSGIVING


Well, it took 42 years, but I am finally having my first Thanksgiving at my house. I am 25 weeks pregnant, so I will not be making the turkey or ham, but my kids and I are making all the sides and desserts. I am excited about our menu, so I wanted to share some of the great tried and true recipes and some new ones. Click on dish for recipe:

MENU
  1. Spiral Cut Glazed Ham (purchased at Bjs)
  2. Smoked Turkey (purchased from a local meat market)
WHY I LOVE THESE RECIPES
  1. This ham is delicious and easy because it is already cooked and cut.  Leftovers make amazing split pea soup.
  2. This is a new one.  I have always loved smoked turkey, but never tried to do it myself.  When I saw the local meat market was offering these for $30 for a 10-12 pound turkey, I ordered one.
  3. I am Cuban, so I had never eaten collard greens until a few years ago.  I had really good ones and loved them.  This year there were collards in our CSA box, so I had to turn to Youtube to figure out how to make them.  This video is engaging and these really are the best collards ever.  She gives a recipe list at the beginning of video.
  4. I found this recipe through Swagbucks last week.  As my plan indicates I prepared it yesterday and it is by far the BEST macaroni n' cheese I have ever tasted.  Printable recipe here.
  5. I tried mashed potato stuffing years ago and it is the most amazing combination.  I've made it several times and it is always delicious and always a hit.
  6. Tried and true!
  7. I have made this pie once before and let's just say, it disappeared!
  8. My daughter loves pumpkin pie and I have never made one.  This year she will attempt this Paula Deen recipe.
HERE IS THE PLAN:

SUNDAY
  • Prepare macaroni n' cheese, cover with foil, write directions on foil.
  • Prepare green bean casserole, cover with foil, write directions on foil.
  • Put ham in refrigerator to thaw out.

MONDAY
  • Prepare mashed potato stuffing, cover with foil, write directions on sticky note. (this gets cooked with foil on, so I didn't want the fumes from a sharpie wafting in the oven)
  • Prepare bacon and onions for collard greens.

WEDNESDAY
  • Make pies
  • Pick up Turkey

THURSDAY
  • Heat up ham at 11:00 a.m. according to directions (keep warm with foil and towel)
  • Heat up turkey at 11:00 a.m. according to directions (keep warm with foil and towel)
  • Start collards at 10:30, they need a good two hours to cook
  • Noon, heat up remaining casseroles
  • 1:00 Eat
We will be having a quiet Thanksgiving with a friend who is a single mom and her four kids, my husband and I and our four kids.

I am looking forward to a new tradition and hesitant about it at the same time. Thanksgiving was my favorite time of year as a kid, we ALWAYS did the same thing. It was constant and it was sure, there was comfort in that for me. Over the years, I have shared dinner responsiblities with others, I have made and brought dishes, I have made nothing, but I have never been the hostess. I did it this year out of necessity more than anything, which is not always the best motiviation. I have hope that it will be fun, thankFULL and a blessing to all of us.

I have so much to be thankful for; a new husband, four great kids and a little boy on the way, my health, healing, strong faith, great friends, the body of Christ and so much more...

What are you thankful for this year?

Blog Widget by LinkWithin