I have hit the age in life where I have “usuals”. Meaning that for every holiday dinner, there are certain things that I always make and bring. Motherhood/Womanhood right of passage I guess. It’s not nearly as cracked up as young RB thought it would be HA!, but I have to say that I do enjoy it :). I thought it would be fun to continue the Thanksgiving posts with my usual Thanksgiving recipes I bring to both Thanksgiving dinners we attend…
To both my side of the family and the Browns – I usually bring three of the same dishes to each: Sweet Potatoes, Cream Cheese Corn, and Pumpkin Pies. I wish I could tell you that I have beautiful pics of each, but remember when I told you I was not exactly a food blogger :)? So let’s just imagine most of it…
Sweet Potato Casserole- This is one of my most favorite dishes at Thanksgiving – my favorite one ever was actually at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse. After I had it the first time, I knew that I needed to Pinterest that recipe and make it for our next Thanksgiving. This is the recipe I use and its AMAZING!
A few tips: Double the topping ingredients if you love crunchy, sticky, goodness! Also, add marshmallows to the top for the last few minutes of baking to give it all the good things that come with sweet potatoes! I have used both fresh sweet potatoes and canned- canned is just as good and actually bakes up better. The fresh ones can make it thinner and take longer to cook. I have to make this twice every Thanksgiving – once in the morning and then again after our lunch meal before we go to the Browns. It is pretty much like a dessert and everyone loves it. You can also omit the nuts too.
Cream Cheese Corn – Ok this one is not pinned (yet! I will pin it after I make it this Thanksgiving with pictures) as it is a recipe I ate years ago and have modified :). It is super easy and SO GOOD! All you need is a big bag of frozen corn, two things of cream cheese, two sticks of butter, and salt and pepper. Dump your corn in a big pot with a cup or two of water and cook. When you are simmering and thawed, add the cream cheese and butter in chunks so it will melt faster. Turn down the heat so the cream cheese does not scorch – and let every thing melt down. You will stir a lot. Once everything is melted and simmering, add salt and pepper to taste. Let this simmer, stirring frequently for at least 15 minutes so it can thicken up. If it is too soupy, you can always add more cream cheese – if it is too thick, add a little water. You can use canned corn, just make sure and drain. It is not quite as good – but can you really go wrong with cream cheese, butter, and corn!? This one is a major crowd pleaser :).
Pumpkin Pies! Ok I just use the recipe on the back of the Libby’s can – super easy and reliable. I do add like triple the amount of pumpkin pie spice it asks for – I just like that strong, spicy taste and I have not had a complaint yet on my pies :). I also just use frozen pie crusts – still wonderful and adds time back in my day of cooking. (RB advice: don’t you ever ever EVER let anyone shame you for things like frozen pie crust – instead smash their face with said pie HA!) I have to make 4 every Thanksgiving as I take two to each meal – and I always exchange a pumpkin pie for a pecan pie with my mother in law :). I prefer homemade whipped cream or cool whip over canned whipped cream – just my preference. Again, I am sure I would not turn any cream down HA! Funny story- if you have been around long enough, you know this one: We used to have a pug named Cooper (RIP to my first baby) – and he loved pie, pumpkin more than anything. One year, when he was well over 10 years old, I had the pies chilling on the dining room table, our bar height table (!!!), and Cooper somehow scaled the table and dragged the pies down! He, along with our french bulldog Oscar (RIP to my handsome boy) had themselves quite the time eating my pie before young Owen walked in and accidentally stepped in said pie and freaked out. It will forever be known as the Thanksgiving the dogs ate the pie. Now we have Dobermans that are tall enough to get them down from pretty much anywhere, and they LOVE pumpkin, so we have to keep them in the microwave….
So those are my usuals. Another tip is to do grocery pickup for your Thanksgiving needs. Grocery stores are going to be insane this week and next – go ahead and get your orders in and that way you know you will get what you need, no forgetting or things out of stock, and you don’t have to fight the crowds!
Happy Cooking! Stay tuned – a post coming later this week is my Thanksgiving Eve recipes that I know y’all will LOVE!
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