Over the river and through the woods…

As Thanksgiving approaches I thought it might be nice to post some of my favorite recipes as well as a few of the special traditions our family has come to appreciate over the years. Many of these traditions began “over the river and through the woods”…

After my grandparents passed away, I took over the “Thanksgiving Day Feast.” My grandma was an excellent cook. She enjoyed it too. My grandpa was in charge of cooking “the bird” and every year it got better and better. I can remember him chowing down on the turkey’s neck and giblets prior to us sitting down to the “main event.” He was a foodie. I don’t think there was anything he didn’t eat! Here is a recipe that has been passed down from generation to generation.

Grandma’s Cream Cabbage Slaw

1 1/2 Cup Milk or Half & Half

1/2 Cup Vinegar

8 Tbsp. Sugar

3/4 Head of Cabbage (Shredded)

Green onions

Mix first three ingredients. Adjust sugar and vinegar to taste. Add shredded cabbage and slice green onions on top.

One of the other items we ALWAYS had on the table was marinated herring BOTH in sour cream and pickled. I continue to have it on my Thanksgiving table every year and help myself to a nice size portion in honor of my grandpa.

As a child, I remember my mother made a very good cranberry salad. Because I make HUGE volumes of food on the “big day”, I’ve opted to make a much simpler version which our guests, including my mother seem to love. Here it is…

Cranberry Sauce

12 Ounce package of cranberries

1 Cup White Sugar

1 Cup Orange Juice

In a medium sized saucepan over medium heat, dissolve the sugar in the orange juice. Stir in the cranberries and cook until the cranberries start to pop (about 10 minutes). Remove from heat and place sauce in a bowl. Cranberry sauce will thicken as it cools.

I will continue to post some other family favorites including my Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Buttercream Icing. TO BE CONTINUED…

Thoughts for today…

1. Family traditions make holidays even better!
2. I am a foodie…just like my grandpa.
3. Choose JOY everyday!