My favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner is the group around the table. For one reason or another many people don't make it "home" for this holiday and for us that often means an eclectic group of people, not just family, come together. One of our friends who moved into a new house is hosting this year, so my husband and I and my in-law family will join her and other friends to help "bless the house."
The only rule every year: whoever shows up must contribute to the pile of Christmas presents we wrap and send off to those with less to be thankful for -- one year it's through a church facility, another year a disenfranchised family; this year a woman's shelter. Last year a college student in our family drew the name of a teenager in a struggling family. With her presents, she included a note inviting the girl to visit her college for a day. The girl took her up on the offer and a new, unlikely friendship was born, to the enrichment of both young women.
While most of us wrap presents, the cook is arranging our feast!
As I confessed yesterday on Joanna's blog, I'm kitchen challenged and can't turn out anything complicated. Here are two day-care level recipes. I'll take these to share and hope there's someone like Joanna at the dinner!
The irony is that both recipes were given to me by my cousin, who could make a 20-step recipe without breaking stress level #1.
CRANBERRY SQUARES
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 cup flour
1/3 cup melted butter
1 1/4 cup fresh whole cranberries
1/2 cup chopped nuts
Mix everything together. Batter will be sticky. Spread in greased baking dish, 8- or 9-inches. Bake in 350 oven for about 30 minutes, until golden brown. Tester should come out clean.
CRANBERRY CHUTNEY
2 cups sugar
1 bag. fresh cranberries
1 cup whole raisins
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ginger
1/4 tsp. allspice
1/4 tsp. salt
2 cups pineapple tidbits
Mix everything except pineapple. Cook to boiling, then simmer 20 minutes. Add pineapple tidbits. Remove from heat and refrigerate when cool.
If anyone has a one bowl, one stir recipe, please share it!
Happy Thanksgiving!
8 comments:
What a lovely photo! Happy Holidays to you and yours, Camille. The cranberry squares sound great.
This is just a little more than one bowl and one stir but it is pretty simple ... AND GOOD!!! Discovered at one potluck and has been success at two other potlucks!!!
GARDEN SALAD
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup white vinegar
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp green bean liquid
Mix above ingredients in saucepan. Slowly boil until sugar dissolves. Set aside and let cool.
In a large bowl, combine:
1 can (12 oz) white shoepeg corn, drained
1 can (17 oz) sweet peas, drained
1 can (16 oz) french style green beans, drained
1 2 oz jar diced pimentos, drained
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped green peppers
Pour cooled liquid over vegetables; toss. Refrigerate overnight.
Anything that starts out with sugar ... I'm there!
Misterreereeder, may I add your recipe to my personal blog? I'd like to share it!
I like your Thanksgiving tradition and the way you described it. I'm in the throes of frantic rewriting - my manuscript is due Dec. 1 - your recipes sound perfect for the amount of time I have. Thanks and have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
"The" cousin takes a bow. I'm making the squares constantly, and just delivered a batch this a.m. xoxoxox Happy eating to ALL.
Yes THE cousin is a regular contributor here so I knew I had to acknowledge her!
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