Friday, November 28, 2008

Traditions

Every family has traditions. In our family, we have quite a few. Whenever we have Thanksgiving dinner, my brother always has to tell the story of my first Thanksgiving turkey. When he is done, then I do the explaining.

You see, my first Thanksgiving turkey was cooked by me - all by myself - at the ripe old age of 18. I was scared to death that the turkey would not be done - so I overcooked it a bit. It came out beautiful, deep golden brown - but it was very dry. However, no one got food poisoning from underdone turkey!

To hear him tell the story, as soon as we punctured the skin with a knife, the whole turkey deflated and turned to dust. And every slice of turkey soaked up a cup of gravy. How we had slices when the turkey had already turned to dust, I have no idea!

I have cooked many turkeys since then and have it perfected now!

Another tradition is going around the table, one-by-one and telling what we are thankful for.

One of my favorite traditional foods for Thanksgiving is sweet potatoes. My mom usually fixes some savory and I fix them sweet. This year she did them with leeks and bacon - ummy yummy! As soon as I get the recipe from her, I will pass it on to you! Today, though, I am going to give you my "recipe" for sweet potatoes. Sorry, no picture as they got left at Mom's!

Sweet Potatoes Raquel

3-4 pounds sweet potatoes, scrubbed and the ends cut off

Bake them in a 350F oven on a cookie sheet lined with foil (for easy cleanup) for about an hour, until good and done.

Take out of oven and let them cool. Slit them open and scrape out the flesh into a bowl. Mash it up good.

To the potatoes add:
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (or more to taste)
1/4 cup whipping cream
1/4 cup orange juice
Grated rind of one smallish orange
1/3 cup butter, diced

Mix that all up good. Place in a greased 11x7 pan. Cover with mini marshmallows and bake at 350 for 30 minutes or so, until marshmallows are good and brown.

This makes a goodly amount (we ended up with 13 at dinner yesterday) so decrease amounts to suit your taste. Also amounts are approximate as I do not measure - so to your taste! This can be made ahead to the point of adding the marshmallows and refrigerated. Just remember to take it out of the fridge at least an hour before you bake it.

The orange juice and orange rind were new this year and I quite like it!

So what are some of your traditions?

5 comments:

Jennifer said...

That sounds delicious, I need to make it for Xmas dinner. We do the same thing, go around the table and say what we are thankful for, and Dad does a really long prayer!

Marie Rayner said...

My boss says that it wouldn't be Thanksgiving unless something happened to the turkey. Your yams sound fabulous!!!

Jan said...

Sounds good, Raquel. But as I don't have much of a sweet tooth, I think mum's leek and bacon would have the edge. I'll look forward to seeing her recipe.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Anonymous said...

Sweet potatoes sound so yummy, I cant eat turkey its one of my food algies i have,
Take care

Tracy said...

Thanksgiving is my very favorite holiday! I love your recipe for sweet potatoes...you hooked me on the pumpkin pie spice! ;o) Speaking of pumpkin pie...that is my favorite part of the meal...although I love it all but the turkey...LOL! Happy Holidays ((HUGS))