My family called it Piggy Pudding, a topping for any and all pies and a favorite for breakfast the next day;

1 box each of Jello – orange, lemon and lime for Thanksgiving and red and green for Christmas

Ripe but firm bananas

Red seedless grapes cut in half

A large quantity of whipped cream

Prepare jellos in shallow pans – I like pie pans myself, easily stacked to conserve fridge space while setting

Slice bananas and grapes into a suitable size bowl (we had a large family) – glass is great for presentation!

Cube the jellos into the bowl, fold in the whipped cream, keep cold until ready to dollop onto deserts!

I have prepared this for years for the diabetics in my family, changing only to sugar free Jello and sweetener for the whipped cream.  A cold creamy refreshing contrast to the warm spice of the pumpkin pie!

---Jim Lowman from LaGrange, CA

 

I'm adding one thing to this recipe so please delete the first one I sent.  Thanks

Margie Anderson of Del Mar

Growing up, we always started holiday meals with a small fresh shrimp cocktail served in individual stemmed crystal glasses.  The recipe for the sauce is simple and delicious.

SEAFOOD COCKTAIL SAUCE

1/4 cup mayonnaise

3/4 cup catsup or store-bought cocktail sauce

Lemon juice, to tasteTobasco sauce, to taste

Worcestershire sauce, to taste

Horseradish, to taste

Minced celery, optional  

I've also used shrimp cocktails as an appetizer for a party by filling a large bowl with the shrimp and cocktail sauce and then letting guests serve themselves in small bowls with celery sticks on the side to add. 

And, as entertaining has gotten more casual and so many food items are readily available for take-out, I recommend the cocktail sauce at The Fish Market.

Also from Margie Anderson of Del Mar 

CRAISIN SALAD

1 head green lettuce

1 head red lettuce

1 cup sliced almonds, toasted

4 granny smith apples, sliced or cubed

1 pkg craisins (dried cranberries)

4 stalks celery, sliced

1 bunch green onions, sliced

 

Dressing:

1/2 cup olive oil

1/2 - 3/4 cup honey

1/4 - 1/3 cup lemon juice

2 tsp. prepared mustard, or to your taste

 

Margaret Cox - Carmel Valley/San Diego

I’m not a cook, but in 2013, when I tried this recipe, I was asked to bring it for the next several years.

Mari Cox

Marguerite Walker from San Diego and Darlene Denver of Encinitas, too! 

 

Orange Praline Yams

 

4 pounds peeled, sliced and cooked yams or sweet potatoes

2/3 cup orange juice

1 T. grated orange rind

5 T. brandy

1 tsp. salt

Fresh ground pepper to taste

1 tsp. ground ginger

4 T. butter, melted

1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed

3 egg yolks

 

Beat yams in a mixing bowl with an electric mixer until smooth.

Mix in remaining ingredients, beating until mixture is light and fluffy.

Butter a 2-quart casserole and pour in yam mixture, smoothing top evenly.

 

 

Praline Topping:

 

2/3 cup light brown sugar, packed

8 T. butter, melted

1 cup chopped pecans

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

 

Mix all ingredients in a small bowl and spread evenly over yams.

Bake casserole at 350 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.

Remove from oven and let stand 10 minutes before serving.

 

Serves 10 to 12

Aunt Elsie

Here is my recipe entitled Aunt Elsie

It is really escalloped pineapple which my family lore has it that my Aunt Elsie paid $50 in the 50’s. So that was big money in those days

Elsie

2 cans pineapple chunks in heavy syrup. (Not in juice)

2 sticks butter melted

2 eggs

1/2 cup whole milk

11/2 cups white sugar
1 quart white bread cube (I use Wonder bread 

Mix melted butter, eggs, milk, sugar together then add pineapple with syrup mix with a spoon.  Lastly add bread cubes put in Pyrex dish 9 by 12.  And bake in oven. 350 degrees until baked and brown. about 30-45 min 

Cyndie Corzine from San Diego

Here are 2 family favorites:

Shrimp and Mirliton (Chayote) Dressing

6 mirliton (Chayote), boiled , peeled, seed removed, cubed
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 green pepper, chopped
2 toes garlic, chopped
1/2 cup celery, chopped
2 tsp fresh parsley, chopped
2 eggs , slightly beaten
1 cup fresh bread crumbs
Dash liquid crab boil, Zatarains
1 bay leaf
1 lb. raw peeled & deveined shrimp (31-40 count)
Salt, coarse ground black pepper, cayenne to taste
Olive oil
Coat bottom of a large skillet with olive oil.  Sauté onions, celery, green pepper until soft.  Add garlic and cook 1 more min.  Add mirliton and cook another 15 mins. ,season with salt, peppers and liquid crab boil.  Add bay leaf.  Stir in bread crumbs and beaten eggs .  Mirliton will release a lot of water, once this is all incorporated add parsley and shrimp.  Stir well , cover skillet and turn off heat.  Let sit for 5 mins., shrimp should be pink.  Spray a baking dish with Pam about nd put dressing in it and bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 25-30 mins.  Enjoy

Potato Dressing

3 cups peeled , cubed red or gold potatoes
3 cups peeled, cubed sweet potatoes
2 bunches green onions, green & white parts, chopped
3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
2 tsp olive oil
2 tsp butter
Garlic Salt, coarse ground black pepper and cayenne to taste
Heat olive oil and butter in a Dutch oven until butter is melted.  Stir in both kinds of potatoes cooking about 15 mins until they are fork tender retaining their form.  Add green onions and cook until tender.  Season with garlic salt, and peppers.  Stir in Parmesan cheese and taste for seasoning.  You might need to add a little more olive oil if dressing is too dry.

Mary Chamberlin of Carmel, CA

Thelma’s Pumpkin Buckle

Goodbye Pumpkin Pie

 

(My very dear Friend, Thelma Agopian lives in Paris and Martha’s Vineyard.  This is a recipe she created during her summer time at the Vineyard.  Great for Thanksgiving!)

 

 

Buckle Batter

1/2 cup melted butter

1-cup flour

1-cup sugar

1-cup milk

4 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla

Pour melted butter into a large shallow baking dish or pan that has been sprayed with PAM. 

Mix remaining ingredients and pour batter mixture over the top of the butter while pan is hot.

 

Pumpkin Mixture

1 - 30 oz. can pumpkin pie mix

3/4 cup evaporated milk

2 beaten eggs

1-cup dark brown sugar

1 heaping tbsp. flour

2 tsps cinnamon

1 tsp cloves

1/2 tsp nutmeg

Dash of salt

 

Gently pour pumpkin mixture onto the batter.  Bake at 350o for about 25 to 30 minutes. Serve hot or cold with whipping cream or ice cream.

And another from Mary Chamberlin of Carmel, CA

 

Thanksgiving Scalloped Corn 2

Ingredients:

3 cans of whole kernel corn drained

3 cans of creamed corn

4 eggs beaten

3 cups of crackers, crushed

1 cube melted butter

½ tsp black pepper

3 cups of evaporated milk

¼ cup dehydrated onions

salt & white pepper to taste

3 tbsps butter

 

Topping

4 cups of crushed crackers

1 1/2 cubes of melted butter

black Pepper to taste

 

Preparation

 

In large mixing bowl mix corn, creamed corn, milk, eggs and salt together.  Crush crackers and mix with the melted butter and black pepper and pour into corn mixture. Place in a  large casserole . Pour cracker crumb Topping  on top that have been mixed with melted butter.  Bake 350 oven for 1 hour.

 

This will serve a large crowd of 15 to 20 people during holiday with some leftover for the next day.

* optional

 

 

Broccoli Corn Bake

1 large pkg. of chopped frozen broccoli can be added that has been thawed in warm water.  Delete bell pepper from recipe.

 

Wendy Brickman from Monterey

 

I used to bring this salad to family Thanksgiving Dinners and it was appreciated by all of the tomato lovers! 

 

Tomato and Black Olives Marinated Salad

INGREDIENTS

½ tsp turmeric

1 c Pitted black olives

6 lg Ripe tomatoes, cut in small wedges

1/4 cup Chopped fresh watercress

 

CUMIN DRESSING

2 tsp Granulated sugar

1/4 tsp Black Pepper - freshly ground

2 cups Chopped red onions

1/3 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 tsp Salt

3/4 tsp Ground cumin

2 tb Lemon juice

INSTRUCTIONS

In a shallow container or plate, arrange the tomato slices, onions, olives and watercress.

CUMIN DRESSING Combine olive oil, lemon juice, sugar, salt, cumin, pepper and turmeric. Pour dressing over tomatoes, olives and watercress. Cover and marinate at room temperature for 1 hour or in refrigerator for several hours. Makes 6 to 8 servings

Margie Anderson from Del Mar 

CREAM OF PUMPKIN SOUP WITH CURRY

 2 T butter

1/4 cup finely chopped onion

2 - 3  t curry powder (or more, if desired)

1 T flour

2  14 oz cans chicken broth

1 15oz can pumpkin

1 t brown sugar 

1/2 t mace or nutmeg

1/4 t salt, 1/8 t white pepper

1 cup 1/2 and 1/2  

Heat butter in 2 qt or larger pan.  Saute onions until limp.  Stir in curry and flour, cook until it bubbles and a little brown.  Remove from heat and gradually whisk in chicken broth.  Stir over heat while it thickens a little.  Add pumpkin and all spices.  Cook stirring constantly until simmering.  Stir in 1/2 and 1/2 and continue to heat.  DO NOT BOIL!   Thin with additional 1/2 and 1/2 or milk if necessary.  Ladle into cups or bowls.  If desired, garnish with a dollop of sour cream and minced parsley or chives.  Pass a small pitcher of warmed sherry so guests can choose to add approximately 1 tsp. 

Before Thanksgiving dinner, I have served this in little mugs and passed on a tray with the warmed sherry.  It's a nice way to take the edge off your hunger while waiting for dinner.

Margie Anderson from Del Mar 

Cranberry Christmas Cake

Tart fresh cranberries and sweet buttery cake are perfectly combined in this popular Christmas dessert!

Prep Time20 mins

Cook Time45 mins

Total Time1 hr 5 mins

Servings: 16 servings

Ingredients

• 3 eggs
• 2 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 cups all-purpose flour * see note below for gluten-free alternative
• 12 oz fresh cranberries

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. With a mixer, beat the eggs with the sugar until slightly thickened and light in color, about 5-7 minutes. The mixture should almost double in size. The eggs work as your leavening agent in this recipe, so do not skip this step. This mixture should form a ribbon when you lift the beaters out of the bowl.

• Add the butter and vanilla; mix two more minutes. Stir in the flour until just combined. Add the cranberries and stir to mix throughout.

• Spread in a buttered 9x13 pan. (This pan is my favorite!) Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until very lightly browned and a toothpick inserted near the center of the cake comes out clean. (I baked mine for 43 minutes.)

• Let cool completely before cutting into small slices about 1"x2", so that they could be easily eaten at a party. Enjoy

Patti LaBelle’s Macaroni and Wendy Brickman's Friend’s Favorite Thanksgiving Recipe

READY IN: 50 mins

SERVES: 8

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 lb macaroni
• 8 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon butter
• ¹⁄₂ cup muenster cheese, shredded
• ¹⁄₂ cup mild cheddar cheese, shredded
• ¹⁄₂ cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• ¹⁄₂ cup monterey jack cheese, shredded
• 2 cups half-and-half
• 8 ounces Velveeta cheese, cubed
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• ¹⁄₄ teaspoon seasoning salt
• ¹⁄₈ teaspoon fresh ground pepper

DIRECTIONS

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Lightly butter a deep 2 1/2 quart baking dish.
• Fill a large pot with water and bring to a rapid boil.
• Add macaroni and the 1 TB oil.
• Cook for 7 minutes, or until somewhat tender.
• Drain well, and return to the pot.
• Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, melt 8 TB of the butter.
• Stir into macaroni.
• In a large bowl, combine all of the shredded cheeses.
• To the macaroni, add 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheeses, half and half, the cubed cheese and the eggs, and the seasoned salt and pepper.
• Transfer to the prepared casserole dish, and top with remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheese.
• Dot with remaining 1 TB of the butter.
• Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and bubbly.
• Serve hot.
• Serves 8.