Favorite Thanksgiving (easy) Recipes and Traditions

So, now that Thanksgiving is almost upon us, what are some of your favorite Thanksgiving recipes and traditions? Almost every year, much of my family goes to Santa Barbara to share Thanksgiving with my aunt and uncle who live there and extended family and friends. My uncle is a diver and catches lobster for Thanksgiving dinner so most guests love having lobster and Tri-tip for Thanksgiving there. So that is one of our family traditions although as a vegetarian, those two food items are not something I eat. I love to try new recipes every year as I love to make yummy things - especially dessert - and I know I don't have to eat it all myself if it turns out good! Another tradition is that for the past few years, a group of my mom friends get together and do a pre-Thanksgiving meal to enjoy food and to try out new recipes that we may want to incorporate in our own Thanksgivings and to share our gratitude for the friendship we share. I have gotten some great recipes from these get togethers - not to mention memories. Here are a few of my favorite past recipes for dishes and desserts that were a hit at the table and in many bellies -warning - most are not very healthy though - but who cares for one day of the year right?? ! Feel free to use any of these recipes (and thank me later!)...All of these recipes are very fast and easy too!

Chopped Cabbage Salad

Ingredients:

1 cabbage chopped very small

1 bunch cilantro, finely chopped

1 cup shelled pistachios

1 1/2 cup dried cranberries

1 cup blue or goat cheese

1-2 diced avocados added at the last minute

Dressing:

4 tbs. olive oil

2 tbs. apple cider vinegar

1 tbs. white balsamic vinegar

Mix dressing ingredients together and add to the salad ingredients. At the last minute add the avocado. (I used goat cheese. Feel free to add more pistachios and add salt and pepper to flavor. Also great to add pears or chopped apples too!

Best Sweet Potato Dish!

3c sweet potatoes (baked) I use 6 of them

1/4c sugar

1/4c milk

1 tsp vanilla

2 beaten eggs

Combine all and mix. Pour into pan.

Topping:

1/2c walnuts

1/2c coconut

1/2c brown sugar

1/4c flour

1/4c melted butter

Mix until it crumbles and sprinkle it on top of the potato mixture. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until brown at 375.

Corn Souffle ("Corn Goo" as the kids call it)

1 Box Jiffy Mix

2 Eggs

1/3c melted butter

2 Cans Creamed Corn

2 Cans Whole Kernel Corn (Drained)

1 Cup Sour Cream

1/4 Cup Sugar

5 Tablespoons Butter

In a mixing bowl beat eggs. Add Jiffy Mix, all corn, sour cream and sugar. Mix together. Spray baking dish with Pam and pour mixture into dish. Press the 5 pads (1 tablespoon slices) of butter evenly under the surface of the uncooked corn souffle mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-60 minutes or until edges are golden and center is no longer jiggly. ENJOY!

This dessert is tooooo yummy to be sooo easy - I made these last year in mini cheesecake pans - yummmy!!!!!

Rich Chocolate Truffle Pie

" Semi-sweet chocolate is melted in rich heavy cream sweetened with confectioners ' sugar, and then spiked with vanilla. Whipped cream is folded into this already luscious filling and poured into a chocolate cookie crust. Chill and serve to raves."

Ingredients:

12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream 1/4 cup sifted confectioners' sugar

1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1 (9 inch) prepared c hocolate cookie crumb crust

Directions:

1.	In microwave dish combine chocolate chips and 1/2 of the cream. Cook on high for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth. Cool to room temperature. Stir in sugar & vanilla. Set aside.
2.	In small bowl, beat the rest of the cream until soft peaks form. Beat in chocolate mixture on high speed 1/3 at a time. mix well and spoon into crust.
3.	Refrigerate at least 8 hours before serving.

And a link to one of my moms traditional recipes with instructions - Thanksgiving Day Layered Jello.