Cranberry Relish

This recipe is my son-in-law's, Luke's, maternal grandmother's recipe. It has been a staple at Beth and Luke's  Thanksgiving dinner as long as they have been hosting and is a delicious side dish. I can't wait to make it for our first Thanksgiving in Florida!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups raw cranberries
• 2 large apples, cored
• 2 large oranges with peel
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 - 20 oz. can crushed pineapple in pineapple juice
• pinch of salt

Directions;

1. Grind all ingredients together (I use a food processor).
2. Let stand in refrigerator.
3. Stir 2 times each day.
4. The longer it sets, the better it is. ;)

Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes

(Prep time: 40 minutes ~ Baking time: 30-45 minutes)

Ingredients:

• 5 pounds russet or baking potatoes
• 1 stick salted butter
• 1 cup sour cream
• 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste

Directions:

1. Peel and rinse potatoes.
2. Cut potatoes into 2-inch pieces.
3. Put cut up potatoes in a large stock pot and cover with water.
4. Boil potatoes until they are fork tender (approximately 18-20 minutes)
5. Drain potatoes and add remaining ingredients.
6. Thoroughly mix all ingredients with a mixer.
7. Taste and adjust amount of salt if necessary.
8. Transfer mashed potatoes to a shallow baking dish (9x13) and cover with foil.
9. Right before baking, I usually drizzle melted butter on top of potatoes.
10. Bake at 350° for 30 - 45 minutes or until hot.

*** This delicious recipe was borrowed from www.makedinnereasy.com.

Oyster Dressing

I'm posting this recipe in honor of my dear mom. She used to make oyster dressing for Thanksgiving. It was one of her favorites. I don't have her specific recipe, but this is a good one.

Cornbread Ingredients ~
1 cup self-rising cornmeal
1/2 cup self-rising flour
3/4 cup buttermilk
2 eggs
2 TBSP. vegetable oil

Cornbread Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. To make the cornbread, combine all ingredients and pour into a greased shallow baking dish.
3. Bake for 20-25 minutes.
4. Remove from oven and let cool.

Dressing Ingredients ~
7 slices white bread, dried in warm oven
Cornbread
1 sleeve saltine crackers
2 cups chopped celery
1 large onion, chopped
8 TBSP. butter
7 cups chicken stock
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1 tsp. dried sage
1 TBSP. poultry seasoning
5 eggs, beaten
2 pints or 1 quart oysters, drained

Dressing Directions ~
1. Crumble dried white bread slices, cornbread and crackers.
2. Mix together and set aside.
3. Saute chopped celery and onion in butter until transparent, 5-10 minutes.
4. Pour over cornbread mixture.
5. Add stock; mix well.
6. Add salt, pepper, sage and poultry seasoning.
7. Add beaten eggs and mix well.
8. Add oysters and mix.
9. Pour into a greased pan.
10. Bake for about 45 minutes.

Squash Casserole

A friend of mine made this recipe for a potluck luncheon we had at school years ago. I have made it several times, and it is always a crowd favorite. It is requested every Thanksgiving. It really is the best squash recipe I've ever tasted. It makes about 16-18 servings. Delish!

Ingredients:

1 box cornbread mix
6 eggs
2 sticks (1 cup) butter, melted
1 onion, diced
2 cans sweet creamed corn
3 lbs. (8-10) yellow squash, sliced
1/4 cup sugar
8 oz. shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. garlic salt
1/2 tsp. pepper

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Boil squash in water 8-10 minutes, but not more than 15 minutes.
3. In bowl, mix all ingredients, stirring well.
4. Add additional seasonings if needed.
5. Pour into 2 small greased (or 1 large greased) dish.
6. Bake for 45 minutes.

Mamaw's Apple Crumb Pie

My mother-in-law was the BEST COOK ever! This recipe is one she shared with me many years ago, and I continue making it over and over again!

Ingredients:
4 large Granny Smith apples
1 unbaked pie crust
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 cup flour
1/3 cup butter

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
2. Pare apples, cut in eighths and arrange in 9-inch unbaked pie crust.
3. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup sugar mixed with cinnamon.
4. Sift remain 1/2 cup sugar with flour; cut in butter until crumbly; spring over apples.
5. Bake in 450 degree oven for 10 minutes.
6. Turn down oven temperature to 350 degrees and continue baking 40 minutes.

Sweet Potato Souffle

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Ingredients:
3 cups mashed sweet potatoes (I cheat and buy canned sweet potatoes.)
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 stick butter
1/2 cup milk

Directions:
Mix all ingredients together and pour into greased baking dish; cover with topping.

Topping: (I love this topping, so I usually double it! ☺)
1 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup flour
1 cup chopped nuts
1/3 stick butter, melted

Directions for topping:
1. Mix all topping ingredients thoroughly and sprinkle over souffle.
2. Bake about 35 minutes at 350 degrees.