Thanksgiving Simple & Easy

Sending Best Wishes for a very Happy Thanksgiving

to one and all!

Are you planning a stay-at-home, simple Thanksgiving Dinner for approximately four people (or two people and a four legged child). Or maybe, you'd like a few little leftovers to nibble on after the big day.

This is our story for this Thanksgiving Day 2011, so Gabi wanted me to share our little, traditional menu with you. Can you say EASY!

Try one or all of the following recipes to simplify your day of Thanks!

First Up - Slow Cooker Turkey & Dressing (yep, turkey in the crock pot, click below):

I'm using a 5 lb. bone-in turkey breast with Mrs. Cubbison's Seasoned Corn Bread stuffing, served with TJ's Turkey Gravy (doctored up a bit). Have a Mimosa or Cape Cod or Roy Rogers or Shirley Temple (if you like umbrellas/maraschino cherries) while it cooks. Or one of each!

Fix It and Forget It Slow Cooker Turkey & Dressing

Second - Haricots Verts (tiny green beans) with Caramelized Shallots (click below):

Prep/cook time is about 30 minutes. Again, EASY and good!

Green Beans with Caramelized Shallots

Third - Wild Rice with Wild Mushrooms (click below):

For this dish, I'm using TJ's Mixed Wild Dried Mushroom Medley, with Porcini, Shitake, Black & Oyster Mushrooms. And of course, no BUTTER (shh , don't tell Paula Deen). A canola spread works just fine, better for you.

Wild Rice with Wild Mushrooms

Fourth - Mom Parson's Cranberry Sauce (don't even think about that canned stuff!, click below):

This is so simple and easy to make - about 15 minutes. And since our oranges are 'ready', I just grabbed one off the tree for the zest! It's best to make this at least one day ahead. So see, you just saved some Turkey Day time... and if you're like me, you have an overabundance of whole cloves, allspice & cinnamon sticks in your spice rack. I double the dose for these spices to, as Emeril Lagasse would say, Kick It Up A Notch!

Mom Parson's Cranberry Sauce

Fifth - Arugula Salad (you can never have enough greens, according to your doc... click below):

I'm not to keen on the pine nut thingy, but that's up to you. Give it a try at least once. Simple & quick - 10-15 minutes tops!

Easy Arugula Salad

Last, but certainly not least - Libby's Famous Pumpkin Pie (just wouldn't be turkey day without, click below):

Nope, I don't make the pie crust. Mrs. Smith's, in the frozen section of your market, works just fine! Make the pie a day ahead and you've just saved some more Turkey Day Time...

Libby's Famous Pumpkin Pie


Easy, simple, tasty and filling! You'll have time to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade - woo hoo!

WildWSS signing out! Off to get the Pumpkin Pie cooked, so I'll have about 30% of Turkey Day chores complete. And remember - Busy Hands are Happy Hands! So get those shopping lists done, get to the market and get ready to relax on Turkey Day... cause you gotta have some energy to shop on Black Friday.