Thanksgiving Holiday and 2010 Menu

This year, "Home for the Holidays" is a very appropriate theme for my new blog since we have recently moved Mom to her new home across the street, Gary is moving next door to me into Mom's old house the day before Thanksgiving, and the newlyweds (Dan & Margarita) have just returned from their honeymoon in Hawaii in time to join us for Thanksgiving. My kids and grandchildren will all be here, and I have a new daughter-in-law and a new granddaughter to celebrate with this year. Maybe Juliet will be able to try a few of the menu items for her very first Thanksgiving. Even with all the commotion and excitement from the moves and Mom recovering from her back injury, there's still no place like home for the holidays. So wherever your home may be, and wherever your loved ones are, I am wishing you and your family a happy and healthy holiday season.

Thanksgiving Menu 2010

If you are interested in any of the recipes, scroll down or click on the menu item from the column on the far right. Enjoy!

Italian Feast - 1:00 p.m.

Baked Ziti

Meatballs and Italian Sausage

Harvest Salad with Raspberry Chipotle Dressing

Mixed baby greens with gorgonzola cheese, craisins, appples and glazed walnuts with homemade Raspberry Chipotle Vinaigrette Dressing

Traditional Meal - 3:00 p.m.
Roasted Turkey and Turkey Breast
Herbed Bread Stuffing

Mashed Potatoes with Gravy

Caramelized Sweet Potato Casserole

Baked Parmesan Corn

Glazed Baby Carrots

Oven Roasted Squash & Brussel Sprouts

Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes with Toasted Marshmallows - New!

Broccoli & Cauliflower with Cheese Sauce

Cranberry Sauce

Relish Tray with Assorted Olives and Stuffed Celery

Home Baked Holiday Breads with Cinnamon-Honey Butter

Banana Bread - Pumpkin Bread- Date Nut Bread

Desserts

Traditional Pumpkin Pie

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Friends & Family Dutch Apple Pie

Chocolate Cream Pie

Chocolate Dream Pie with Chocolate Crust

Banana Cream Pie with Graham Cracker Crust

Angel Cream Coconut Pie with Coconut Meringue

Uncle Teddy's Favorite Peanut Butter Pie

Lemon Meringue Pie

Pecan Pie

Old Fashioned Butterscotch Pie - New!

Key Lime Pie

Creamy Blueberry Crumble Pie

Cherry Almond Pie

Sweet Potato Pie

Baked Ziti Recipe

With all the excitement and activity this busy month, I decided that this year I would make an easier pasta dish instead of our traditional lasagna. So I emailed PJ with a choice of either stuffed shells or baked ziti, and he chose baked ziti. He would like everyone to believe that I asked only him because he is my favorite or because I value his opinion the most, but the truth of the matter is that he doesn't eat turkey, so I thought it was only fair that he should choose the other main dish. So, to all my children - no matter what you read on facebook, I love you all the same!

Baked Ziti

2 lbs. Ziti
Spaghetti Sauce (4 quarts homemade, or favorite brand)
Ricotta Cheese (4 lbs.)
Mozzarella Cheese, shredded (1 and 1/2 Cups, plus more for top)
Parmesan Cheese (1/2 cup)
4 eggs
Salt and pepper

Prepare sauce, if using homemade. Prepare ziti according to package directions, being careful not to overcook. Drain, mix with 2 cups sauce.

In large bowl beat together ricotta, shredded mozzarella, parmesan and eggs. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray large pan or casserole dish (larger than 13 x 9, with 2" sides). Spread enough sauce to cover bottom of pan. Spread layer of cooked ziti. Top with a layer of ricotta cheese mixture. Repeat layers - sauce, ziti, and ricotta. Spread a layer of sauce on the top, sprking with parmesan cheese. Tightly cover with saran wrap AND foil, sealing on all sides. Bake in oven for approximately 30 minutes, then remove saran and foil. Cover top with shredded mozzarella and return to oven for approximately 15 minutes, or until cheese is melted and slightly golden, and sides begin to bubble. Remove from oven and let stand for 15 minutes before serving.

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Cinnamon Honey Butter

Cinnamon Honey Butter (for Thanksgiving breads)

1/4 lb. unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 T good honey
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. kosher salt

Combine all ingredients. Beat until light and fluffy. Serve at room temperature. Store in refrigerator.

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