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"It always seems impossible until it's done."
—Nelson Mandela
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HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
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Holidays are as much about food as they are about family memories. My mother wasn’t an enthusiastic cook, but she sure knew how to create a holiday. Her old-school 1970s recipes have become a part of our food traditions. Even though Roy and I have planned a different menu this year, I’m sharing some simple family recipes from my table to yours. They are not necessarily gluten-free, dairy-free, or healthful dishes, nor are they the typical nocrumbsleft fare, but they are unequivocally soul food.
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THIS YEAR'S UPDATED THANKSGIVING MENU
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Something to know about me is that I learned about my love of cooking after I moved out on my own. So at first, in my own way, I sort of turned my nose up at these recipes, feeling like I had something better to offer. But time has a way of changing things. Over the years I’ve come full circle and now understand what the recipes are about: family, love, and memories. They are part of the net of love my mom cast, and they are woven into the fabric of who we are.
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FAMILY HOLIDAY: THERE I AM, FRONT AND CENTER
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Recently I shared my mom’s Corn Soufflé (or Corn Pudding, depending on where you live). The recipe went viral on TikTok, but it drew comments like, “Your mother’s recipe is a Jiffy cornbread recipe.” Oh, it certainly is. Patty Turner wasn’t a genius cook, but she definitely filled the holidays with love, and when we ate her food, we felt that love. Many of our mothers and grandmothers and aunties made this corn side dish. Some add green chilies or other variations.
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CORN SOUFFLÉ
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One year, I attempted to do a Thanksgiving without this Corn Soufflé (corn pudding). and my family threatened to boycott. Thanksgiving wouldn’t be the same without it! It’s always the first dish emptied on our buffet. It’s great with a serving of turkey, but it also makes a fabulous side dish any other day, alongside roast chicken or eye of round. For a homemade gluten-free version, click here.
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MY UPDATED GLUTEN-FREE CORN SOUFFLÉ
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Roy’s Stuffing. Strictly speaking, this is not actually Roy’s recipe, but one he found in the Chicago Tribune 31 years ago. Bacon, sausage, and a caramelized mirepoix make this stuffing so delicious! We make the breadcrumbs a couple days before. When we first met, he’d make his stuffing and I’d make mine (or more accurately, my mom’s) because we’d rather have two kinds of stuffing than compromise and not have our favorite.
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ROY'S STUFFING
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My Mom’s Stuffing. Another Patty Turner special. Simple, delicious, and certainly high calorie, this is my idea of nirvana. She used saltines rather than bread. When I think of Thanksgiving, I think of my mother, up early that morning making this recipe.
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ROY'S FAMOUS STUFFING RECIPE FROM 30 YEARS AGO
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Raspberry Jell-O. Quite frankly, Roy cringes at this recipe, but I am here to tell you that it is so delicious and the perfect accompaniment to poultry. I’ve learned over the years that so many people have a version of this dish, adding elements like sour cream and red hots.
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MY SISTER'S RASPBERRY JELLO
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Day After Thanksgiving Soup. Save your turkey carcass and any bones from the legs or thighs so you can make my very favorite leftover soup. It may come as no surprise that I actually cook a second, smaller turkey to assure that I have plenty of leftovers. Simply make a beautiful broth then add whatever you'd like. It's also fun to throw in stuffing or potatoes at the end to thicken it up. Spectacular!
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THIS TURKEY SOUP IS A THANKSGIVING ESSENTIAL
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However you spend your Thanksgiving Day, I hope it’s full of kindness and love. I encourage you to look around your circle and beyond and extend invitations to anyone who might otherwise be alone on the holiday.
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TURKEY TALK WITH ROY
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Did you catch Turkey Talk with Roy? He went live Wednesday. If you missed it, click here to enjoy. Then be sure to comment on the post letting us know what you thought! I am absolutely delighted that so many of you include this annual event as part of your Thanksgiving rituals.
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HOW GREAT IS THE FERNANDA PITCHER?
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In celebration of Friendsgiving, we’re giving away a Fernanda Pitcher in the color of your choice! Click here to enter.
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OUR GORGEOUS LUCY K'S SPOON REST
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Do you have an upcoming holiday gathering? If you’re planning on seeing loved ones this holiday season, show your appreciation for them with a gorgeous piece of pottery as a host/hostess gift. We love our Lucy K’s Spoon Rest because it’s affordable and a little unexpected, but just the kind of kitchen tool that once you have it, you wonder how you ever lived without it. It really is the best kind of kitchen accessory!
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WHO WANTS A FREE PATTY BOWL?
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In celebration of my birthday on the 23rd, I have a free Patty Bowl promotion going on tomorrow, so keep an eye out in your inbox!
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