For most of my childhood, we spent Thanksgiving with my family in Arkansas. It was always a big, loud, boisterous gathering of family we didn’t see nearly enough. For many of these years, my brother and I were the oldest of the kids, so we got to sit at the grown-up table, which made us feel very special. After the meal, the men would go watch the ball game and the women … [Read more...] about Sweet Potato Casserole with Cider, Orange and Maple
Holiday Cooking
Thanksgiving Popcorn
When I was a kid, my favorite holiday TV special was always A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. Back in those days, there was no DVR, DVD or even tapes. When the special was on, you watched it and that was it. No second chances. Maybe my love of Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, even more than the Great Pumpkin, was a precursor to my future in the kitchen. Maybe it foreshadowed my … [Read more...] about Thanksgiving Popcorn
Classic Corn Pudding with Cheddar and Chives
Now that the countdown to Thanksgiving has begun, I surveyed some friends about their favorite Thanksgiving dishes. Most answers were sweets – rich and decadent ones at that, like coconut cake and pumpkin squares. No one answered turkey. My personal favorite is corn pudding. It may seem like an unnecessary addition to an already laden Thanksgiving table, but I … [Read more...] about Classic Corn Pudding with Cheddar and Chives
Chicken Enchiladas with Pumpkin Sauce
I don’t do Halloween. Of course, as a kid it was my favorite time of year, what with the candy and all. I used to spend weeks thinking about my costume, and they were almost always homemade. I was Darth Vadar one year in a navy blue blanket and German helmet a neighbor kid’s grandfather brought back from World War II. One year I had chicken pox and my … [Read more...] about Chicken Enchiladas with Pumpkin Sauce
Candy Corn Mousse
That’s right. Candy Corn Mousse. I am one of those people who loves good candy corn. Only at Halloween, never at other times of the year, and never in great quantities. When the first bags start appearing at the stores, I get excited. It means fall is here and good fall food and I can start wearing sweaters and then it’s Halloween, then Thanksgiving…. I just had to try … [Read more...] about Candy Corn Mousse
