Most of us celebrate the Thanksgiving we remember from our childhood. I was raised in the south; we sat down to a soul food dinner together every Sunday but... there were certain dishes strictly served only on Thanksgiving or Christmas. Number one on the list, Cornbread Dressing, not stuffing, dressing; there is a difference.
Let me tell you about my mama's (Nadine), cornbread dressing. She made fresh cornbread from scratch...She did not use crackers, white bread, fruit, or nuts,... She made her stock using a fresh hen....She added meat from the hen to her dressing, All the veggies were finely chopped(usually by međ), She used fresh butter, eggs, and milk, and, Her dressing was always served with rich Giblet Gravy. Today, I make her dressing just the way she taught me; my family and friends will tell you..."MISS NADINE'S DRESSING IS THE BEST".
She made fresh Corn Bread
from scratch......
She made her stock using a fresh hen....
All Her veggies were finely chopped....
NADINE'S CORN BREAD DRESSING
The recipe for Nadine's Corn Bread Dressing is featured in my cookbook, Rock's Soul Food Sunday available on Amazon in eBook and Paperback.
Thanksgiving is the day families gather to show gratitude for each other and enjoy their traditional Thanksgiving dinner. We usually eat way too much, watch some football, and look forward to Black Friday to kick off the Christmas shopping season. But, this year we're facing many challenges because of the pandemic so, we have to make a few modifications.
My niece, Mica suggested that we take our dinner outside....so that's what we're doing; thank you Mica Bica. We set up a pick nick table in the back yard, loaded up on wood for the fire pitt, and we'll fire up the grill early Thanksgiving morning. We have our fingers crossed the weather will co-operateđ€. Here's our menu......
ROCK'S THANKSGIVING MENU
BUD'S GRILLED SMOKED TURKEY LEGS
NADINE'S CORN BREAD DRESSING / with GIBLET GRAVY
MICA'S HOMEMADE MAC AND CHEESE IRETHA'S STOVE TOP CANDIED YAMS
NADINE'S COUNTRY GREENS ROCK'S WHOLE FRIED OKRA
CHILLED CRANBERRY SAUCE CHOW CHOW RELISH
OLD FASHIONED PECAN PIE ROCK'S MOUTHWATERING CARROT CAKE
BUD'S GRILLED TURKEY LEGS
4 pre-smoked turkey legs
4 tablespoons yellow mustard
6 ounce container Frenchâs Original Crispy Fried Onions, crushed
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Canola Oil Spray
4 large pieces of heavy duty aluminum foil
Preheat gas or charcoal grill to 350 degrees F
Wash turkey legs thoroughly and pat them dry. Lay 1 turkey leg on each piece of foil. Spray each turkey leg all over with Canola Oil spray. Use a brush to spread the mustard evenly over each turkey leg. Combine the pepper and garlic powder in a small bowl: sprinkle the mixture evenly on each turkey leg. Sprinkle the crushed fried onions evenly on each turkey leg. Wrap the turkey leg tightly in the foil. Place them on the grill and cook 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the size of the turkey legs. Remove them from the grill and allow to rest 10 minutes, then serve warm.
Mica's Homemade Mac and Cheese
Nadine's Country Greens check out the full how to video on YouTube
ROCK'S WHOLE FRIED OKRA
A MORE TRADITIONAL THANKSGIVING MENU
ROAST TURKEY /with STUFFING
FRESH GREEN BEANS MAPLE GLAZED CARROTS
GARLIC MASHED POTATOES with COUNTRY GRAVY
PARMESAN ROASTED BRUSSEL SPROUTS STUFFED BUTTERNUT SQUASH
CRANBERRY JELLO SALAD
PUMPKIN PIE with WHIPPED CREAM DEEP DISH APPLE PIE
HOMEMADE YEAST ROLLS
You can substitute Rock's Herbed Grilled Cornish Hens for the turkey if you are cooking for a smaller group. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iErWIqF4ZZA I've used this Roasted Turkey in a bag Recipe several times. It's stress free and the turkey comes out crispy brown on the outside and surprisingly moist inside. Give it a try.
SOME VEGAN AND GLUTTEN FREE SUGGESTIONS
Make sure to take a look at your guest list when planning your Thanksgiving Menu. Do you have guest with dietary restrictions? Normally, most guest that are diabetic will be prepared and know their limitations. However be sure to include some dishes for the Vegan, Vegetarian, and Gluten Free guest on your list. Be sure to try to serve dinner on time and have some healthy snacks available to nibble on.
My friend Andy recommends these Vegan sides for your Thanksgiving Dinner.
VEGAN JALAPENO POPPER
MAC AND CHEESE
https://choosingchia.com/vegan-jalapeno-popper-mac-and-cheese/
It looks deliciousđ
ANDY'S VEGAN MUSTARD GREENS
Ingredients
1 pound mustard Greens
Vegan sausage, sautéed
1 cup Vegetable Stock
1 cup water
2 Jalapenos seeded, finely chopped
1 medium white onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
Brine juice to taste
Wash the mustard greens and remove the large stems. Sauté the onions, garlic, and sausage in olive oil. Stir in the mustard greens, salt, and pepper. Pour in the stock and water then add the jalapeno peppers and brine to your taste. Simmer until the greens are tender.
GLUTEN-FREE SWEET POTATO PIE
Follow this recipe for Nadine's Sweet Potato Pie filling. Then, use a gluten-free pie crust mix or pick up a premade crust(Whole Foods carry them in their freezer section). I googled gluten free pie crust from scratch and found several recipes, so that's an option as well.
NADINE'S FAMOUS SWEET POTATO PIE
3 large potatoes
2 eggs room temperature
1/3 cup melted unsalted butter
3 tablespoons dark Karo syrup
1 cup miniature marshmallows
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
œ teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Wash potatoes well, cut off ends, and do not peel. Place potatoes in large pot with enough water to cover them. Boil 1-11/2 hours until soft; if you can easily slide a butter knife inside largest potato they are done. Carefully remove skin with fork while hot, and remove any visible strings. Mash the sweet potatoes, and measure out 2 cups. Put the sweet potatoes in a large mixing bowl, immediately add the marshmallows while the potatoes are still hot, after the marshmallows start to melt add the butter, stirring until marshmallows have dissolved. Using a hand mixer, blend the eggs and sugar, into the potato mixture. Add the evaporated milk, Karo syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and vanilla extract. Continue blending until the mixture is smooth, about 4-5 minutes. Any stringy pieces of the sweet potato should be wrapped around the blender attachment. Stir the mixture and remove any remaining visible strings. Pour the mixture into the unbaked pie shell and bake 45 minutes to 1 hour, until filling is set in the center and the crust is golden brown, Cool at least 20 minutes before serving.
WE HAVE A WINNER!!!!!!
Andrea Russ Younger named all the fruit in the centerpiece fruit bowl from last Tuesday's Dining With Rock blog.
And they are...from left to right...
1st row Buddha's Hand, Cherimoya, one more Buddha's Hand
2nd row Fig, Yellow Dragon Fruit, Persimmons
3rd row Pomegranate, Figs, Lemon
Congratulations Andrea, I know you will enjoy Rock's Signature Teak Wood Spoon Collection as much as I do. Order your set today from my website, https://www.rockssoulfood.com/shop
Stay tuned for other monthly contest and specials, you could be the next winner!
Bravo , achieving another way to stay grateful with the picnic style ; a safer Thanksgiving celebration . Deliciously enjoyed Budâs Turkey Leg....along with twist on tradition items . Never thought to fry my okra whole (normally in cuts ). Keep the blog coming !