Ginger & Honey Glazed Carrots

For Thanksgiving this year, we did a potluck with a bunch of friends.  I was so excited to eat this simple, yet very tasty carrot recipe.  My baby loved them too!  

Ginger and Honey Glazed Carrots--

Steam sliced carrots in a little water till almost cooked, drain and put back in sauté pan, add butter, ground ginger, and honey. Cook until done to your liking. Then top with a little fresh parsley. 

Recipe Source:  My friend Allie C.

Photo Source: My Recipes

Cranberry Salsa

My friend Jodi and I recently threw a baby shower for our friend Angie.  Since its Christmas time, we had the theme "Santa Baby" which turned out adorable!  One food item we had was this delicious cranberry salsa.  Jodi made the snowman out of cream cheese, rolled into balls and put the cranberry salsa around the edge of the plate.  She put the crackers on another plate next to the snowman and salsa.  It was easy and so delicious.  


D. Family Cranberry Salsa:

Bag of Whole cranberries

1 can whole berry cranberry sauce

1-2 Jalapenos diced (start with one, add more if needed)

1 bunch cilantro 

6-8 green onions

1 t cumin (I always use 1 Tablespoon)

Up to 1 cup sugar (to taste)

8 oz cream cheese

boil whole cranberries until they pop open

dice jalapenos, cilantro, and green onions together in blender

put the boiled cranberries, canned cranberries, and mixed greens in a bowl.  Add cumin and sugar to taste.  Mix well.

Pour over block of cream cheese.

Serve with crackers

Source: Jodi D.

Top Picture Source :Whats Cooking America

Snowman Picture Source : Six Sisters Stuff

Vanilla, Banana and Coconut Cream Pie

I love this recipe because it is very versatile.  The base of vanilla cream filling is the same and you can alter with a few versions below.  There were also a few other versions I didn't post yet because I want to try them before posting.  I also used this recipe for a baby shower recently.  I made a parfait by putting the vanilla cream in the bottom of a clear cup (1/4 C each), topped with berries and homemade granola.  It was delicious and totally worth the effort.  The mixture of the berries, vanilla cream and granola was perfect in my opinion!

Vanilla Cream Pie

Prep 45 minutes, Bake 30 minutes, Oven 325 degrees, Cool 1 hour, Chill 3 hours, Makes 8 servings

1 recipe Baked Pastry Shell, store bought or whatever pie crust you choose

4 egg yolks
3/4 C sugar
1/4 C cornstarch
2 1/2 C half and half, light cream or milk
1 TBSP butter
1 1/2 tsp vanilla

1.  Prepare and bake the pie crust.  Set aside to cool.

2.  For filling, in a medium saucepan combine sugar and cornstarch.  Gradually stir in half and half.  Cook and stir over medium-high heat until thickened and bubbly; reduce heat.  Cook and stir for 2 more minutes.  Remove from heat.

Slightly beat egg yolks with a fork.  Gradually stir about 1 cup of the hot filling into yolks.  Add egg yolk mixture to filling in saucepan.  Bring to a gentle boil; reduce heat.  Cook and stir for 2 more minutes.   Remove from heat.  Stir in butter and vanilla.  Keep filling warm.  Pour into baked pie crust.  Chill 3+hours  before serving.


For Banana Cream Pie:  Prepare as above, except before adding filling, arrange 3 medium bananas, sliced (about 2 1/2 C) over bottom of the shell.  Top with Whipped Cream.

For Coconut Cream Pie: (haven't tried yet).  Prepare as above, except stir in 1 C flaked coconut with butter and vanilla.  Sprinkle another 1/3 C flaked (and toasted would be delicious) coconut over a whipped cream topping.


Recipe Source: Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book
Photo Source: My Baking Addiction

Festive Pineapple-Cranberry Salad

Thanks to my Grandma Jeannie for this recipe.  Another Thanksgiving favorite at our house!


Prep: 10 minutes plus refrigeration

1 can (20 oz) Dole Crushed Pineapple, undrained
2 pkg (4 serving size each) Jell-O Raspberry Flavor Gelatin
1 can (16 oz) whole berry cranberry sauce
1 apple, chopped
2/3 C chopped walnuts

Drain pineapple, reserving juice.  Add enough cold water to juice to measure 3 cups; pour into saucepan.  Bring to boil; remove from heat.  Add dry gelatin mixes; stir 2 minutes.  Stir in cranberry sauce.  Pour into large bowl.  Refrigerate 1 1/2 hours or until slightly thickened.  

Stir in pineapple, apples and walnuts.

Refrigerate 4 hours or until firm.  Garnish with reserved pineapple sliced apple and some fresh mint (I leave out the mint).

Makes 14 servings, 1/2 C each.

Recipe Source: Grandma J
Photo Source: Tara Cooks

Mom's Pecan Pie

My absolute favorite pie right here.  So not good for you, yet soooo delicious.  A Thanksgiving staple at our home.

1 C karo syrup (clear, not dark)
1 C dark brown sugar
1/3 C melted butter
1 heaping cup of shelled, whole pecans (have used 1 1/2 c as well)
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
pinch of salt


Mix all ingredients well and pour into an unbaked 9 inch pie shell. Place tin foil around the crust of pie so it only covers the crust and leaves the pecan portion exposed (keeps crust from burning).  Bake at 350 for *45-50 minutes.  *In my last home, I had to add 20 to 30 minutes to the cooking time.  In my current home, the oven cooks hotter so I didn't have to add on as much baking time.  It shouldn't "jiggle" if you shake the rack.  A cookbook I was reading said that a knife should come out clean and that will mean its done.  I haven't used the knife test, but will do so next time I bake this pie.  After removing pie from oven, remove the tin foil (crust should be golden brown).  Let stand until cool.  Pie will thicken as it stands.  

Recipe Source: My mom
Photo Source: Last Call for Corn