RECIPE BOX: Around the table

Traditional dishes often encompass holiday meals and foods. Turkey, sweet potatoes, noodles, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry salad, and pumpkin pie swirl in my memories of childhood Thanksgiving dinners. 

I recall a year that I spent under the dining room table when our pet, Tom Turkey, became the main dish. My grandma worked days before to make each dish from scratch. She would be exhausted once the meal actually arrived. I rarely remember her sitting around the table but standing in the kitchen serving. The cleanup took as long as the preparation. While the savory tastes of Thanksgiving meals are delicious, it isn’t necessary to express your thankfulness and enjoy the holiday season. 

Simple and quick foods can put a memorable spread on your table just the same. This year, my family is mixing it up. Between homemade dishes and pre-made purchased items, the time spent together won’t diminish the memories. When the dishes are done and the leftovers are gone, what’s left is not the flavors on your taste buds but the warmth in your heart. 

Give up on perfection. Don’t search for the perfect recipe, dish, or decorations. Perfection can’t be found on the table but around it. A gift that so many long for on Thanksgiving is not a hot meal but someone to share it with. If you are blessed to have people in your life, then you are one of the richest people on earth. 

Traditions come and go. Recipes are altered and sometimes forgotten. Life is ever changing and evolving. Whatever your Thanksgiving looks like this year, let it fulfill you. Find joy in mixing it up! 

Contact Ashley at ashley@tippgazette.com

Christmas Crack Chex Mix 

INGREDIENTS

·         2 cups pretzels

·         2 cups plain Cheerios

·         3 cups Chex rice or corn

·         1 cup Christmas M&M’s

·         10 ounces white chocolate 

INSTRUCTIONS

·         In a large bowl, mix the Chex, Cheerios, pretzels and M&M’s.

·         Place the white chocolate in a microwave safe bowl.

·         Microwave for 1 minute. Stir and then melt in 30 second increments. Make sure you stir in between. (Stirring in between).

·         Be careful not to overcook.

·         Pour the melted chocolate over the chex mix and stir until well coated.

·         Then pour the chex onto a piece of wax or parchment paper and allow to set until hardened (at least 15 minutes).

·         Store in a zip top bag or covered container. Store on the counter for 3 days or in the freezer for 3 months.

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Thanksgiving Blessing Mix 

INGREDIENTS

·         1 1/2 cups Bugles Original Corn Chips

·         1 cup Honey Chex Mix or Alpha-bits if you can find them

·         1 cup Mellowcreme mini pumpkins (or candy corn if you can't find pumpkins)

·         1/2 cup dried fruits (either cranberries, blueberries or raisins)

·         1 cup white chocolate chips

·         1/2 cup mini M&M's

·         1/2 cup peanuts

INSTRUCTIONS

·         Add everything to a large mixing bowl and toss it all together.  Serve out of the mixing bowl or separate into individual portions.  

·         Store in an air tight container for up to 2 weeks. You can also place these in individual portion bags. Enjoy!