Thanksgiving Family Traditions

Family-that's what we think about at the Thanksgiving table. We are all thankful for so many things, but having family members nearby is one of many wonderful Thanksgiving family traditions.

Exchanging recipes is another family tradition that never seems to falter. These three traditional Thanksgiving Day treats could be yet another way for you and your family to spend some fun, quality time together as you prepare for this wonderful holiday gathering. Cranberry bread, Indian pudding and (who could forget?) pumpkin pie are three historical and delicious Thanksgiving treats.

Cranberry bogs are a radiant red sight to behold in the autumn as the tart berries are raked and harvested. Cranberries offer many treats like cranberry juice, cranberry sauce and cranberry bread. The recipe below is sure to please your family and start a new Thanksgiving tradition in your household.

Cranberry Bread

2 cups of flour

½ tsp of salt

1½ tsp of baking powder

½ tsp of baking soda

1 cup of sugar

1 egg, beaten

2 tbsp of melted butter

½ cup of orange juice

2 tbsp of hot water

1 cup of cranberries, cut in half

½ cup of chopped nuts, optional

Stir dry ingredients together. Add butter, orange juice and hot water to the beaten egg. Combine with dry ingredients. Add cranberries and nuts. Pour into a greased loaf pan. Bake for 80 minutes at 325 degrees. When done, remove from the pan and brush with butter. Keep it stored in the refrigerator.

Indian pudding is another Thanksgiving Day favorite. Tradition has it that the Native Americans shared this fine pudding with the Pilgrims at the celebration of the first Thanksgiving dinner. There were so many dishes served there that we can't prove it was among them but, regardless, the legend continues. Indian pudding offers many healthy ingredients, and its sweet taste also makes it a family favorite desert. This easy-to-follow recipe would make a wonderful addition to your Thanksgiving table.

Indian Pudding

3 cups of milk

1/3 cup of cornmeal

¼ cup of dark molasses

¼ cup white sugar

½ tsp salt

½ tsp ground ginger

½ tsp ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Butter a one-quart baking dish. In a large saucepan at medium heat, cook the milk until bubbles form at the edges. Slowly stir cornmeal and molasses into the milk. Continue to cook and stir until thickened, about 10 minuts. Remove from heat and stir in sugar, salt, ginger and cinnamon. Pour into prepared dish.

Bake in preheated oven for two hours, until set. Serve hot or cold.

Pie, anyone? At most Thanksgiving tables, there are always several pies to choose from, but the most traditional Thanksgiving pastry is the pumpkin pie. The season to harvest pumpkins is nearing a close, and the pumpkins have been sitting ripe for weeks now. They are soft enough inside to make them a very tasty treat. Whether you scrape out the insides of a pumpkin yourself or you buy a can of premashed pumpkin at the supermarket, it's all delicious. This Thanksgiving dessert can be topped with ice cream, whipped cream or eaten as is. No matter what your pleasure, this pumpkin pie recipe will excite your taste buds.

Pumpkin Pie

¼ cup of sugar

½ tsp of salt

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp ginger

2 tbsp flour

2 eggs, beaten

1 cup of milk

¼ cup of molasses

2 cups of strained pumpkins

Mix the dry ingredients. Add the beaten eggs, milk and molasses to the pumpkin. Combine liquid mixture to dry ingredients and pour into pastry-lined pie plate. Bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes, then lower the temperature to 350 for 50 minutes.

Thanksgiving traditions are a fine thing to establish; your children and family members will appreciate all of this special time together, and you will all be creating new memories as a family unit.

Article provided by Homesteader