This year we are having two Thanksgivings, one with family and one with friends! The one with family (yesterday) was great, we had a delicious Turkey feast, and visited with family at Todd’s moms house. I made clam dip, some delicious cranberry sauce, and a Hershey’s Boston Cream Pie (with the help of my 7 year old that loves to bake) that turned out better than I thought it would. Our friend holiday party will be tomorrow and I plan to make some carrot cake, + round two of cranberry sauce, as well as a yummy apple cider, maple glazed turkey, YUM!! So I am going to share and link to recipes in this blog post.
Homemade Cranberry Sauce:
One Cup Orange Juice
One Cup Sugar
12oz pkg of fresh cranberries.
Dissolve sugar in orange juice over medium heat, add cranberries, and cook or about 10 min. until they start to pop (skin breaks). At this point, you can add any optional ingredients. I added blueberries, pecans and a little bit of allspice. Chill in fridge, sauce should thicken. Serve with turkey, mmmm! Optional: Pecans, orange zest, raisins, currants, blueberries, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice.
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I didn’t get a picture of the Boston Cream Pie, There is a good one on their website along with the recipe at the following link: http://www.hersheys.com/recipes/5005/All-Chocolate-Boston-Cream-Pie.aspx
Everyone loved it, and I am pretty sure it is a new family favorite 
It is super rich, so small servings go a long way.
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For the Clam Dip, I used my mom’s recipe… not sure where she got it, but it was definitely one of my favorites for the holidays during my childhood.
1-2 Cups Cottage Cheese
4-8 oz Cream Cheese
2-3 TBSP Grated Onion
4-5 TBSP Mayo
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 – 1 can Clams
1-2 Large Minced Garlic Cloves
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Maple Roast Turkey and Gravy
I am going to try this recipe from allrecipes and will let you know how it goes
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Apple Cider
I used 3 parts Apple Juice (I like fresh home made apple juice)
1 part water
Lemon Zest
Small slice fresh Ginger
Several cloves (too many will make it taste bitter)
Cinnamon sticks
Simmer apple juice, water, and spices (except for the cinnamon stick) for 15 min. Pour through a small strainer, or pick out chunks of spices.
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Candied Pecans:
Pecans, 1 egg white, 1 cup sugar, 1/2 TBSP Cinnamon, pinch of allspice, 1 tsp salt
Add egg white into bowl. Mix sugar, cinnamon, allspice and salt in a separate bowl. Roll pecans in egg white, and then sugar mixture. Place onto greased pan, and back at 250 F for 55 min stirring every 15-20 minutes.
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Sweet Potato Casserole: http://southernfood.about.com/od/sidedishcasseroles/r/bl90911u.htm
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Last but not least, I am going to make Carrot Cake, I am going to try the recipe from this blog: http://stickygooeycreamychewy.com/2011/01/07/the-best-carrot-cake-recipe-ever/
It looks delicious!! UPDATE: It was fantastic!!
