Cranberry Relish

I do not like cranberry in a can,
I do not like it in a sauce,
I do not like it from a pot.
I do not like it in jello,
I do not like it formed in cello.

Sorry for that poor attempt at Suessian rhyme. The point is: I do not like my Thanksgiving cranberries cooked or in jello. I like it RAW! I know, I'm strange. But I love my Cranberry Relish!



Cranberry Relish


1 bag fresh cranberries
1/2 fresh orange, with rind and membranes removed
1/2 to 3/4 cup sugar
1/2 chopped walnuts (optional)

Place first three ingredients in your food processor. Pulse until combined. Place mixture in a bowl. Fold in walnuts. Cover and refrigerate for 24 hours.

It's that easy, folks!

For more great recipes, click on over to Saturday Stirrings at I Throw Like a Girl. Carol also has a giveaway along with today's Saturday Stirrings. So get over there TODAY to see how you can enter to win a gift package from Progresso Soup!

Thanksgiving Planning

It's time to start making lists and checking them twice. No, not for Christmas. Not yet. Lists for Thanksgiving!


Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, maybe because the main attraction of the day is food (and football!). This list is a work in progress, but I need to start writing things down so that I can remember what needs done!



Menu:

Deep fried turkey
Pork BBQ
Twice baked potatoes (my MIL is making these)
Stuffing
Cranberry Relish
Broccoli casserole
Succotash
Dinner rolls
Pumpkin pie
Pecan pie (?)


We'll have at least 8 adults for dinner. But we always add people at the last minute. We extend invitations to any of our friends who may not have family nearby with whom to spend the day. We've had up to 22 adults some years.


What are some of your favorite Thanksgiving dishes?

Pumpkin Spice Granola

I found this on Baking Bites and I think that I'll try this soon. I love all things pumpkin-y at this time of year. I will be making this in my crockpot, following the directions for my regular granola.

UPDATED TO ADD: This is scrumptious! I couldn't find puffed rice cereal, so I used whole grain oat cereal, and added a cup of coconut for extra texture. In the crockpot, make sure you vent the lid and stir often so as to prevent burning.

For more recipes, visit Carol, our host for Saturday Stirrings.

Pumpkin Spice Granola


3 1/2 cups rolled oats
2 1/2 cups puffed rice cereal
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice mix
pinch ground cardamom
3/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup plain pureed pumpkin
1/4 cup plain applesauce
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
up to 1 1/2 cups chopped nuts
up to 1 cup dried fruit


nut suggestions: almonds, walnuts, pecans, pumpkin seedsdried fruit suggestions: cranberries, raisins

Preheat the oven to 325F and line a large baking sheet (or two smaller sheets) with parchment paper.


In a large bowl, combine oats, puffed rice cereal. In a medium bowl, whisk together spices, salt, sugar, applesauce (do not use chunky applesauce), pumpkin puree, maple syrup and vanilla. Whisk until very smooth.


Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir with a spatula or large spoon until mixture is evenly coated. Spread on prepared baking sheet(s) in an even layer.Bake for 30 minutes, then turn over the granola carefully using a large wide spatula.


Sprinkle the nuts onto the granola, then bake everything for additional 15 minutes, until crisp and golden. Depending on the size of your baking sheet, the center might not be fully dried if your granola layer is thick, so if necessary remove the edges of the cooked granola to a cooling rack and let the rest cook for another 10-15 minutes until done.


Cool on pan or on a fine wire rack. Break granola up as desired and store in an airtight container. Add dried fruit before serving.

Makes about 8 servings, more depending on add-ins.

Crockpot Apple Oatmeal

I was craving this over the weekend. I love the smell of oatmeal and apples - I always chose the apple cinnamon instant oatmeal as a kid.

One variation that I like instead of the walnuts and raisins is pecans and dried cranberries. I'm sure you could also add a diced banana and it would taste pretty good!

I'm sharing this recipe for my wonderful friend Kaylea. And for Tempt My Tummy Tuesday. Because Kaylea requested it, and it is very tempting to my tummy!

Crockpot Apple Oatmeal

(adapted from Fix-It and Forget-It Diabetic Cookbook)

2 cups fat-free milk

1 Tbs honey

1 Tbs butter or margarine

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon (or more!)

1 cup dry old-fashioned oats

1 large baking apple, chopped

1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

1-2 Tbs brown sugar (depends on how sweet you like it)

1/2 cup raisins (optional)

1. Mix together all ingredients in greased slow cooker.

2. Cover. Cook on Low 5 hours.

3. Serve with milk or ice cream.

Makes 4 servings. Ideal slow cooker size - 3 quart.

Cuppa, Cuppa, Cuppa

Something simple and easy. Anyone can make this, even if you feel baking impaired!

For more great recipes, visit Carol for Saturday Stirrings.



CUPPA, CUPPA, CUPPA!
From "Steel Magnolias"

That’s a cuppa sugar, a cuppa flour and a cuppa fruit cocktail
with the juice. Mix it together and bake at 350 degrees until
gold and bubbly!

This is something that's easy.....very delicious with ice cream!