Thanksgiving Favorites.

I can't believe I am saying this, but it's almost Thanksgiving!! Wow. Wasn't it just Memorial Day??? I know every family has their favorite dishes, and I am so excited to share some of mine with you today! Some of these are old favorites that have been served at our Thanksgiving table since I can remember, and some are new favorites that have been introduced only recently. Enjoy the round-up of my personal favorite Thanksgiving dishes! I would love to know… what is served at your Thanksgiving table that has become a family favorite? Please share!

See how much love this recipe has gotten over the years!

Estelle is my uncle Philip's mother. She made this dish at their Thanksgiving - and special occasions - all of his life. Once he married into our family, he brought this classic dish with him! It's safe to say no Thanksgiving is complete at our house without this amazing dish! When I went to school at Belmont University, many of my close friends came home for Thanksgiving with me because their families lived in other states. We have shared this dish with friends from CA, AZ, KS, and PA! I think it has even become part of other people's Thanksgivings after they had it at our house! How special is that?

This is an easy recipe to make for any holiday! It makes appearances at Christmas and Easter, too! 

My uncle, Philip, found this recipe in the Memphis newspaper several years ago. It was such a hit with the family that it is now one of our main desserts each year! (Along with chess and pecan pie, of course… we are in the South, right?) 

One of my personal favorites is what I call "The Harper Family Butternut Squash." There is never any left over, and it tastes a lot like sweet potatoes! Here is the recipe…

THE HARPER FAMILY BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Squash Mixture

2 c. baked, mashed butternut squash

3 eggs, lightly beaten

3/4 c. sugar

1/3 c. unsalted butter, at room temp.

1/3 c. milk

1 tsp ground ginger

1/2 tsp coconut flavoring 

1/2 tsp salt 

Crunchy Topping

1 1/2 c. corn flake cereal 

3/4 c firmly packed brown sugar 

1/2 c chopped pecans

1/4 c unsalted butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients for squash mixture and pour into a greased 8 in square baking dish. Bake uncovered for 35 mins. For topping, combine all topping ingredients. Sprinkle topping over squash and bake an additional 10 mins. ENJOY!

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Another easy recipe that is made a lot at Thanksgiving is our family recipe for:

SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE 

3 c mashed sweet potatoes 

1 c sugar (can reduce to 3/4 c if you prefer to use less)

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1/2 c milk

1 tsp salt

1/4 stick butter 

1 tsp vanilla 

Optional: add grated orange zest for extra flavor!

Mix well and add to baking dish. 

Topping (optional but SO SO good!)

1 c brown sugar

1/2 c flour

1 c chopped pecans

1/2 stick butter, melted

Mix all topping ingredients together and pour over sweet potato mixture. 

Bake at 300 degrees for 30 mins.

Other favorites include The Pioneer Woman's Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic and Cranberries and her Burgundy Mushrooms …both amazing! That Brussels Sprouts recipe converted three Brussels Sprout haters to LOVERS! 

Here are a few pictures of our Thanksgiving table from years past...

The famous Asparagus Casserole is the second thing on the right, and the sweet potato casserole is after that one. We also do lima beans, a lot! So easy!

Hope you enjoyed my Thanksgiving recipe and picture round up! Have a blessed month and holiday!