Green Bean Casserole Variation

Like the rest of America on Thanksgiving day, our family enjoys green bean casserole. We don't, however, enjoy it made the "classic" way. Here is our version, heavier on green beans & onions, that we make every year:

You will need:

• 1 can REGULAR (not reduced fat) cream of mushroom soup, any brand
• 3/4 Cup whole milk or half-&-half
• 2 dashes soy sauce
• 2-4 dashes Worcestershire sauce
• 1-2 pinches of kosher salt
• Black pepper to taste
• 2 cans "no salt added" cut green beans
• 1 can "no salt added" french-cut green beans
• 1 1/2-2 cups french-fried onions. I prefer French's or Great Value's
  

You can mix in the casserole dish if you like, but I prefer a large bowl.
Begin by mixing the soup, milk, soy, Worcestershire, salt & pepper. When the lumps are out, mix in the green beans & 1 cup of the onions. Turn out into a large casserole dish.
Bake at 325 for 30 minutes. Stir. Add remaining onions on top and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until onions are golden brown.

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Super Simple Craberry Sauce

I would imagine most people crack open a can of cranberry sauce every Thanksgiving simply because they do not know how simple & delicious it is to make fresh & homemade. The recipe we use is so easy our first-grader can make it. (With supervision!)

You will need:

• 1 bag of cranberries from your produce section, rinsed & any broken fruit removed
  
• 1 Cup of plain white sugar
• 1 Cup of water
• A splash of lemon or orange juice

Bring just to a boil the water, sugar & lemon juice. Add the cranberries & bring back to a boil.
Reduce heat & simmer until cranberries burst. Remove from heat & let sit until room temperature. It can then be used, or refrigerated. We like to make it the day before then chill it. It thickens as it cools.

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Less Than a Week from T-day!

Since Thanksgiving isn't really a meal you can just jump into, I prepare well in advance. And I make great use of my love of making charts & lists to keep my craziness organized.

The first week of November I ask/bug all the family members what they'd like to see on the table this year, then I make a shopping list. 5-7 days from Thanksgiving I do my shopping. I like to beat the crowds & I also know that it will be the perfect timing in defrosting the turkey in the fridge. Much, much easier then making room in the freezer for it.

Also finished today, my time line of when items go in & out of the oven/on & off the stove, etc. A MUST when a toddler is afoot & others are helping. Speaking of others helping- this year both my boys (9&6) will be helping with certain things. So another chart gets done of who is helping when. No, I am not brave enough for two boys to help with one dish. You know that saying- "too many cooks spoil the broth"? Yeah...I'm sure something, or someone, would be caught on fire. They are even taking turns on the day before, when the pies & cranberry sauce are made. I'm not giving anyone any opportunity for fighting. =-)

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