So this year the only ones attending will be my immediate family. I am not one to cook great amounts of food so this should be perfect. Also, because I get to cook it, it can be done the way that I want it done. I can include the foods that I want. Not that I will alienate those that aren’t following the South Beach Diet Plan but I can be creative with some new and different side items of traditional ones that I have updated and made healthy.
I will be ordering a Honey Baked Ham, which I will personally be cutting that wonderful famous Honey Baked skin. This really makes no difference to me. I never cared either way about sugar crusted skin anyway.
I will make real mashed potatoes for the non participants. I will also be making the South Beach Mashed Potatoes for myself and anyone who wants to step outside the box a bit. I will have green beans, peas, sweet potato fries and salad for the vegetables.
The stuffing which was last years favorite dish I made. This dish was polished off way before the regular white bread stuffing. This will show itself again this year sure to be the winner : Turkey Sausage and Pear Stuffing. I will however omit the pears. Its just never been my thing to include fruit in my stuffing.
Dessert will be another favorite from last year : Pumpkin Pie (Phase 2). This is a great recipe I think for all pies and I think that you can actually taste the flavor of the pie without the overbearing taste of a “bready” crust. My son and I could not leave this thing alone last year. Too good to believe that it is actually “better for you”.
The Appetizers will include a veggie tray with lots of extras for refills and a dozen deviled eggs. My brother will be helping by bringing the rolls the others cannot live without and some Pinor Noir to accompany our meal. I am really looking forward to this Thanksgiving and it will be tough to keep the cost down. I dont think it will be too much of a problem with our neighborhood 99 Cent Store.
Hopefully you will let me know how your Thanksgiving goes with your family as you try to swap out some of your family favorites with some healthful options that can be just as tasty if not more.