(NC)-What are you doing for Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving is a favourite holiday (and October long weekend)
in Canada and typically includes family, friends and food.
While historically Thanksgiving is about giving thanks for a
successful harvest, today it's also a time to relax, have fun
and spend time with people you care about.
Whether you celebrate Thanksgiving at home or at a friend's or
relative's home, there is always a lot to do. Many families
watch a sports event together on TV, organize a game of touch
football and play, or go for a drive to the country to see the
vibrant colours of fall leaves.
But meals during the Thanksgiving weekend are often the main
event. Breakfast with visiting family is a wonderful social
time. Dinner often takes all day to prepare (and everyone loves
the aroma of roasting turkey) and includes those traditional
(and family) favourites such as the turkey with dressing,
cranberry sauce, fall vegetables and pumpkin pie.
Give thanks and enjoy.
About Thanksgiving
The first Thanksgiving in North America was a three-day harvest
festival celebrated in 1621 by pilgrims and Native Americans at
Plymouth, Mass. They gave thanks for a plentiful harvest and
enjoyed a feast of fowl and other wildlife and seasonal
vegetables.
How to serve a perfect Thanksgiving pie
While pumpkin pie is the traditional choice, why not try a sweet potato pie instead. Sweet potato and canned or cooked pumpkin are interchangeable in pies and other baked goods and they each bring their own distinctive taste to the recipe.
To avoid a soggy pie crust, brush a beaten egg white on the
bottom and sides of your unbaked pie shell before you fill it.
(The egg white coating prevents the filling from seeping into
the crust during baking - and causing a soggy crust.)
A dollop of whipped cream on your pumpkin - or sweet potato pie
- is the perfect topping to a great meal.
Sweet Potato Pie
Here's a delicious departure from traditional pumpkin pie. In
fact, this Sweet Potato Pie could become a new family tradition
at your Thanksgiving meal. For more delicious recipes, visit
www.robinhood.ca
.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Baking Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 8 servings
Crust:
1/2 envelope Flaky Pie Crust Mix
Filling:
11/2 cups cooked, mashed sweet potatoes (375mL- two large
potatoes)
1 cup brown sugar (250mL)
1 cup whipping cream (250mL)
3 eggs
1 tbsp real maple syrup (15mL)
1/2 tsp cinnamon (2mL)
1/4 tsp salt (1mL)
1/2 beaten egg white
Preheat oven to 400ºF
Crust:
Prepare pastry according to package directions for unbaked
9-inch (23cm) pie shell, using half the dough. Cover with waxed
paper and chill while preparing filling. Save remaining dough
for another use.
Filling:
Combine all ingredients in medium sized bowl.
Assembly:
Brush beaten egg white on bottom and up sides of pastry. Fill
with sweet potato mixture. Bake in preheated oven 40-45
minutes, or until filling is set. Cover crust with foil if
browning too quickly. Cool and serve with whipped cream.
Wild Rice and Turkey Soup
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 20-30 minutes
Makes: 8 servings
1 tbsp vegetable oil (15 mL)
2 large carrots, finely chopped
1 large onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup finely chopped celery (125 mL)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups leftover cooked turkey (500 mL)
2 cups cooked wild rice (500 mL)
3 1/2 cups chicken broth (875 mL)
1/4 tsp salt (1 mL)
1/4 tsp ground black pepper (1 mL)
2 cups heavy (whipping) cream (500 mL)
2 tbsp dry sherry (30 mL)
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, (optional-30 mL)
Method: Heat oil in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add
carrots, onions, celery and garlic; cook and stir five minutes,
or until vegetables are tender. Stir in turkey, rice, broth,
salt and pepper; cook 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add
cream and sherry; cook until heated through, stirring
occasionally. Ladle soup into serving bowls; sprinkle with
chopped parsley, if desired.
