Thanksgiving Tips and Yummy Recipes

Hi Everyone!

I hope you're having a great day!

Today on the blog mom is giving some tips to help with your Thanksgiving. While you're there, be sure to read one of our favorite stories of all time, When Queens Ride By. If you need some housekeeping inspiration you HAVE to read this! It will put an entirely new perspective on your housekeeping. If you don't read anything else from us, read at least this one thing!

Also, don't forgot to cash in those Swagbucks you've been earning. I've saved mine up and will be doing some Christmas Shopping on Amazon this year just like I did last year.

Have a great rest of the week!

-Tawra
www.LivingOnADime.com

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I can't imagine Thanksgiving without our traditional meal of turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy and cranberry sauce, but to keep it traditional and still have something new and different, you might try some side dish recipes that are new twists on old favorites.

Today's newsletter includes a few recipes that might fit that bill, plus some helpful tips for preparing your holiday meal and other meals throughout the year!

Today's Tips:

• If you like cheese with your apple pie, mix 1 cup of grated cheddar cheese into your pie crust and then layer the apple filling with another cup of grated cheese.
  


• If your pies are too runny, add 1 Tbsp. of tapioca to your filling.
  


• To keep your holiday salads crisper, turn a small sauce plate upside down in your salad bowl before you fill it. All the liquid and water will run down under the sauce plate and away from the salad.
  


• When cooking cauliflower, add 1-2 tsp. of lemon juice or vinegar to the water. It will help keep it whiter.
  

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Have you ever wanted to learn how to crochet?

In this Basic Crochet DVD, Kathy Brodock gives simple step by step instructions to teach you this fun stress-relieving pastime.

Learning to crochet can also save you money as you make gifts with a personal touch for baby showers, wedding gifts and Christmas!

Learn More About It Here!

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Today's Recipes:

This first recipe is a great one to make in a regular skillet or, even better, in an electric one (because it will help free up stove space when making Thanksgiving dinner).

Cinnamon Candy Sweet Potatoes

1cup sugar
1 cup water
3/4 cup red cinnamon candies (red hots)
1/2 cup (stick) margarine
3-4 sweet potatoes (enough to cover the bottom of large skillet)

In a large skillet, heat first 4 ingredients to boiling. Peel and slice sweet potatoes into pieces about 1 1/2 inch thick. Place sweet potato slices in a single layer in the syrup. Cover and cook slowly over medium heat until potatoes are done and syrup is thick (about 1 hour). Baste a few times with syrup while cooking.

Apple/Sweet Potato Dish

5-6 medium cooking apples*, peeled and thinly sliced
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled, halved and
thinly sliced
1 cup quick cooking oats
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 tsp. each, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg
1/2 cup maple syrup
2 Tbsp. margarine or butter, melted

Grease a 2 1/2 qt shallow baking dish and combine the apples and potatoes in it. Mix the rest of the ingredients and sprinkle on top. Cover and bake at 350° for 40 minutes. Uncover and bake 15-20 minutes longer, until apples and potatoes are tender.

*Baking apples include Granny Smith, McIntosh and Rome. I like to keep apples like Gala, Jonathan and Golden Delicious on hand because you can eat them or bake with them. Red Delicious are usually for eating but I have used them in a pinch in baking. Red Delicious apples become much softer when cooked, but since I like my apples sweet and very soft when cooked, that doesn't bother me.

Cranberry Muffins

Mix 1 cup of chopped cranberries with 3 Tbsp. of sugar. Add to your favorite muffin mix. For those of you who have the Dining on a Dime Cookbook, you can use either muffin recipe on page 56. For a muffin to go with your meal use the basic recipe or for more of a dessert type muffin, use Mom's Sweet Muffins on the same page.

Pecan Pie Muffins

1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup flour
2 eggs
1/2 cup (stick) butter or margarine, melted

Combine first 3 ingredients. In separate bowl beat eggs until foamy and add butter. Pour egg mix into dry ingredients and blend until moistened. Don't over blend. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes.