30 Day Challenge – Day 21

Today’s Topic: A Recipe

Ooooh there are sooo many good ones to choose from!  You do realize that our team has done 2 cookbooks as fundraisers over the last 3 years don’t you? [sidebar: I have some copies of Cooking Up A Cure, volume 2 still left for purchase - $10+ donation!] Ok, so maybe I will pick a recipe or two that correlate with a specific memory of mine… from last Christmas.  I was hosting Christmas dinner at my house for my parents, grandpa, and Aunt Pam and Uncle Bruce.  I cooked a turkey [my first – and quite tasty I might add!], made stuffing from scratch, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie… the whole works.  Since Fall is almost officially here, I'm going to share the stuffing and pumpkin pie recipes – both of which are fairly easy and quite delicious!  Thanksgiving is my absolute favorite holiday so I'm really looking forward to these two things!

Best Stuffing Ever [from Cooking Up A Cure, volume 1]:
24oz Unseasoned Stuffing Mix
1/2 c. Butter
1c. Celery, chopped
1c. Onion, chopped
1c Mushrooms, chopped
1/2c. Walnuts, chopped
1lb Sausage, cooked & crumbled
1 can Cream of Chicken Soup
16oz Applesauce
8oz Crushed Pineapple
3oz Orange Marmalade
1.5c Water
1/4 c Melted Butter

Place stuffing in a large bowl.  Sauté onion, celery and mushroom in 1/2c butter. When cool add to stuffing.  Add walnuts, cooled sausage, applesauce, pineapple, marmalade, water and melted butter.  Stuff in 14lb turkey immediately before cooking [see turkey cooking instructions for degrees and times], or place in a large baking dish and bake for 1hour at 350^.

Turtle Pumpkin Pie [from Cooking Up A Cure, volume 2]:
1/4c plus 2tbs Caramel Ice Cream Topping, divided
1 Graham Pie Crust
1/2c plus 2tbs Pecans, chopped, divided
1c Cold Milk
2pkg Vanilla Instant Pudding
1c Canned Pumpkin
1tsp Cinnamon
1/2 tsp Nutmeg
8oz Whipped Topping, divided

Pour 1/4c caramel topping into crust and sprinkle with 1/2c pecans.  Beat milk, pudding mix, pumpkin, and spiced with whisk until well blended.  Stir in 1.5c whipped topping.  Spread into crust.  Refrigerate 1hour.  Top with remaining whipped topping.  Drizzle remaining caramel topping over the top, and sprinkle with remaining pecans just before serving.