This time of the year

I love this time of the year. I have such wonderful memories of family holidays and especially the menus for each one. To this day I have almost the same dishes. Yesterday I made Gram's Date and Nut Bread. This was always served at Thanksgiving with a generous slathering of cream cheese. But what is really special about this picture is that the granddaughter made the grandmother's recipe and took the loaves out of the oven with potholders made by her granddaughter.

Gram’s Date and Nut Bread

1 ½ cups boiling water
8 ounce dates chopped
1 ½ cups sugar
2 T butter, melted
1 egg, slightly beaten
2 t baking soda
3 cups flour
¼ t salt
1 t vanilla
1 cup chopped walnuts

Pour water over dates and let the mixture cool. Cream sugar and butter. Add egg and mix. Dissolve baking soda in dates and water mixture.  Add  this mixture, flour, salt and vanilla. Stir in chopped nuts. Bake in a preheated 350º oven for 60 minutes. Makes 2 loaves. You can print recipe from here.

I make 4 smaller loaves and bake for about 45 minutes. Test center with cake tester for doneness.

We shall have 2 Thanksgivings with friends but Jack and I will cook a dinner for us on Monday so that we can have leftovers. I will cook a turkey breast which will be served with stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, turnip and creamed onions. I buy gravy in a jar and add a good glug of Marsala or Madeira. With the leftovers we will make a casserole shared by Rachel Ray a few years back during the Thanksgiving parade on TV. We are not having potatoes with our dinner but we shall have some with the casserole. To make this casserole which is not unlike a Shepherd's pie, layer the stuffing, meat, cranberry sauce, onions and leftover vegetables. Pour gravy over this mixture and top with mashed potatoes. Dot with butter and salt and pepper to taste. I shake paprika on top for a little color. Bake at 350º until done. The timing will depend on the temperature of the ingredients but I usually plan about 45 minutes.

We wish you all a wonderful holiday filled with family and happy memories. Jack and I will miss being with our families but we know that they will be surrounded by family and friends and, hopefully, memories of holidays gone by.