Eating is so intimate. It’s very sensual. When you invite someone to sit at your table and you want to cook for them, you’re inviting a person into your life.

—Maya Angelou

My Favorite Cranberry Sauce

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1 package (12 oz) fresh cranberries

Instructions:

1. Combine the sugar and water in a medium saucepan.
2. Bring the mixture to a boil.
3. Add the cranberries and return to a boil.
4. Reduce heat and boil gently for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Cover and cool completely at room temperature.
6. Refrigerate until serving time.

Recipes for leftover turkey

• Chicken enchilada casserole
• Turkey tetrazzini
• Turkey salad
• Turkey soup
• Turkey potpie

Classic Pecan Pie

Ingredients

1. 1 whole unbaked pie crust (Pillsbury is good, or make your own.)
2. 1 cup granulated sugar
3. 3 Tbsp. dark or light brown sugar
4. 1/2 tsp. salt 
5. 1 1/2 cups Lyle’s Golden Syrup or similar non corn-based syrup
6. 1/3 cup melted butter
7. 4 whole eggs, beaten
8. 1 tsp. vanilla paste
9. 1 heaping cup pecans, some chopped, some halves

Next…

• Preheat oven to 350F.
• Line a 9 or 10-inch metal or ceramic pie pan with the pie crust. Crimp the edges.
• In a bowl, stir together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, salt, syrup, butter, eggs, and vanilla.
• Pour the chopped pecans into the bottom of the unbaked pie shell.
• Pour the syrup mixture over the top of the pecans.
•  Bake the pie for 30 minutes. Check for doneness by sliding the pie back and forth. If it is not set, continue to bake, checking every 5-10 minutes.  Cover the crust with foil to prevent over-browning.
• Allow to cool for several hours or overnight until firm.