<p>MotherofTwo, I’m sorry your kids will be away. I’m sure that your D will really appreciate the bread! A little bit of home delivered by friends, that’s really neat.
Does anyone ever make pumpkin pie the old fashioned way, cutting up and boiling a pumkin etc. If so, could you please post a recipe? I use pumkins to decorate for fall (We didn’t carve them this year) and I thought it would be a good way to use them up instead of just composting them.</p>
<p>Sarahsmom - I think that the type of pumpkin used for making pies and other recipes is a different variety than the type used for carving. I think the type for cooking is called a “pie pumpkin” and it is much smaller than the decorative type. If you can’t make pie out of the pumpkins, you could at least boil and toast the seeds, if your family likes pumpkin seeds. I used to do this and it is pretty easy.</p>
<p>I remember roasting the seeds in the oven and putting salt on them. I didn’t realize that you needed a special kind of pumpkin. Oh well, next year I’ll try to find one.</p>
<p>So my boyfriend’s parents are hosting this year’s Thanksgiving dinner, and apparently there’ll be over 20 relatives in attendance. For comparison, my entire extended family consists of about six people (most of my relatives are dead or estranged), and they make a point of never spending time together if they can avoid it. To be honest, I’m a little nervous… of course, the ones I’ve met [parents, brother, aunt, uncle, and two young cousins] are all very nice, so I’m sure it’ll be lovely.</p>
<p>(That’s my college boyfriend of two months, by the way. When I told my friends he’d invited me home for Thanksgiving, they stared and said “He must be really serious…!” :D)</p>
<p>Cameliasinensis, I hope that you are feeling better! Enjoy your Thanksgiving! I must say that we have the same situation in our family. My husband comes from a large family, and I come from a small family. We had some different traditions, celebrated differently, and it has all worked out. I got used to the holiday crowd, and it will seem so strange because for the first time in our long blessed marriage we will have a small gathering (my side of the family).</p>
<p>I am sure that your family will miss having you at the table. Are you going to see them over the Thanksgiving holiday, or just wait until December?</p>
<p>Cameliasinensis: Just keep telling the hostess how delicious everything is, and they’ll love you! If there are children, ask them to show you their toys. If there are old people, ask them to tell you about their best and worst Thanksgivings. And don’t touch your boyfriend during dinner. :)</p>
<p>I actually grow my own pie pumpkins, a variety called sugar pie. They are small and very flavorful. To cook a pumpkin, you cut it into pieces, scrape out the seeds and pulp (and yes, they’re very nice roasted), bake the pieces for about an hour at 350 F, then scrape out the cooked pumpkin and puree it and follow any pumpkin pie recipe from there.</p>
<p>And help with the dishes!</p>
<p>I’ve already met his parents, fifteen-year-old brother, aunt and uncle, and two younger cousins, and they don’t seem to hate me so far 
… so that shouldn’t be a problem at all; I don’t know why I’m still nervous. I’m staying with them in CT from Tuesday afternoon to Friday morning, then I’m spending the weekend with my family in NYC. We’re first-generation immigrants (Swedish), so this is actually going to be my first real, traditional Thanksgiving!</p>
<p>I guess it’s too early to dress up as St. Lucia, right?</p>
<p>That’s December 13, so yes (also, I can’t sing at all, so I doubt that would endear me to anyone). :D</p>
<p>Cameliasinensis, How exciting for you! I am sure that you’ll have a lot fun. I am glad that you will see your parents too. Enjoy!</p>
<p>For some strange reason, my aunt, who has hosted the last 10 or 15 years at her house, told me that she’s passing the torch to me. So we’re having at my my house. But she insists on making the turkey, dressing, greens and yams. So I don’t have much to do. But I think my kids will be glad that we don’t have to drive across town.</p>
<p>Menu besides the aforementioned
Onion pudding (something my mom found out about on the Food Network and now everyone loves)
Homemade rolls
cranberry sauce
sweet potato pie</p>
<p>Funny thing is besides the homemade rolls, my kids don’t really like anything on the menu.</p>
<p>What’s in onion pudding? Sounds intriguing.</p>
<p>Camellia–does that mean you’re feeling better? Some of us have been worried.</p>
<p>dmd77, I still have a bad cold (runny nose, coughing, sore throat), but at least I’m no longer sleeping 16 hours a day and testing negative for mono despite showing all the symptoms… so there’s been some progress. :)</p>
<p>camelia</p>
<p>Glad you have some of your energy back.</p>
<p>I want to hear about the onion pudding too.</p>
<p>Here’s the recipe for the onion pudding. You will love it. It’s creamy, cheesy and “oniony”. that’s my mom’s description</p>
<p>6 large eggs
2 cups heavy cream
6 ounces shredded Parmesan
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon minced canned chipotle en adobo
1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic
1/2 cup unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing pan
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
7 medium-sized Vidalia onions, thinly sliced
1 (8-ounce) can sliced water chestnuts, drained
1 cup slivered almonds</p>
<p>Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9 by 13-inch baking dish with butter.
In a large bowl, stir together the eggs, cream, and Parmesan. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, cayenne, chipotle, and garlic. Stir the flour mixture into the egg mixture and set aside. </p>
<p>Heat the butter and oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring, until caramelized. Add the water chestnuts and cook for another 5 minutes. </p>
<p>Stir the onion mixture into the egg mixture and spoon into the greased baking dish. Sprinkle with slivered almonds and bake until the pudding is set, about 30 minutes. </p>
<p>You can find the canned chipotle and adobo in the Hispanic foods section of your local store.</p>