Time to Talk Turkey
November 13, 2009 Posted by The Little Red Hen
My son came home with his first hand-shaped turkey last week, so I knew it was time to take down the Jack-O-Lanterns and get out the cookbooks. My husband and I are hosting the meal again this year and we always have a good time planning a meal for about 16 people. Both my family and my husband’s get together this one day of the year, and we all have a good time together despite the broad sweep of political and religious ideas (everybody is always on good behavior!) But this year I have a new challenge: My in-laws are all very gourmet and like to try exotic new recipes. On the other hand, my dad (who has never liked exotic food) had a heart attack over the summer and is on a very low sodium diet. Argh! How can I make everybody happy?
Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t an end-of-the-world kind of problem. Really, I’m more thankful than ever this year just because my dad is around! I’d make him nothing but chocolate cake if he wanted it. And my in-laws are wonderful people who wouldn’t think twice about a bland dinner since they know the circumstances. I’d just like to cook something that makes everybody happy! But how do you make mashed potatoes taste good without salt? Or stuffing? Or green beans? Or even dessert? Help!
There are many low-sodium recipe websites in cyberspace, but I’m always dubious of things like that if I don’t know anybody whose tried them. Maybe I should just get cooking and try some out. But if any of you have any suggestions for delicious, low sodium side dishes you’d like to pass along, I’d love to see them. With some research and a little help from my internet friends, I’m hoping to make this a Thanksgiving dinner everybody will love! (And as an aside to my father-in-law, I’m still planning to make my Death By Mashed Potatoes, so there’s no need to worry.)
Julie Cutshaw says:
November 13th, 2009
well, these 2 recipes we love to have each year. The taffy apple salad is both low fat and healthy for you and is so good! The other one is not so mouch low sodium but is so good too. You could look for low sodium items to use in it to help. So I’ll share them either way for you to enjoy or pass on. And BTW> hope your dad feels better & if that is your dinning room it is beautiful love the color of it and all the window views. Happy Holidays>love your blog & all the great reviews you offer.God Bless> julie My daughter gave me these 2 recipes to make each year she id a diabetic and so they are as low of fat and sodium as we can get them. Enjoy!
Taffy Apple Salad
4 small apples, peeled and chopped (any kind)
1 large can (14-16 ounces) crushed pineapple in unsweetened pineapple juice, undrained
1 8 ounce tub of Fat Free Cool Whip
1 box Fat Free, Sugar Free Butterscotch pudding
4 ounces chopped walnuts
1 snack size box of raisins
Mix all ingredients together and enjoy!
Hashbrown Casserole
1 large bag of Frozen Shredded Hashbrowns
1 can 98% Fat Free Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 can 98% Fat Free Cream of Chicken Soup
1 cup Fat Free Sour Cream
½ small Vidalia onion, peeled and diced
2 cups Fat Free Cheddar Cheese
50 squirts of I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter Spray
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix hashbrowns, soups, sour cream, onions, and cheddar cheese in a large mixing bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add to a greased casserole dish (I use canola cooking spray). Top with 50 squirts of I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter. Bake for 1 hour covered with aluminum foil.
The Little Red Hen says:
November 13th, 2009
Julie, Thank you for the very nice note and the great recipes. They look delicious! My husband’s family makes your Hashbrown Casserole, but with all the full fat stuff. They call them funeral potatoes, and after all these years I’m still not sure if it’s because they serve them at funerals or because they CAUSE funerals! Your recipe looks much better! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!