Traditional Recipes

I will give thanks to the LORD because of His righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the LORD Most High. – Psalm 7:17

No pressure here, but have you already started shopping for Thanksgiving dinner?  Aside from the usual fixings, do you have a few unique, traditional family recipes that remind you of growing up?  As I single handedly deplete Safeway’s supply of Strawberry Jell-O, I smile as I remember one of mine: Mama’s Pretzel Jell-O salad.

In typical Midwest fashion, this “salad” had no vegetables, just lots of good stuff suspended in Jell-O. When my family moved from Indiana to New England, people thought we were nuts to serve this on Thanksgiving (or at all).  Cranberry is the undisputed side dish of choice there.  My kids, however, wouldn’t consider it a Thanksgiving dinner without it. 

By the way, we are not nuts, we just know what’s good.  I’ve been making Mama’s recipe for over twenty-five years now.  Every year, I walk through the same steps to make sure each delicious layer will solidify properly on top of the other.  

Crushed pretzels and melted butter make up the foundation.  Once that’s cooled, I add a sour cream (yes, sour cream) and sugar combination.  Then comes a layer of Cool Whip.  Finally, I add the strawberry and Jell-O mixture.  It then “rests” in the refrigerator overnight.  The next day, its jiggly “just right” combination of sweet-saltiness makes the perfect side dish for the turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and gravy.  Even the New Englanders admit that it’s much better than their bitter dollops of cranberry sauce. 

Eating Pretzel Jell-O has opened the door for me to share so many Mama and Papa stories with my kids.  They know about our road trips to the cabin in North Carolina, swimming pool stunts with Mama, card tournaments, and visits to the farm to see Papa’s horse and make homemade ice cream (another recipe with family stories).  

My children don’t remember my Mama and Papa but they feel close to them through this tradition of food and stories.

What Thanksgiving recipes on your table this year could tell a family story? Who or what comes to your mind when you make a particular recipe or enjoy a traditional dish?  Who can be honored and remembered this year by telling their story?  

In the next few days, share a special Thanksgiving recipe with us. Email it to us. Tell us why this particular dish is special to you.  Does it tell a family story or remind you of someone you love?  We’ll compile the recipes, look for common themes, and share them with you before Thanksgiving. 

Let’s thank God today for family members who have enriched our lives with generous love and great memories.  Let’s give God praise for Thanksgiving traditions that keep family love truly alive.  

The Power of Giving God Thanks Will Ignite Your Faith and Change Your World!

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