Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Simple Holiday Salad and My Sister's Table


     For the past few years, my husband, son and I have spent Thanksgiving at home, just the 3 of us. With family scattered, it was just the way it worked out. We really didn't mind, most years we just ordered our meal from Cracker Barrel because I wasn't going to cook all that food for 3 people. This year, when my sister invited us to her house (about an hour and half away) we said yes. She cooked, I cooked, and while both of us had one of our kids who couldn't make it, we did have 4 of our 6. One of the things I took was my mother's very easy recipe for Cranberry Relish/Salad. I don't like the "normal" cranberry sauce, but I like this and it is so simple to make.

Ingredients:
2 bags of fresh cranberries, rinsed
2 oranges, washed and with just the stem end removed
2 cans crushed pineapple, drained
1 cup celery, chopped
1 cup (or more) nuts-chopped (walnuts or pecans)
1 1/2 cups sugar


In a food processor, coarsely chop the cranberries,
place them in a large bowl.


Next, place the oranges in the food processor
and chop them peeling and all. Add to
cranberries in the bowl.


Chop the celery, add to the mix.


Add the cans of drained pineapple.


Add the sugar and the nuts and mix well.


This is a colorful and really fresh tasting salad/relish.
 It not only works well for Thanksgiving,
it is also perfect for Christmas.


     It was the first holiday meal my sister and I had been together without our parents. My dad was in Florida and my mom has now been gone a year and a half.


My sis had the table set beautifully.


She used my mom's china, sterling flatware and crystal.


We had all the trimmings, way too much food and a really great day!


I am joining Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch
for Tablescape Thursday, and
Michael @ Designs by Gollum for Foodie Friday


13 comments:

Flo @ Butterfly Quilting said...

looks like a great feast...happy Thanksgiving!

Designing Lady Jane said...

That cranberry salad/relish looks really intriguing. Your sister's table was lovely. I'm glad you all were able to enjoy the wonderful food and family.

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Sue, that looks very yummy. I don't care for cranberry sauce either. Glad you had a nice Thanksgiving.

Jacqueline said...

What a lovely table and the salad looks and sounds great. I am sorry about your mother. Mine has been gone 21 years in January and I still miss her, especially at the holidays.

I love all of the food served on the buffet. It is just beautiful.

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

What a lovely table. I'm sure that the tradition of using your mother's china made this feel like she was close. So wonderful that you and your sister were able to do this together. That cranberry sauce looks delightful!

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Everything looks so pretty and the food yummy. The salad sounds like something I would like - thanks for sharing the recipe.

Marigene said...

Beautiful table...lovely heirloom china. The food looks wonderfully delicious!

Tess said...

It's so nice that you were able to have dinner with your sister and her family!! Your mother's china and silver is just beautiful and such a sentimental way to celebrate the holiday!

Linda said...

So nice you were able to be with family...your sister's table looked beautiful! I am going to have to try that recipe...we love our cranberries here!

dee dee said...

Sue,
I am so glad that you and your sister were able to spend this Holiday together this year! The table looked wonderful and all the food, wow I'm sure it was fantastic!
Dee Dee

Patrice said...

Looks like it was a sumptuous Thanksgiving for your family!

Angie said...

Looks delicious, Sue! Sounds like a great holiday with your loved ones.

Shellbelle said...

Hi darlin'! I just had to drop in and tell you I posted today, your email was an inspiration to me.

THEN, I see this recipe! My friend Karen was telling me about a recipe her mom made for Thanksgiving and she only knew the ingredients, not the amounts. I was on Google searching for it today and here it is! Well, almost, hers had fresh apples instead of pineapple and celery and she added a bit of pumpkin pie spice. I just couldn't picture it when she said to put it in the processor and know I get it. This looks delicious!

Hugs dear friend xoxoxoxoxoxoxox