A Festive Thanksgivng Table And A "Sweet Potato Pie" Recipe

As we plan for our Thanksgiving feast, I thought it might be a wonderful idea to talk about some guidelines that may help you dress your table. I would love to share some ideas about the meal courses that you will be serving and eventually becoming your holiday traditions.

Setting a table is the place where your family and friends gather together for two important things in life, to eat and talk. You can’t go wrong when you use colors of the traditional warm amber hues for Thanksgiving, the blues, whites and silver of Hanukkah, and the classic red, green and white of Christmas. Traditional colors and table settings communicate love to anyone that shares a meal with you in your home.

To choose a tablecloth really depends on your dinnerware. You could use a patterned cloth or a solid color. A nice touch is adding place cards to your table, and be sure to allow enough room for seating. I know that in my family, when we have a holiday or special meal, we sit at the table for most of the day, even after eating. So you want to be comfortable.

Worried about what fork to use? Don’t worry; I am going to give you some guidelines. The basic place setting for your holiday meal will consist of an appetizer, salad or soup, and a main course. In a traditional Italian menu, a dish of pasta is eaten prior to the main course. Following the main course will be dessert and coffee or tea. At this point of the meal, my mom would also put out fruit, chocolates, nuts, and mints. By this time everyone is stuffed and has been at the dinner table for over 5 hours or more. Another Holiday Dinner was a success!

One rule I always follow, is that the utensils are arranged in the order of which a person will use them. In our Western culture, this means that the forks, bread plates, and napkins are to the left, while the knives, spoons, glassware, cups, and saucers are to the right. In many other countries the left-right order is reversed. Often, in less formal settings, the napkin and /or cutlery may be held together in a single bundle by a napkin ring. In informal dinners you can even place the napkin on the plate. 

My mom, Madeline

Some final table details, don’t forget the salt and pepper shakers. If you find some room on your table, a floral centerpiece and unscented candles would be a beautiful warm finishing touch to your holiday table. One last item I would love to share is a little hostess gift that I give to my guests as they leave my home. It can be something small, even a cookie cutter with a lovely ribbon on it, which is a thoughtful thank you for coming to my dinner party. 

Our Thanksgiving table at my parents' house.

I think back when I was still living at home, my mother would always have the family over for the holidays. The smells in the kitchen would always give me that warm and toasty feeling, especially the aroma’s that would float all the way up to my room, which was on the second floor. Food is a big part of my Italian family and it always centered around the kitchen. My mom’s dinner table was simple, but beautiful, especially with the proper placement of forks, spoons, and knives. We always had to have a centerpiece with candles on each end of the table. Everything sparkled, from the good china to the sterling silverware. As my family would be seated around the table, I could see how proud my mother was as she would hear her guests, admire her elegant table.  My memories of how my mom prepared for her holiday dinner parties will last me my lifetime.    

Everyone has a favorite recipe they look forward to enjoying a holiday meal with the family. The smell and taste of a special dish can invoke memories from the past or create new ones for the next generation. My recipe this week is a “Sweet Potato Pie”. When you hear the word “Pie” you may think that it is for dessert, but this is not a dessert. Sweet Potato Pie is a traditional side dish in the Southern United States. It is often served during the holiday season, especially at Thanksgiving, and is similar in many ways to pumpkin pie. So please try this delicious and flavorful recipe as you enjoy your holiday turkey.

"Sweet Potato Pie"

Ingredients:
2 to 3 sweet potatoes (about 1 1/2 to 2 Lbs)
2 Tbsp unsalted butter; softened
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar (or less to make it less sweet)
1/2 cup of 1% milk
2 large eggs
1/4 Tsp ground pumpkin pie spice
1/2 Tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 Tsp vanilla extract 
1-- 9 inch pie crust 

Directions:
Boil sweet potato whole in skin for 50 to 55 minutes, or until soft. Run cold water over the potatoes and remove the skin. Blend potatoes in a blender and pulse for about 1 minute to remove all fibers. Place sweet potatoes in a bowl. Add butter and mix well. Using an electric mixer, mix in sugar, milk, eggs, cinnamon and vanilla. Beat on medium speed until mixture is smooth. Pour filling into an unbaked pie crust. Bake at 350° F for 55 to 60 minutes, or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Serve with melted marshmallow on top. (optional)

Till Next Time……..

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