Tuesday's Top 5

Bet you think you know what this week's Top 5 is going to be, don't you? Bet you think it's going to be the Top 5 things I'm thankful for. Well, if you think that you are wrong. Do you seriously expect me to narrow it down to only 5 things that I am thankful for? Psshaw! I am way more blessed than that. No siree, Bob. Not gonna do it. But what I am gonna do is something just as good (and much more yummy):

MY TOP 5 FAVORITE THANKSGIVING DISHES

(You so didn't see that coming, did you?)

5. Dad's Gross Salad. Here's the thing about Dad's Gross Salad. It is not made by my dad. It is not gross. And it is not really a salad. Dad's Gross Salad is more of a fruity, jelloey, cream cheesey concoction created by my husband's aunt's boyfriend (got that?). The only thing is, his kid's all hate it (hence the Dad and the Gross part). Good thing he hooked up with our family, though, because we all think Dad's Gross Salad is da tastiest!

4. The Cake. What? Cake for Thanksgiving? Aren't you supposed to eat Pumpkin Pie and Pecan Pie and Apple Pie? What are you unAmerican? Well, I'll admit those are the tradish Thanksgiving desserts and you are supposed to eat those things if you eat pie. Me? I'm not so big on the pie, so I personally take it upon myself to make sure that there is a non-pie (preferably chocolate based) dessert at every Thanksgiving. Purely selfish reasons, really. One of my favorite choices is "the Cake," a delightful boxed cake concoction suupped up with sour cream, pudding, and chocolate chips to make it extra dense, then topped with cream cheese icing for that extra layer of diabetes. Mmmmm.....

3. Casserole. Any casserole really. For me casserole (or hot dish if you're from Minnesota, where I'll be spending turkey day) = Family Gathering. And while I'm quite sure the pilgrims did not have broccoli casserole at the first Thanksgiving, I'm equally sure that if they had tasted the broccoli casserole recipe perfected by my relatives in Fort Meade they would have made several trays worth of it. Thankfully, I am not a pilgrim, and therefore will be working my way through a casserole or two on Thursday (and probably Friday).

2. Mashed Potatoes. Let's face it. Thanksgiving is all about the carbs. Turkey? Sure, turkey gets an honorable mention, but you know it's the carbs you're really wearing those stretchy pants for, and mashed potatoes are like the piece de resistance of carbs. Make sure you throw real cream and butter in with them and maybe some chives and sour cream. Don't forget the salt. Remember, elastic is your friend!

1. Daniel Family Cornbread Dressing. This last thing is very special. It is not just any Thanksgiving dressing (by the way, do not even mention the phrase "sage dressing" in my presence). This is the Daniel Family Secret Recipe Cornbread Dressing. Like, if I told you the recipe I'd either have to kill you or marry you, kind of recipe. Handed down from my great grandmother to my grandfather to my mother and now to my husband (now you know why we got married), this recipe is so so special, and I've never met anyone who doesn't love it. But don't ask me for the recipe. It won't end well for you.

Hope everyone has a safe and happy Thanksgiving. Don't forget to take stock of what you're thankful for!