Thanksgiving Recipes

First things first, happy 24th birthday, Kristen! In honor of your big day, here is a cheese ball recipe. Just kidding.

Roasted Red Pepper Cheese Ball
(allrecipes.com)

You know you are talking about an American holiday when you need appetizers to prepare for a giant feast. I tried out this recipe for Thanksgiving last year, and it turned out to be a success.

• 2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 (8 oz) package finely shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 1/2 tsp worcestershire sauce
• 1/3 cup jarred roasted red peppers, drained and chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Directions
Mix together cream cheese, cheddar cheese, garlic powder, mustard, parsley, cilantro, and worcestershire sauce. Stir in the roasted red peppers last. Spoon the mixture onto plastic wrap. Shape into a ball, and roll in pecans to coat. Refrigerate until serving.
________________________________________________________________

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread
(allrecipes.com)

In my family, someone always brings a pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving, just because there is supposed to be one, but it usually only has maybe one slice cut out of it when the day is over. This recipe is a much better use of your pumpkin purée.

• 3 cups white sugar
• 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin purée
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2/3 cup water
• 4 eggs
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tbsp ground nutmeg
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine sugar, pumpkin, oil, water, and eggs. Beat until smooth. Blend in flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. Fold in chocolate chips and nuts. Grease and flour three 9x5 inch loaf pans. Bake for 1 hour, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cool on wire racks before removing from pans.