I survived!! The Turkey didn’t burn and wasn’t undercooked and everything managed to make it to the table. What a relief.

More to the point it was a great evening, good food, good people and pumpkin pie. Life doesn’t get much better. It also pushed me beyond my current knowledge of food to dishes I had never tried. A few of my favourites were: the Ritz Cracker topped Broccoli Casserole, Pecan topped Sweet Potato (this was SWEET) and of course the Pumpkin Pie. The Jello salad as I expected was a 1950’s American House Wife classic, I don’t think it will be making it into the rotation anytime soon.

But all in all it was a yummy meal, made even better by some pre food crafts – I have posted a picture of my ‘Hand Turkey’ below.

However if I am going to pick one recipe to share… well it just has to be pumpkin pie. The quintessential Thanksgiving food. Surprisingly simple to cook and pretty delicious to eat. So if you didn’t celebrate Thanksgiving yesterday, why not whip up your own Pumpkin Pie to carry you into December. Yes, it’s December this weekend… bring on Christmas!

Classic Pumpkin Pie (unashamedly only slight adapted from the back of the tin! How very American of me!)

Ingredients

1 tin Pumpkin Mix ( I found mine in whole foods)

2 eggs lightly beaten

6oz caster sugar

½ tsp salt

1 tsp ground cinnamon

½ tsp ground ginger

¼ tsp ground cloves

½ pint of evaporated milk

Around 250g Shortcrust pastry (either shop bought or from scratch)

Cream to serve ( I would whip double cream with a touch of vanilla essence and a sprinkle of cinnamon)

Method

1. Roll out your pastry and place in a pie/tart dish (remember to leave excess the pastry will shrink in the oven)
2. Prick with a fork and blind bake in an oven at 220C degrees for 10-15 mins
3. Once baked lower the oven to 180C degrees
4. In a large bowl mix together your pumpkin, eggs and sugar. Once combined add the salt, cinnamon, ginger and cloves. Stir until combined
5. Finally add your evaporated milk and stir until fully combined
6. Pour the mixture into your pie base and bake for 40-50mins or until a knife comes out of the centre of the pie clean (mine took closer to 50mins)
7. Once cooked, remove from the oven and allow to cool
8. Serve with some delicious whipped cream

And that’s it. Your classic Thanksgiving dessert. 

And just like the Macy’s day Thanksgiving Parade it is time to say Goodbye Thanksgiving, Hello Christmas. Be prepared for seasonal excitement!