Here are some fun ideas from one of my favorite Websites!~

http://www.ourbestbites.com/2009/11/thanksgiving-menu-ideas.html

Bow-Tie Spinach Salad

No cranberries, but Craisins are close right?

Bow-Tie Spinach Salad
2 cups cooked chicken
1 box Bow-tie Pasta, cooked & drained
1/2 bunch green onion, chopped
3 oz Craisins
1/4 cup slivered almonds OR honey-roasted sunflower seeds
2 cans mandarin oranges, drained
1 bag baby leaf spinach

Dressing:
1 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup rice wine vinegar
2/3 cup teriyaki sauce
6 Tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Mix ingredients for dressing. Mix together chicken, pasta, and green onions. Pour 1/2 dressing over and let marinate. When you're ready to eat add everything else and mix. Usually there is enough dressing on that I don't use the other 1/2 , but some people like to add more on.

Meatballs with Rice

Hello Ladies!! Thanks so much for including me. This is so fun, and I'm going to love your recipes as I'm always looking for something new to try. As I told Leah, I love easy recipes, so here is a great EASY, YUMMY one that the kids should enjoy too.

MEATBALLS OVER RICE

Approx. 25 Meatballs (preferrably "dinner size")

1 can cranberry sauce

1 jar salsa

Mix cranberry sauce and salsa with a wire wisk. Pour sauce in a crockpot. Add frozen meatballs (I like Stauffers or even Walmart's). Cook on low 4-5 hours, or high 2-3 hours. Spoon meatballs and sauce over rice.

Enjoy!

~Jodi Nelson

Hearty Tomato Soup

I know this isn't really a side dish but I've been asked by several people for the recipe so here ya go. Enjoy!

Hearty Tomato Soup

2 Tbls. butter
6 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 clove garlic, chopped
1/2 tsp. dried basil leaves
1/2 tsp. paprika
2 c. milk
2 cans condensed tomato soup
2 cans (14 1/2 ounces each) crushed tomatoes

-Melt butter and cream cheese in a sauce pan.

Stir in garlic, basil, and paprika. Gradually stir in milk and soup.

Beat with a wire whisk until smooth. Stir in tomatoes and stir until hot.
I like to grate cheese on top before serving.

Ham Fried Rice

Ham Fried Rice

4 cups cooked rice (cooled)

4 scrambled eggs

1 small diced green onion

1 ½ lbs diced ham

Soy sauce

Fry ham in big pan. Add onions and eggs. Add rice and as much soy sauce as desired.

Baked Beans

Baked Beans

Cook 2 strips of bacon, break up into pieces.

Keep bacon grease, saute’ 1 tsp chopped onion. Mix 1 can pork & beans, ¼ cup ketchup, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 squirt worchestshire sauce, mix and simmer for 30 min.

Corn Bread Dressing (a southern meal)

This is a Thanksgiving Day favorite! Way better than your usual "stuffing"...lol

**Corn Bread Dressing**

Quaker corn meal- make as directed for easy cornbread – only do flour ¾ cup & cornmeal 1 ¼ cup, no sugar, Yes salt and everything else. Cook, break up when cool.

Simmer ½ chopped onion with 2 sticks of butter on low heat.

Mix cornbread and onions. Add 2 tsp sage, salt, pepper, 2 cans c/chicken soup & 1 ½ can water. Mix together. It’s fairly runny…taste…see if needs more salt, pepper, etc. Place in 9x13 pan 350 for 1 hour.

Kylee's Cream Corn (from Tracy Doyle)

Kylee's Cream Corn

20 oz. frozen baby white corn
1/2 pint liquid whipping cream
1/2 pint liquid half and half cream
you can use milk if you want
1 tsp salt
2 Tbsp sugar
pinch of white pepper or cyan pepper

Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 min.

Blend in a separate bowl;
2 Tbsp butter - melted
2 Tbsp flour

Combine to the corn mixture, to thicken

Pour into casserole dish and sprinkle the top with parmesan cheese and broil (just to brown the dish)

Spanish Rice Mix

Spanish Rice Mix

4 cups uncooked rice

1tsp salt

1 tbsp chili powder

2 tsp cumin

Combine evenly. Store in airtight container.

To Cook:

1 cup rice mix

2 cups cold water

1tbsp butter

Combine, boil, cover and reduce heat. Cook 20 min until no liquid.