Start a family tradition of cooking dinner together!

Traditionally, Thanksgiving is prepared by Grandma or Mom. They spend hours, even days ahead of time, to ensure that each dish is perfect for the family and guests at the table.

This year, why not put a new twist on the preparation of the Thanksgiving dinner? Get the whole family involved in the preparation of specific dishes.

Here are a couple of suggested recipes that your children could create or at least help to make for the special day.

Serve biscuits with your dinner. Your child will love to help measure, pour, stir, need the dough and cut out the biscuits.

Biscuit Recipe

4 cups of Flour

2 tbsp of baking powder

1 tsp of salt (optional)

1/2 cup of butter or margarine

1/2 cup of shortening

1 tsp of vanilla

1 1/2 cups of milk

With a wire whisk, stir flour, baking powder and salt together. Using a pastry cutter or two table knives, cut in the butter and shortening into the flour mixture. This step is easier when the butter and shortening is at room temperature or slightly cooler. When the butter and shortening are mixed into the flour leaving bit sized chunks; mix the vanilla into the milk and add to the butter/flour mixture. This can be done by hand, mixing only until the mixture forms a ball.

On a flour dusted surface, gently knead biscuit dough until there is no stickiness. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough out till 3/4″ thick. Using a two inch round cookie cutter or any shape, cut out biscuits and place on a baking sheet, evenly spaced. Bake at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for twelve to fifteen minutes. The biscuits will be golden brown on top.

Always be careful when using the oven. Only Mom or Dad can remove the baking pans when the biscuits are ready.

Here is a great dessert to serve and a change to the traditional Pumpkin Pie.

Spicy Nut Pumpkin Loaf

4 cups of flour

1 tbsp of pumpkin pie spice

2 tsp of baking powder

1 tsp of baking soda

3/4 tsp salt (optional)

1 – 15 oz can of pure pumpkin

2 cups of packed brown sugar

1 cup of apple juice 4 large eggs

1/4 cup of vegetable oil

2 tsp of vanilla

1 cup of chopped nuts divided (optional)

While the oven is preheating to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, mix together flour, pumpkin spice, baking powder and soda in a medium sized bowl. In a large bowl combine the sugar, apple juice, eggs, pumpkin, oil and vanilla; mix together well. Mix the flour mixture into the pumpkin mixture with 3/4 of a cup of the chopped nuts.

Prepare two loaf pans, 9″x 5″, with non-stick spray. Pour half of the mixture into each pan and sprinkle the remaining chopped nuts on top of the loaves.

Bake for one hour or until a wooden pick inserted into the centre comes out clean. Let cool. This recipe also makes great muffins.

Remember that kids love to create and be involved with making meals.

With a little planning and creativity, this Thanksgiving dinner can become a family affair to remember! You and your family can happily say, that on this Thanksgiving, everyone discovered the joy of cooking together as a family.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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