I'm Thankful for a Thoughtful Thanksgiving

I ran this entry a couple of years ago.  It still holds true and more.  Now that we've done this a couple of times, it's really amazing how easy (but awesomely thoughtful) it has been to have a welcoming holiday feast.  We've had a wide range of appetizers and dips, side dishes and desserts.  Family members have sought out ways to adapt new recipes and old favorites so that everyone can be included.  I remain filled with gratitude for the lovely, warm people in my life.

I decided to re-run it so that I could include it in the Gluten-free Holiday Event.  Today's theme is holiday traditions, and in our family thoughtfulness is a tradition that's here to stay.  Please head over to Cook It Allergy Free to see a Thanksgiving's bounty of recipes and traditions.  You can also enter to win a copy of The Gluten-free Asian Kitchen while you're there!

If you're looking for a different take on cranberry sauce, give this one using cranberries, pears and coconut palm sugar from last year a try.





This year, my family's doing Thanksgiving a little differently than we've done it in the past. This year we're getting together with my sister's family and her in-laws. After years of everyone knowing about our special diet needs, we didn't know how it would go explaining our family's restrictions with a new crowd. I am overwhelmed by how generous my brother-in-law's family has been about providing side dishes that everyone can eat. We don't eat dairy, eggs, or nuts, and these are staples in traditional Thanksgiving dishes.

It's a pot-luck Thanksgiving, and I'm only bringing dessert. Even so, we will stuff ourselves this year with cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, stuffing, vegetables, and salad that are all safe for us! (Of course, the pumpkin pie, apple pie and brownies will be Welcoming Kitchen safe, as well!) We don't eat turkey, so we'll provide a vegan alternative for our clan (and anyone else who's interested), and others will eat turkey, but aside from that, everyone is working to make our Thanksgiving a welcoming one.

This outpouring of kindness makes this Thanksgiving an especially thankful one for my family. Megan and I wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving, too.

We shared this recipe as part of the Thanksgiving-themed bounty at Allergy Friendly Fridays.

Happy Cooking!

Kim and Megan

p.s. I'm in the kitchen working on a Welcoming Kitchen cranberry-tangerine muffin. If it works out, I'll post it later!