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While all families have "Traditional" menus and favorites for Thanksgiving, I've created my own menu which my family loves. It includes some of the "traditional" items, but, cooked MY way.

How many times have you gone to relatives homes for Thanksgiving dinner and did not enjoy the food? Either the turkey was too dry, the dressing too wet, or the pies too sweet. Or what about the times you went just to be sociable then came home and ate your own already cooked meal? Let's face it, sometimes "traditions" need a little lift.

I still serve turkey,but now I barbecue it. I marinate turkey that I cut from a whole bird for two or three days in a spice rub, then grill it over coals until the skin is crispy and the meat is tender before brushing it lightly with home-made barbecue sauce.

Stuffing or dressing is a meal in itself when I mix cubed bread, sausage, apples, cranberries, walnuts, celery, sage, broth and spices. Don't forget to add the giblets that have been boiled and diced. UMMMM.

I usually serve several sides, depending on how many people will be served. My own baked macaroni and cheese which has pressed garlic and nutmeg, Kale and collard greens mixed together and cooked with smoked turkey wings and mashed sweet potatoes is served instead of sweet potato pie. I also have tossed salad and a few appetizers including deviled eggs, veggies and dip and fresh fruit.

Instead of the dreaded pumpkin pie, I make pumpkin/banana muffins. These are more more kid-friendly. I always have rolls or biscuits to help people sop up the juices from the greens or the sauce from the barbecued turkey.

There is one "traditional" food I can't seem to do without. That is the canned, jellied cranberry sauce. It just looks sooo cute sitting on your plate in those perfect little circles. I've tried whole berry and home made, but, my family still likes the canned stuff.

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