Make these dishes part of your Thanksgiving celebration

Thanksgiving has always been special to me. When I was little, we would always go to my grandparents' house for the holiday. Inside their home the food spanned the length of the kitchen. Those traditional flavors and fragrances have made a lasting impression on me.

As I grew up, the celebration continued at my mom's and dad's house. Now, I, too, use many of my mom's and grandma's recipes to create a great feast that reflects all the tastes I remember, with a few new twists.

I hope these dishes will be a part of your celebration, too.

Lickin' Good Jello Salad

Serving size: 8

3 ounces Jell-O gelatin

1 cup boiling water

1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

1 small bottle maraschino cherries, chopped

1 small can crushed pineapple, drained

8 ounces cream cheese

8 ounces Cool Whip Lite¨

Mix boiling water with Jell-O gelatin, let cool and partially set. Do not allow to get too stiff. Cut up nuts and cherries and mix with drained pineapple. Add to Jell-O. Cut up the cream cheese and then blend into Cool Whip. Mix well. Add to the fruit and Jell-O mixture. Pour into Jell-O mold and allow to set.

Broccoli-Cauliflower Salad

Serving size: 8

1 head cauliflower, break or cut up flowers

1/2 bunch raw broccoli, cut into small pieces

1/2 pound bacon, fried and crumbled

1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

Dressing:

1 cup salad dressing

3/4 cup sour cream

1 small onion, diced

1 teaspoon sugar

Mix dressing together. Add broccoli, cauliflower, cheese onion and bacon. Can be made the day before for the flavors to blend.

Famous Pecan Pie

Serving size: 8

3 eggs

1 cup Karo light or dark corn syrup

1 cup sugar

2 tablespoons butter, melted

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 cup pecans

1 9-inch unbaked pastry shell

Beat eggs slightly in a small bowl with mixer at medium speed. Beat in corn syrup, sugar, butter, vanilla and salt. Stir in pecans. Pour filling into unbaked pastry shell. Bake in 350-degree oven for 55-60 minutes or until knife inserted halfway between center and edge comes out clean. Cool. Serve with whipped cream or ice cream.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Many people observe one Thanksgiving Day and 364 days of complaining. Wouldn't it be great to crowd all of our grumbling into one day, and celebrate 364 days of Thanksgiving?

GARY'S TIP: Onions will not make the eyes water if scalding water is poured over them before they are peeled.