Well folks, Thanksgiving is less than one week away. What are your plans? Traveling? Staying home? Having folks over?

We have decided to stay put and have some folks over. We have two couples (no kids) confirmed and several other families that have not committed, one coming later for dessert. I have a turkey on order at Sun Harvest (organic, raised in spacious indoor/outdoor cages, they assure me). I’m thinking if everyone coming brings one or two items, we should have plenty of food.

So, I’ve planned only the turkey and a pie on my part. I had thought I’d make a pumpkin pie, but what was I thinking? My husband requests his favorite holiday pie every year – for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I usually wind up making several of these each year during the holiday season for various occasions. What pie am I talking about?

Cranberry-Apple Holiday Pie

  • 3 cups peeled and sliced cooking apples
  • 1 3/4 cups fresh cranberries
  • 1/4 cup orange juice
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tablespoon ground arrowroot, or 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice
  • 1 9-inch pie shell
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon butter or coconut oil
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans

Combine the first five ingredients in a 2 quart casserole, cover. Microwave at HIGH for 6 to 8 minutes or until cranberry skins pop, stirring every 2 minutes.

Combine arrowroot and 2 tablespoons orange juice, mixing well; gradually stir into cranberry mixture, mixing well. Microwave, uncovered, at HIGH for one minute or until thickened and bubbly. Pour into pastry shell, and set aside.

Combine flour, brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, ans salt; cut in butter with a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add pecans, stirring well. Sprinkle topping over filling. Bake at 350 degrees in oven 10-15 minutes or until butter is melted. Let cool completely. Makes one pie.

If you’re not keen on using the microwave, the filling could be made in a saucepan on the stove. Same procedure, until cranberries pop, etc., just a little longer. I may try making my own pie crust since I didn’t find any at Sun Harvest. Anyone out there have an easy and simple recipe for pie crust?

Whatever you’re doing, whoever you’re visiting, have a wonderful Thanksgiving!