For Thanksgiving 2022

 

Gift of Food

“And God said, ‘Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.’”

Genesis 1:29

          Right about now, cooks all over America are beginning to think about Thanksgiving. It’s still a week away, but since it is the biggest feast day of the year, it pays to plan ahead. Besides this year, we’re trying to be smart with our food purchases. I recommend Aldi if you have one near you. They have the best prices by far.

          This time of year, I like to share a recipe and this one is a favorite. It makes two big loaves of cake, or four small ones. I make it every year in small bread pans to give away as gifts. It came on the power bill several years ago, believe it or not. A woman named Shirley Turpin, here in Birmingham submitted it to Alabama Power in their yearly request for favorite recipes. I don’t know Ms. Turpin, but I thank her for her delicious Apple Cake recipe. Here it is:

Apple Cake

2 cups sugar (I substitute 1 cup for coconut sugar)

2 teaspoons Vanilla

1 cup oil

1 cup chopped nuts

2 eggs

3 cups all-purpose flour

dash of salt

3 cups finely chopped apples (granny smith or other crisp tart apple)

1 teaspoon baking soda

¼ to ½ cup water, if needed

Grease and flour two 9-by-5-inch loaf pans (or 3-4 small loaf pans). Combine sugar, oil, eggs, vanilla, dash of salt and baking soda. Mix well. Add nuts (I like pecans) and apples to the mixture and stir. Gradually add the flour. If the mixture seems too dry, add water a little at a time. Pour the mixture into loaf pans and bake at 325 (I use 350) for 45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Serve with ice cream, whipped cream, or cream cheese.

          Food is one of the most precious gifts of God. Think how much pleasure we enjoy every day from the deliciousness of ordinary food. Food that we share with others is communion of the best kind. Most of us have a surfeit of “things” that we don’t need. Why increase that with more things. Give food instead—and especially donate to community food banks this year. The cost of food has gone way up, making it hard for the elderly and working poor to afford a feast for Thanksgiving. We can help without too much sacrifice. Think of someone who is no longer with you, who will not be at your table this year, and make a donation in their memory.

          Most of us have much to be grateful for this Thanksgiving. For one thing, if you’re still here reading this, you have survived the pandemic. And if you are planning a dinner that gathers your family around you, even better. We’ve lost much, we’ve survived in spite of it, we’ve grieved for those who are gone, and now it’s time to celebrate life. May Thanksgiving, 2022, be a joyful occasion for all. I’m thankful for you.

                                                  In the Spirit,

                                                  Jane