Nutrition & Good EatingHealthy eating habits, cooking tips, and restaurant reviews

The side dishes for Thanksgiving (and other holidays as well) are as important as the Turkey.  My mother was not only a great chef, she was a gifted artist and her food table was always distinctive and appealing.  Family and other guests would always marvel at her artistic accomplishments as much as they would appreciate her talents in the kitchen.   Since the appearance of our table was so important, mom developed a series of mold recipes which assisted in making our food table as appealing as it was, but had the added advantage of also being delicious. 
 
I have learned to cook many of my mother's wonderful recipes, but I admit that without her artistic talents, my table does not resemble hers.  However, one simple way to make your table more appealing is using some interesting molds.  You can garnish the mold and use it as a centerpiece and your table instantly takes on a more professional appearance.  The following are several mold recipes that are easy to prepare and particularly suitable for Thanksgiving:
 
CRANBERRY JUICE MOLD
 
2 cups cranberry juice
1 package lemon gelatin
1 cup apples, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup walnuts
 
Follow directions on the gelatin using the cranberry juice in place of water.  Chill until partially set.  Mix apples and nuts into the gelatin.  At that point you can pour the mixture  into the mold.  Chill in refrigerator until firm.
Unmold onto plate before serving.
 
 
ORANGE SHERBERT MOLD
 
1 large package orange gelatin
1 pint orange sherbet
2 cups boiling water
1 can mandarin oranges
 
Prepare gelatin according to directions on the package.  Add sherbet while it is hot.  Mix until sherbet melts.  Add mandarin oranges to mixture.  Pour into a lightly greased mold.  Chill until firm.  Unmold before serving.
 
 
ORANGE MOLD
 
2 packages orange gelatin
1 pint sour cream
1 cup crushed pineapple, drained well
1/2 cup seedless grapes
 
Prepare gelatin according to directions on the package.  Let cool.  Add sour cream and beat in electric mixer.  Add crushed pineapple and grapes.  Pour into mold.  Unmold before serving.
 
If you would like to serve this as a dessert, you can make the following topping:
 
1 cup sour cream
3 tablespoons sugar
1 can shredded coconut
 
Mix sugar and sour cream together.  Pour over unmolded dessert.  Cover generously with coconut.