My Top 5 Must-Have Traditions for Thanksgiving

My uncle has this fried turkey thing down! So much so, that neighbors, coworkers and in-laws are always putting in orders for him to make them one. The secret is in the marinade. Now, I can't reveal the recipe, but it does include Tony's Creole Seasoning. YUM! The boys all wake up super early Thanksgiving morning, pop open a beer and begin frying. Now, oven roasted turkey is fabulous on its own, but once you deep fry one, your oven will solely be on stuffing and casserole duty.

I always look forward to this dish and it's so easy to make. Sweet corn, cream cheese, evaporated milk and pickled jalapenos! It's the perfect combination of sweet, hot and creamy. I'm always in charge of making this dish and I'm usually the one who eats the most of it too... haha!

One of my favorite things to watch on Thanksgiving is my aunt make the stuffing, or as some call it the dressing. I love watching her spread out the bread on these massive baking sheets. Once toasted she mixes in the celery, seasoning, chicken stock and magic haha!

I have to admit, I'm a huge fan of the cranberry sauce from a can. I can really go to town on that stuff, but there is something to be said for homemade cranberry sauce. I'm talking about cooking down the cranberries adding in some orange zest. O.M.G. is it good. Sorry, Ocean Spray, but y'all ain't got nothing on good old fashioned cooking.

What I love about my family is that we try to to everything together, extended family and all. My cousins are my brothers and sisters. I'm as close with my aunts and uncles as I am my own parents. So when I think about the holidays, I can't help but get giddy about spending time with my loved ones. And there's no recipe needed for family.