Thanksgiving Knitting & A Tasty Recipe

 

This year we'll be celebrating Thanksgiving, along with one of my sisters and her family, at my brother's home.

Although I love my family, hours spent in a bustling house full of people can be nerve-wracking, so an easy, on-the-go knitting project is a must for me to relax with while catching up with everyone after the dinner dishes are done.

I'm taking the project shown in the photo above, a simple scarf made from Fleece Artist's Nyoni wool/ silk/ kid mohair/ nylon fingering-weight yarn.   

Interestingly, the yarn feels both rough and smooth at the same time.  That is to say, it is smooth and lovely to knit with, but still has enough roughness and is not too soft.

The silk and mohair content add rich luster and grab the dye differently from the other fibers, and I love how it softens to a silky drape after blocking.  Yum!

And speaking of yum, my friend Mary is a super baker, and when I sampled her pecan praline-topped pumpkin pie, made from her mother's recipe, I knew she had another winner. 

I have my own favorite spicy custard cream pumpkin pie recipe, but I'm using Mary's idea for a pecan praline layer on top to make the pies for our Thanksgiving festivities.  If you like pecans or toffee, I think you will love it too.

If you are short on time this week (who isn't?) this topping could dress up a store-bought pie, and if you serve it from a glass pie dish, nobody will know you didn't make it if you don't tell them.

Serve it slightly warm with a little heavy whipping cream, or topped with vanilla ice cream for a swoon-worthy treat for your gathering.    

Pecan Praline Pie Topping Recipe

Makes enough topping to cover one pre-baked pie.

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp butter, melted

2/3 cup brown sugar (I used dark brown)

3/4 cup coarsely chopped pecan pieces

1/2 tsp vanilla (optional)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400* F

In medium-sized bowl, stir together butter, brown sugar and vanilla, until thoroughly combined.  Stir in pecans, coat thoroughly. 

Spread topping evenly over your pre-baked pie, starting with the outer edges and working towards the center.  Be careful not to spread topping too close to the edge as it will melt and spread slightly during baking.

Place pie on a cookie sheet in the center of oven, bake 10 minutes.  Remove from oven and let cool completely.  Use caution when handling hot pie, praline topping is very hot and can easily burn bare skin.