There is no need to be embarrassed.
For some of us, it's that shivering tube of cranberry sauce shot straight from the can. For others, it's gravy spooned directly from a jar. All Thanksgiving classics are not classy - and we shouldn't hang our heads over that.One of those classic-but-hardly-classy dishes is Green Bean Bake, a Campbell Soup Co. recipe celebrating its 40th birthday this year. A recent national survey conducted by Opinion Research Corporate found that half of all Americans said they've tasted the green bean/cream of mushroom soup/canned french-fried onion casserole.
The dish is still Campbell's No. 1 requested recipe. The company estimates that 20 million green bean bakes will grace this year's holiday tables.
Another classic, in umpteen variations, is gelatin - either in salads or desserts. Americans have loved gelatin since the turn of the century and Kraft Foods, the maker of Jell-O, says there's no sign of a slowdown. In fact, sales are roaring as baby boomers turn their children onto the joys of their own childhood.
So, dig in. All America is going to be doing exactly the same thing.
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Recipes
CAMPBELL'S GREEN BEAN BAKE
10 3/4-ounces condensed cream of mushroom soup
Dash pepper
4 cups cooked cut green beans, see Note
2.8-ounce can french-fried onions
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon soy sauce
Note: Use 16-ounce bag frozen cut green beans, or 2 packages (about 10 ounces each) frozen cut green beans, or 2 cans (about 16 ounces each) cut green beans, drained, or about 11/2 pounds fresh green beans for cooked green beans.
In 1 1/2-quart casserole mix soup, milk, soy sauce, pepper, beans and 1/2 can onions.
Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until hot.
Stir. Sprinkle remaining onions over bean mixture. Bake 5 minutes more or until onions are golden.
JELL-O CRANBERRY STRAWBERRY SPARKLE
2 cups boiling water
1 package (8-serving size) or 2 packages (4-serving size) cranberry-strawberry flavor gelatin
2 cups cold cranberry juice cocktail or water
1 cup sliced strawberries, see note
1/2 cup blueberries, see note
Note: Or omit blueberries and use 1 pint sliced strawberries.
Stir boiling water into gelatin in medium bowl 2 minutes or until completely dissolved. Stir in cold juice or water. Reserve 2/3 cup. Refrigerate remaining gelatin 11/2 hours or until thickened (spoon drawn through the mixture leaves definite impression). Stir in berries. Spoon into 2-quart bowl. Refrigerate about 30 minutes or until set but not firm (should stick to finger when touched and should mound).
Meanwhile, refrigerate reserved gelatin 25 minutes or until slightly thickened (consistency of unbeaten egg whites). Beat with electric mixer on high speed until gelatin is light and fluffy and doubled in volume. Spoon on top of set gelatin in bowl.
Refrigerate 2 hours or until firm. Store leftovers in refrigerator.