Thanksgiving Side Dishes

By: Aeron  Lancero

 

Thanksgiving is a big tradition in this country that gets observed by everyone, whether natural-born or not, as it is a tradition that gets embedded in you, making you feel eating and enjoying turkey in the observance of the history of thanksgiving.

Instead of talking about the traditional turkey dish, let us touch on the much-overlooked side dishes that go with the thanksgiving dinner, that adds to the palatable dinner of any household sering the traditional turkey dinner. Here are some of the favorites…

low-Cooker Sweet Potatoes with Bacon

This sweet-and-salty side could not be easier to prep on Thanksgiving morning. Best part? It’s made in the slow cooker, so you’re saving valuable stovetop space.

Roasted Vegetable Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette

Make Ahead: Store Apple Cider Vinaigrette in an airtight container or jar. When it’s ready to serve, shake it vigorously to blend the ingredients, and check to see if it needs a little extra salt or pepper.

Grandmother Carter’s Cornbread Dressing

Make Ahead: Start with Cornbread Crumbles. Freeze the unbaked dressing mixutre in 2 (1-gal.) zip-top plastic freezer bags, making sure to press out all of the excess air. Thaw in refrigerator five days before Thanksgving, and continue recipe with Step 4.

Mashed Potatoes with Greens

Make Ahead: Prepare this recipe and freeze. Thaw potato mixture in the fridge at least 24 hours before you plan to serve, and let it stand 20 minutes before baking as directed.

 

Cheese Cracker-Topped Squash Casserole

Crush a few crackers and tossed the crumbs with paprika to help the whole fish stand out.

Green Bean Salad with Hearts of Palm

If you can’t find haricots verts (small, thin French green beans), use regular beans. Make ahead: Blanch the beans up to three days before, wrap them in damp paper towels, and store in a zip-top plastic freezer bag. Compose and dress the salad just before the big feast.

Two-Potato Gratin

This luscious gratin strikes a happy middle chord for those hungry for potatoes and those vying for a sweet potato casserole.

Squash Casserole

Why limit French fried onions to green bean casserole? We love them on this cheesy squash casserole, too.

Kale-and-Collards Salad

When making this bracing salad, dress the kale and collards in advance to tenderize them.

Roasted Cauliflower-and- Garlic Soup

Roasting cauliflower brings out a delicious nutty flavor and gives the soup a gorgeous silky texture. Prepare the soup up to two days ahead. Let cool; cover and chill. Reheat just before you’re ready to serve. Serve the soup as a seated starter while your turkey rests.

Old-Fashioned Giblet-Egg Gravy

Feel free to omit the egg or giblets, but do start with homemade chicken or turkey stock or the best broth you can buy.

Brussels Sprouts with Ham and Caramelized Onions

Easy seared Brussels sprouts get salty-sweet undertones from crispy ham and long-cooked onions.

Chorizo-and-Cornbread Dressing

Julia Child’s iconic

Cornbread Sausage Stuffing and lively table conversation. The spicier the stuffing, the livelier the conversation at Thanksgiving dinner table,