For me, Thanksgiving is less about the turkey and more about the delicious side dishes (if you’re a turkey lover, don’t judge me).
Real talk though, Thanksgiving is a culinary opportunity to entertain and wow your guests. It’s my biggest pet peeve when people just succumb to laziness and make the same, boring and traditional side dishes (I’m looking at you mashed potatoes).
This year, I challenge you to step outside of your culinary comfort zone and spice up at least one of your traditional thanksgiving side dishes with one of my fun twists below.
1) Whipped Truffle Mashed Potatoes Stuffed Tomatoes: Doesn’t this just sound better than plain old boring mashed potatoes? With just a few extra steps (hollowing out some tomatoes and adding a little truffle salt to your mashed potatoes), you can make a side dish that everyone will remember. I made it last year for my fiancé’s family and it was a hit. Check out the recipe here.
2) “Cheesy” Creamed Corn: Despite the name, this dish actually doesn’t have any cheese in it at all! Forget the canned corn this Thanksgiving and make this memorable and homemade creamed corn dish. Here is the recipe.
3) Homemade Green Bean Casserole: When I say homemade, I mean no canned soup or frozen/canned green beans. I know, it might seem stressful, but making this delicious dish from scratch will only take about 20 minutes longer and taste about 100 times better. This is my #1 most requested side dish from all of my friends and family. Give it a try. Recipe here.
4) Drunken Caramelized Brussels Sprouts: If you’re going to get drunk on Thanksgiving, you should share the wealth with your food ;)! These tangy & crispy sprouts are surely a crowd pleaser. I used to just roast my sprouts with a little olive oil in the oven, but I found that adding a touch of alcohol to them just makes them all the more unique! Recipe is here.
5) Kale, Butternut Squash and Caramelized Shallot Salad: This is a totally unique side dish that will totally surprise your guests. It tastes like fall with the sweet butternut squash, but it’s got a hint of spice from the cayenne pepper. Get the recipe here.
Don’t these spice-up Thanksgiving sides sound much more fun? Which one are you gong to make?
Love always,
Erica
