Fall is just around the corner and that means it’s time to start preparing for Thanksgiving! One of the easiest ways to make your meal more exciting is by adding a few new dishes. Here are five easy side dishes for your Thanksgiving feast:
1) Mashed Rutabega
Rutabegas have a similar texture to potatoes, but they are much healthier. To make these mashed rutabegas, peel the raw vegetable and boil it until you can easily stick a fork in them. Mash them into smaller pieces with another vegetable such as cauliflower. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder and butter before mixing in milk or cream (start with less liquid than you think you will need). You can also add in a little bit of cheese if you like. Enjoy these with the rest of your meal!
2) Cornbread Stuffing
The problem with traditional stuffing is that it’s so bland. Try mixing up your stuffing by substituting breadcrumbs for cornbread (try to find one with a nice, sweet flavor). You can either use a pre-made cornbread mix or make it from scratch. Add in veggies such as chopped green peppers, onions and celery along with spices such as sage and thyme. Add in some broth and even some sausage if you like. This is one of the easiest ways to spice up your stuffing.
3) Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin pie is a holiday classic, but it’s can be bland and overly sweet if done incorrectly. Spice it up by using pumpkin puree instead of canned pumpkin (just blend the whole pumpkin in a food processor until smooth). You can even use fresh whipped cream from the farm to top off your pie! For more flavor, add in cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves when you add in the sugar.
4) Roasted Corn
Roasted corn is an easy and delicious way to get a bit of a change from your standard mashed potatoes. To roast corn, simply cut the ends of your corn cobs off (you won’t need them). Then lay each one in a roasting pan and add 1/2 cup of water. Bake at 400 degrees for 30-40 minutes, or until the husk goes limp. Then simply pull off the husk and serve with butter!
5) Green Bean Casserole
This classic casserole is great because it can be made using many different vegetables. Pick up a package of frozen or fresh green beans and cook until tender. Add in cubed ham, bacon or sausage to taste (if you’re going meatless, try using a small can of sliced mushrooms). Add in peas or carrots for an added flavor boost. Mix in some cheddar cheese and lid it all with crescent rolls! Bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes, then sprinkle with cheese before serving.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed our Thanksgiving Side Dishes article. These are all great ideas for side dishes that will make your Thanksgiving more exciting and interesting.
