By Sarah Fertsch
Staff Writer
Thanksgiving has traditionally centered around one dish: turkey. In fact, it’s foretold that the English colonists brought “geese and other birds” to the legendary feast. When Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday, pioneers would hunt turkeys for their families. But it’s 2021, and turkey is so last year. I’m not asking you to spare the bird (that’s the president’s job), but instead show some flare and pair the turkey with unforgettable side dishes. If you make the mashed potatoes and stuffing special, your guests will be amazed at your attention to detail and modern sensibilities. Here are five side dishes that you’ll be thankful for:
Balsamic Brussel Sprouts
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of brussel sprouts, cleaned and quartered
- 3 cloves of garlic, crushed
- 1 hearty splash of balsamic vinegar
- 3 tbsp of maple syrup
- ¼ cup of brown sugar
- 2 tbsp of soy sauce
- 2 tbsp of salt
- ½ cup of crispy onions
Once you’ve cleaned and quartered the sprouts, pour them into a large saute pan (heated with a splash of olive oil). Saute over medium heat until fully cooked and slightly burnt.
In a saucepan over medium heat, combine soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, syrup, garlic and salt. Cook until the sauce is thick and mixed thoroughly (use a whisk).
Pour the glaze over the cooked sprouts and mix until all the sprouts are evenly coated.
Place sprouts onto a serving platter and top with crispy onions. Enjoy!
Herby Traditional Stuffing
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of French bread, day-old, white
- 2 large onions, diced
- 8 cloves of garlic
- 3 cups of chicken stock
- 2 large carrots, chopped
- 1 cup of butter, melted
- 1 cup of bacon fat, melted
- 2 tbsp of rosemary
- 2 tbsp of thyme
- 2 tbsp of salt
- 1 tbsp of parsley
- 2 tbsp of salt
- 2 tbsp of pepper
- 2 tbsp of garlic powder
- 2 tbsp of onion powder
Tear bread into bite size pieces and place in a Dutch oven.
In a large mixing bowl, combine butter, bacon fat, and spices.
In a medium pan, saute onions and carrots until they are soft. Add garlic and turn off heat when the garlic is fragrant.
Pour the contents of the bowl and pan into the Dutch oven. Distribute evenly.
Cover and bake in a 400 degree oven for 45 minutes. Serve warm!
Super Sweet Potato Casserole
Ingredients:
- 3 pounds of sweet potatoes, cubed
- 1 macintosh apple, cubed
- 2 cups of brown sugar
- 2 tbsp of cinnamon
- 1 cup of mini marshmallows
- 1 cup of chopped pecans
- 2 cups of butter, melted
- ¼ cup of maple syrup
- ½ cup of heavy cream
- 2 tbsp of vanilla extract
Clean, peel, chop and boil potatoes until they are soft. Using an electric mixer, combine potatoes, apple, butter, maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, heavy cream, and vanilla extract. Mix until thick and smooth.
Pour mixture into a rectangle glass pan. Pour pecans and marshmallows on top. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 30 minutes until nuts are fragrant and marshmallows are melted. Enjoy!
Harvest Pasta
Ingredients:
- 1 box of penne or rigatoni
- 2 pounds of ground beef, grass-fed
- 1 cup of cubed butternut squash
- ½ cup of carrots, shredded
- 1 cup of walnuts, chopped and baked
- 1 cup of parmesan, shredded
- ½ cup of basil leaves, torn
- 1 lemon, squeezed
- 1 green apple, diced
- 3 cloves of garlic, crushed
- ½ cup of melted butter
- 2 tbsp of salt
- 2 tbsp of pepper
Boil water and cook pasta al dente. Pour in a large mixing bowl and set aside.
Roast butternut squash, apple, and garlic in a 400 degree oven for 25 minutes.
Roast chopped walnuts for 5 minutes at 400 degrees.
Saute beef over medium heat until brown and set aside.
In the mixing bowl with the pasta, add salt, pepper, butter, lemon juice, and basil leaves. Mix evenly. Add squash, apple, garlic and beef. Mix well and serve in bowls. Use additional basil leaves as a garnish.
Gingerbread
Ingredients:
- 3 cups of all-purpose flour
- 2 cups of white sugar
- 1 cup of brown sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tbsp of salt
- 2 tbsp of baking powder
- 2 tbsp of vanilla extract
- 3 tbsp of cinnamon
- 1 stick of butter, melted
- 2 cups of molasses
- 3 tbsp of ginger, freshly grated
- 1 tbsp of nutmeg
- Powdered Sugar
Sift flour and add to a medium-sized mixing bowl. Add salt and baking powder and stir.
In a large bowl, mix (using an electronic mixer) sugar, brown sugar, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla until thick and creamy. Slowly add dry ingredients, stirring on low speed and adding in batches.
Add cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and molasses. Mix thoroughly.
Pour batter into a nonstick bread pan and bake at 400 degrees for 60-70 minutes. Let cool completely, and top with powdered sugar.
