10 Easy Thanksgiving Sides and Starters

Yorkshire Puddings

Yorkshire Puddings

Okay, there are so many “lists” out there of yummy-sounding Thanksgiving recipes that it’s difficult to pick which are best for your holiday table.

Below are 10 easy yet delicious, tested recipes that are sure to enhance your traditional turkey day table.

  1. Cheesy and Garlicky Pull Apart Bread
  2. Corn and Lima Bean Succotash
  3. Duck Fat and Bacon Fingerling Potatoes
  4. Easy Pimento Cheese Dip
  5. Easy Roasted Brussels Sprouts
  6. Fail-Proof Yorkshire Puddings
  7. Green Goddess Dip
  8. Hasselback Potatoes
  9. Pork Belly Deviled Eggs
  10. Sweet Potato Gnocchi in Sage Brown Butter

Cheers,

Veronique

Easy Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Easy Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Raw Brussels Sprouts

Raw Brussels Sprouts

Like many others, I’ve rediscover Brussels sprouts in the last few years. Roasted, earthy, caramelized Brussels sprouts that is…not grandma’s soggy, bitter version.

Roasting Brussels sprouts couldn’t be easier and they’re a crowd pleaser, even for former haters.

  • 1 cup balsamic vinegar
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 16 ounces slab bacon, julienned
  • 2 tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 2 pounds Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
  • ½ tsp. each salt and pepper
Slab Bacon

Slab Bacon

Directions:

  1. In a small saucepan, combine the vinegar and sugar. Heat over medium-low heat for 20 minutes, or until thickened and syrupy. Cool and reserve.
  2. In a heavy skillet, cook the bacon over medium-high heat for about 15 minutes or until browned and crispy. Place the cooked bacon on paper towels to drain and pour all but 4 tablespoons of bacon fat from the pan.
  3. Add butter to the bacon fat and place the skillet over medium heat. Add the Brussels sprouts and cook, carefully flipping the sprouts periodically, until caramelized and golden brown, about 15 minutes.
  4. Season the sprouts with salt and pepper, toss with the bacon and drizzle the balsamic glaze over the dish.

6 side servings.

Butternut Squash and Wild Mushroom Bread Pudding

Butternut Squash and Wild Mushroom Bread Pudding

Just in time for Thanksgiving, a festive recipe by Chef Josh Thomsen of Agricola Community Eatery, opening January 2013.

Ingredients:

  • 1 loaf brioche
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cups diced yellow onions
  • 1-1/2 lbs chanterelle mushrooms, or any combination of domestic mushrooms,
  • shiitake, hedgehog, porcini and oyster
  • 3 cups diced butternut squash
  • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 cup creme fraiche
  • 6 whole eggs
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 1/2 cup grated asiago cheese

Directions:

  1. Roast butternut squash with olive oil, salt and pepper at 400 degrees, about 7 minutes, until tender.
  2. Roast mushrooms with thyme and garlic in a 475 degree oven for 7 minutes.
  3. Remove crust from the bread and cut into 1 inch cubes.
  4. Grease a large baking dish about 12″ by 18″ with some of the butter.
  5. In a large saute pan melt the remaining butter and saute the onions until soft.
  6. In a large bowl, toss together bread, mushrooms, squash and parsley.
  7. In another small bowl, whisk together the milk, creme fraiche, eggs, salt, pepper and cheese. Add the milk mixture to the bread mixture, pour into the baking dish and press down firmly.
  8. Allow pudding to set 30 minutes before baking.
  9. Reduce oven to 350 degrees and bake pudding about 1 hour. If pudding browns, cover with foil. Test for doneness by inserting a knife in the middle, it should come out clean

Serves 18.