Whether you are hosting or attending Thanksgiving, sometimes it can be stressful to keep things fresh and fun! Obviously, we all love traditional dishes for the holiday season, but bringing a new dish can be a great conversation starter.
Here are 5 sides to make for your Thanksgiving dinner!
Rainbow Brown Sugar Carrots
What you need:
- 1 pound of rainbow carrots
- 2 tbsp of EVOO
- 1-2 tbsp of brown sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
What to do:
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Wash and peel the rainbow carrots. Cut them into uniform sticks or coins for even cooking. In a bowl, toss the carrots with olive oil, brown sugar, salt, and pepper until evenly coated. Place the carrots on a baking sheet in a single layer. Roast in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes or until the carrots are tender and caramelized, stirring once halfway through. Once done, remove from the oven and garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve your colorful and delicious Rainbow Brown Sugar Carrots as a vibrant side dish!
Cinnamon Fried Apples
What you need:
- 4 apples, cored and sliced
- 2 tbsp of butter
- 1-2 tbsp of brown sugar
- 1 tsp of ground cinnamon
- A pinch of salt
- Optional toppings: whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or chopped nuts
What to do:
Heat the butter in a skillet over medium heat until melted. Add the sliced apples to the skillet and cook for about 2-3 minutes until they start to soften. Sprinkle brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt over the apples. Stir to combine. Continue cooking the apples for another 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are tender and caramelized. Remove the skillet from heat and let the apples cool slightly. Serve the warm Cinnamon Fried Apples in a bowl and top with your choice of whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or chopped nuts for extra flavor.
Maple Bacon Brussels
What you need:
- 1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
- 4-6 slices of bacon, chopped
- 1-2 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
What to do:
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a skillet, cook the chopped bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet and set it aside, leaving the bacon grease in the pan. Add the halved Brussels sprouts to the skillet with the bacon grease. Cook them for about 5-7 minutes until they start to brown. Drizzle the maple syrup over the Brussels sprouts and stir to coat evenly. Transfer the Brussels sprouts to a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Roast in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the Brussels sprouts are tender and caramelized. Sprinkle the cooked bacon over the roasted Brussels sprouts before serving.
Brown Butter Roasted Mushrooms
What you need:
- 1 pound of mushrooms, cleaned and quartered
- 4 tbsp of butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary (optional)
What to do:
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Cook the butter until it turns a light golden brown color and gives off a nutty aroma. Be careful not to burn the butter. Toss the quartered mushrooms in the brown butter until they are coated evenly. Spread the mushrooms on a baking sheet in a single layer. Season with salt, pepper, and any fresh herbs you like. Roast the mushrooms in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway through, until they are golden brown and tender. Once roasted, remove the mushrooms from the oven and serve them hot as a flavorful side dish.
Pumpkin Whipped Feta
What you need:
- 8 oz feta cheese
- 1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Honey for drizzling (optional)
- Chopped fresh herbs for garnish (such as parsley or thyme)
What to do:
In a food processor, combine the feta cheese, pumpkin puree, olive oil, minced garlic, ground cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Blend the mixture until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed. Taste and adjust the seasonings if necessary. Transfer the whipped feta to a serving bowl. Drizzle with honey if desired for a touch of sweetness. Garnish with chopped fresh herbs like parsley or thyme for a pop of color and freshness. Serve the Pumpkin Whipped Feta with crackers, bread, or vegetable sticks for a tasty appetizer or snack.