Thanksgiving Menu Suggestions: Part 1 - Sides

And so it begins! If you are still planning your Thanksgiving feast, allow me to present a few dishes for your consideration. There were so many to choose from that I created two posts; first one is dedicated to sides - my personal favorite part of the meal. Next look for hors d'oeuvres and desserts. Enjoy!

Cornbread and Smoked Oyster Stuffing
The star of this dish is the smoked oysters - it takes only a few but they infuse the stuffing with amazing flavor and yummyness! Truly a show stopper!

Fennel, Celery and Herb Salad
is a fantastic side dish to cut through all of the richness of the turkey and gravy and mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes and creamed onions and need I go on? This is bracingly crisp and crunchy and just enough acid to refresh your taste buds for another round of all of the above!

Potatoes and Green Beans with Dijon Vinaigrette
Green beans always make an appearance on our feast table and this dish is a bit different. A fantastic homemade Dijon vinaigrette tossed with some warm potatoes.

Swiss Chard, Onion and Potato Gratin
Gratin usually means cream and cheese and a few veggies thrown in for good measure. Not this one. This is veggie goodness with out any dairy and trust me, it is stupendous. Having some vegans attending? Include this dish and they will be singing your praises into the new year!

Basque Beet Salad with Garlic and Parsley
If you are trying to cook seasonally, this beet salad is just the ticket. It is simple, easy and quick to make - let someone else put it together as you make the gravy - and wow folks with your elegant simplicity!

Braised Red Cabbage with Cranberries and Mint
Not only is this a gorgeous color, but the dried cranberries and mint are a match made in heaven. Red cabbage is sweeter than its green cousin and this simple saute is another delicious seasonal vegetable that just makes your table look pretty.

Cauliflower Gratin
Ahh, the decadence of cauliflower gratin. Really. This dish will make people swoon, fall out of their chairs in rapture. Be sure to make lots of it because it will astound you! A butter bread crumb topping over nutty melt in your mouth cauliflower with just a smattering of cheese. It's slap-your-neighbor's-hand-so-you-get-the-last-serving good. Don't say I didn't warn you!

And saving the best for last,  Caramelized Shredded Brussels Sprouts. Thanksgiving is just not thanksgiving without a huge bowl of these beauties. This is essentially a quick saute but if you make a big batch (2-3lbs depending on how many we're serving) they will take more like 15 minutes to cook up. But they are food of the gods, making a Brussels Sprouts lover out of any naysayer.


Happy Thanksgiving to you all! May your gratitude and love abound and live through the whole year!

Hugs!