{"id":10901,"date":"2012-11-13T06:22:28","date_gmt":"2012-11-13T14:22:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shescookin.com\/?p=10901"},"modified":"2022-08-16T13:45:57","modified_gmt":"2022-08-16T20:45:57","slug":"15-stress-less-sides-for-thanksgiving","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shescookin.com\/15-stress-less-sides-for-thanksgiving\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Stress-less Sides for Thanksgiving"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"healthy<\/a>

Mushroom, Apple, and Sage Stuffed Onions<\/p><\/div>\n

Wow! I feel like it was only yesterday that we said goodbye to the ghouls and goblins of October, but with Thanksgiving next week it’s time to get serious about the menu for the most anticipated and calorie-busting meal of the year. Armed with an arsenal of easy whole food side dish recipes, you can create a memorable Thanksgiving dinner that won’t linger on your waistline for months. Naturally, there’s the iconic centerpiece of our celebration of thankfulness: a glistening, golden brown, hopefully still moist, roasted, grilled, or fried turkey, but this post is dedicated to the supporting cast that is often upstaged and overlooked because we’re busy basting and tending to the golden bird.<\/p>\n

Don’t get me wrong, I love turkey and think its fame should not be relegated to one day; but what gets my taste buds tingling is the aroma of celery, onion, and sage as the dressing bakes to its savory, moist, edges crispy goodness and a colorful array of tempting side dishes.\u00a0And, by this, I don’t mean the ubiquitous green bean casserole consisting of canned mushroom soup, canned green beans and fried onions. Sorry if you’re someone who loves that version, then it might be time to change it up<\/a>!<\/p>\n

From Greg at Sippity Sup who thinks carrots are sadly under-represented at the Thanksgiving table: stunning and simple to prepare\u00a0Perfect Glazed Carrots<\/a>, or an elegant Savory Carrot and Leek Tart<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\"healthy

Carrot and Leek Tart<\/p><\/div>\n

Pamela of My Man’s Belly whips up this incredibly delicious Roasted Cauliflower Hummus that makes her man happy!<\/p>\n

\"cauliflower<\/a>

Roasted Cauliflower Hummus<\/p><\/div>\n

Wendy at La Phemme Phoodie thinks basic ingredients like olive oil, salt and pepper can bring out the flavor of almost any vegetable. Roasted Balsamic Brussels Sprouts<\/a>\u00a0are no exception.<\/p>\n

\"roasted<\/a>

Roasted Balsamic Brussels sprouts<\/p><\/div>\n

Lana from Never Enough Thyme shared her Roasted butternut squash tossed with pecans and blue cheese<\/a>. Easy, quick, and\u00a0full<\/em>\u00a0of flavor!<\/p>\n

\"Butternut<\/a>

Roasted butternut squash with pecans<\/p><\/div>\n

Patty over at Patty’s Food says this quiche is\u00a0fantastic (do you doubt it?)and an easy-to-make warm appetizer for the holidays. She recommends serving small slices of Point Reyes Original Blue Cheese, Apple and Walnut Quiche<\/a> with some bubbly and let the party begin!<\/p>\n

\"healthy<\/a>

Point Reyes blue cheese, apple, and walnut quiche<\/p><\/div>\n

Lana W. shares her vivid storytelling at Bibberche along with family recipes from Serbia and new traditions born in the U.S., like her\u00a0Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\"candied<\/a>

Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes<\/p><\/div>\n

When Jean from Lemons and Anchovies serves these\u00a0Pumpkin Cheddar Scones<\/a> they always draw raves, plus, they’re excellent for a post-Thanksgiving brunch if there are any left!<\/p>\n

\"Thanksgiving<\/a>

Pumpkin cheddar scones<\/p><\/div>\n

Erika Kerekes hosted a blueberry themed Thanksgiving brunch for FBLA (Food Bloggers Los Angeles) and developed this vibrant Butternut Squash, Blueberry Salad<\/a> for the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, if you’re like me, a refreshing salad is necessary to balance all the richness at the Thanksgiving table.<\/p>\n

\"healthy

Butternut Squash Blueberry salad<\/p><\/div>\n

Similar to a chutney, Liz the Chef’s recipe for Cranberry-Walnut Conserve<\/a>\u00a0is based on heritage recipes handed down from her mother and grandmother – give up the can, it’s so easy to make and soooo much better!<\/p>\n

\"healthy<\/a>

Cranberry Chutney<\/p><\/div>\n

Be thankful for the simple things in life, like these Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Apples<\/a> from Suzanne of You Made That? Like I always say, Simple = Sensational!<\/p>\n

\"healthy<\/a>

Roasted sweet potatoes and apples<\/p><\/div>\n

Laura of Tutti Dolci graciously shared her Pumpkin Spice Biscuits<\/a>:\u00a0\u00a0these flaky and tender biscuits are flavored with maple syrup and pumpkin pie spice. Simple to make and always delicious, they’re a\u00a0perfect side dish for your Thanksgiving meal.<\/p>\n

\"Thanksgiving<\/a>

Pumpkin spice biscuits<\/p><\/div>\n

Not only are these vibrant Spice Glazed Carrots <\/a>from Liren at Kitchen Confidante a gorgeous dish to bring to the table, but they are a breeze to make!<\/p>\n

\"healthy<\/a>

Spiced glazed carrots<\/p><\/div>\n

No one does Brussels sprouts better than Lisa at Authentic Suburban Gourmet and, trust me, you and your guests will be going for seconds of her Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"healthy<\/a>

Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts<\/p><\/div>\n

And, finally, here are two simple and sensational family favorite sides from yours truly:<\/p>\n

My Creamy Cauliflower<\/a>\u00a0casserole is a lower calorie version of a cauliflower gratin with a barely-there creamy Manchego cheese sauce and a touch of salty pancetta. Yes, please!<\/p>\n

\"healthy<\/a>

Cauliflower Gratin Casserole<\/p><\/div>\n

Mushroom, Apple and Sage Stuffed Onions<\/a> offer a creative twist on traditional dressing along with flavors of earthy mushrooms, tart Granny Smith apples and aromatic sage to tempt your tastebuds.<\/p>\n

\"healthy<\/a>

Mushroom, Apple, and Sage Stuffed Onions<\/p><\/div>\n

Hope this helps you Stress Less this Thanksgiving and offers inspiration to add more veggies and homemade goodness to your Thanksgiving spread. Tell me, which of these scrumptious dishes caught your eye?<\/p>\n