Delicious Thanksgiving Sides

Is Thanksgiving about the turkey or is it really about the sides that go along with it?  After our early celebration that happened last Friday, I’m pretty sure it’s all about the SIDES!  To help with the meal, Whitney made Mac and Cheese (I’m sure she’ll share it with you!)and  Alli made Sweet potatoes – both were scrumptious!  We try to please all the men at our gatherings, so there are lots of potatoes and starches (carbs!).  I made mashed potatoes, of course, but when I tried to decide what other vegetables to make, I didn’t want to throw in something weird…you know, like brussel sprouts or roasted cabbage.  But I did want to change it up just a little.

I made Green Beans and Corn.  Sound boring?  Hardly!  The Green Beans are Almond Green Beans and the corn was Creamed corn, but not the variety you pour from a can.

I adapted a recipe I’d found online.  Here’s how I made mine…

Green Beans with Almonds

1/4 Cup sliced almonds
2 Tbl Butter
2 Tbl Olive Oil
2 Cloves Garlic, chopped
2 cans Green Giant Green Beans (these were so fresh-like!), drained
1 Tbl. Lemon Juice

Heat butter and olive oil and butter until butter is melted over medium heat.  Add almonds and cook until lightly browned.  Remove from pan.  Add garlic and cook just until it begins to brown – less than a minute!  Add green beans and lemon juice.  Lower heat and cook until they are the texture you like.  In the south, we cook them until they’re very soft!  You may need to add a little liquid – chicken broth, water or a little more butter.  Remove from the pan and place in a bowl.  Top with browned almonds.

You could leave the lemon juice out, if you choose, but I thought it added a brightness to the normal flavor of the beans!  Yum!!!!

This next recipe is amazing!  Creamed corn – made with heavy cream and a little Parmesan Cheese!  What’s not to love?

Creamed Corn

2 -10 oz. bags frozen corn, thawed
1 Cup heavy cream
1 cup milk
1/4 Cup flour
Salt and pepper
1/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese, Grated

Add corn and cream to large skillet.  Combine milk and flour. Add to skillet and stir over medium heat until it thickens.  Season with salt and pepper.  Add Parmesan cheese.  Stir and serve!

My favorite (SUPER SIMPLE) cranberry relish:
1 Can Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce
1 Can Mandarin Oranges
1/2 Cup chopped Walnuts

Pour cranberry sauce in oblong dish, breaking up the sauce.  Top with drained oranges and then the walnuts.

I hope these side dish recipes will give you a simple, yet delicious alternative to your Thanksgiving meal! 

What sides dishes does your family insist on when you celebrate?