# Thanksgiving side dishes?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-side-dishes/474113
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [November 23, 2008, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-side-dishes/474113 "2008-11-23T17:36:53Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2008, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-side-dishes/474113/1 "2008-11-23T17:36:53Z")
Suggestions please!!
We’re having the essentials: turkey, mashed potatoes (a make-ahead version that originated in a book called “One potato, two potato”), stuffing, probably a sweet potato casserole from the thread I started [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=493544&goto=newpost), cranberry relish, maybe some of the jellied stuff … one guest is probably bringing a carrot dish also… but I want something _green_. But more interesting than just plain microwaved veggies.
So - share your favorites please! Bonus points for something that can be 90% done in advance, with nothing more than sliding a pan in the oven, or popping it into the microwave, at zero-hour.
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### Author:  [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2008, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-side-dishes/474113/2 "2008-11-23T18:43:52Z")
Steam some fresh green beans with a couple of slices of bacon. Yummy.
Steamed asparagus would be nice, and quick to make.
Salad-in-a-bag qualifies as “green,” doesn’t it? 😉
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### Author:  [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2008, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-side-dishes/474113/3 "2008-11-23T19:00:23Z")
I have a recipie for gingered fruit salad which is made the day before. If you can get the various fruit, it’s very good.
How many folks are you having? Broiled tomatoes are good. You could assemble them the night before and broil right before serving.
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### Author:  [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2008, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-side-dishes/474113/4 "2008-11-23T19:12:08Z")
You don’t get any greener than greens. Get yourself a mess of turnip greens, or collards, and boil them up with some lard and hit them with some pepper vinegar just before serving.
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### Author:  [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2008, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-side-dishes/474113/5 "2008-11-23T19:26:53Z")
Another vote for greens. They go even better with Christmas dinner – they’re supposed to be good luck and prosperity for the new year (greens = greenbacks).
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### Author:  [@CaerieD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaerieD)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2008, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-side-dishes/474113/6 "2008-11-23T19:57:35Z")
Garlic seared green beans are absolutely to die for, and a wonderful contrast to a lot of the heavier foods on Thanksgiving.
This year we’re adding [lefse](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lefse) which is some sort of potato…tortilla…thing that my niece’s boyfriend has requested, as it’s a family tradition of his, though I’d never heard of it before. I guess it’s common enough in this region though because of the Scandinavian influence.
Veggies that have been steamed or cooked beforehand and then just need to be heated up in time for dinner, like asparagus or Brussels sprouts, and then topped with butter or a cheese sauce are always popular at our dinners.
Greens are a good idea, particularly if made with lard like **silenus** suggested. I like adding some pork in with them, too.
If you wanted to go the salad route without being boring, a [wilted spinach salad](http://whatscookingamerica.net/Salad/SpinachBalsamic.htm) is good. You can make the salad and dressing ahead of time, then just heat up the dressing right before you’re going to pour it over the spinach. When we do this, we usually toss in some pecans, craisins, and crumbled hard boiled eggs in with the spinach. It combines wonderfully and makes a great compliment to the other Thanksgiving flavors.
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### Author:  [@Savannah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Savannah)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2008, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-side-dishes/474113/7 "2008-11-23T20:29:36Z")
I don’t understand. Where are the Brussels sprouts? Those are green. Turkey is always accompanied by Brussels sprouts. 🙂
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### Author:  [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2008, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-side-dishes/474113/8 "2008-11-23T20:32:37Z")
> [@Savannah](#):
>
> I don’t understand. Where are the Brussels sprouts? Those are green. Turkey is always accompanied by Brussels sprouts. 🙂
[Here they are!](http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=222318)
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### Author:  [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2008, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-side-dishes/474113/9 "2008-11-23T20:39:25Z")
> [@Savannah](#):
>
> I don’t understand. Where are the Brussels sprouts? Those are green.
So are tennis balls. Only tennis balls taste better.
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### Author:  [@spoike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spoike)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2008, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-side-dishes/474113/10 "2008-11-23T21:03:26Z")
This is what we had for the green part of our Thanksgiving Dinner. It’s pretty simple, very fast and really tasty. Most of the ingredients can be measured ahead of time (don’t forget to toast the pecans) and put together at the last minute. It’s from the Simple Suppers cookbook by Moosewood Restaurant.
\*\*
Pecan, Parmesan and Spinach Salad\*\*
bag fresh baby spinach
1 T. olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 c. raisins or currants
1 cup toasted pecans
1/2 c freshly grated Parmesan
salt and pepper
lemon wedges
Clean spinach and dry. Heat oil in large frying pan and cook garlic for a few seconds, until it’s sizzling and fragrant. Add spinach to pan and cook, stirring frequently. (You’ll probably have to add some spinach, wilt it a bit and then add more.) Cook until just wilted but still bright green.
_[Alternatively, place spinach in salad bowl, and pour the hot oil and garlic on top of it. Stir. I prefer doing it this way because none of the spinach gets overcooked, but still wilts.]_
Put spinach in salad bowl, and add raisins, pecans and cheese. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and toss. Give each guest their own lemon wedge to squeeze onto their serving of salad. Enjoy.
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### Author:  [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazle_Weatherfield)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2008, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-side-dishes/474113/11 "2008-11-23T21:05:22Z")
We always have lima beans.
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### Author:  [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2008, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-side-dishes/474113/12 "2008-11-23T22:39:35Z")
We’re having green beans simmered with a ham hock and onions.
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### Author:  [@Campion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Campion)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2008, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-side-dishes/474113/13 "2008-11-24T00:14:24Z")
Roasted broccoli is great; just cut up the broccoli, toss it with some olive oil and salt and pepper, roast it (turning the broccoli once to make sure it doesn’t burn). While it’s cooking, melt some butter, add some garlic, lemon zest and lemon juice, and pour the lemon garlic butter over the broccoli when it’s done. It’s easy and tastes great!
I personally don’t like greens, lima beans, brussels sprouts, or green beans (those are the worst), and even (some) people who claim not to like broccoli like this dish. **spoike** , that salad looks great, too.
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### Author:  [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2008, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-side-dishes/474113/14 "2008-11-24T00:15:03Z")
> [@Drain\_Bead](#):
>
> [Here they are!](http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=222318)
That looks interesting! Last year I did roasted brussels sprouts with a sauce of browned butter - can’t find the recipe anywhere but I remember it basically involved melting the butter and cooking it until all the solids had completely browned. Then adding other things (it foamed up tremendously when I added the onions or whatever it was). Can’t find that recipe though.
Another recipe, that I stumbled across after posting this:
[sugar snap peas with cranberry/cider sauce](http://projects.washingtonpost.com/recipes/2008/11/23/sugar-snap-peas-cranberry-apple-cider-sauce/). Not quite as “make ahead” as I’d like but looks doable - I wonder if the sauce could be made the night before (or even the morning of). I found frozen sugar snaps, in case I can’t find fresh.
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### Author:  [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2008, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-side-dishes/474113/15 "2008-11-24T01:30:49Z")
I often do stuffed mushrooms. Saute some onions, chop up the mushroom caps, add some garlic and fresh spinach. Add a bit of sage (or thyme or rosemary are also good), some fresh ground black pepper, and a bit of sherry at the last minute. When everything is cooked, add some sour cream, some parmesan, and stuff into the mushroom caps - if you want to be fancy, sprinkle a bit more cheese and some paprika over the top. Baking time depends on the size of the mushrooms, maybe 20 minutes at 400?
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### Author:  [@JavaMaven1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JavaMaven1)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2008, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-side-dishes/474113/16 "2008-11-24T01:48:25Z")
I’ve made [this salad](http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Apple-Dried-Cherry-and-Walnut-Salad-with-Maple-Dressing-107064?recipename=Apple,%20Dried%20Cherry,%20and%20Walnut%20Salad%20with%20Maple%20Dressing&saved_to_box=y) for a few Thanksgivings now. The only tweak to the recipe I’ve made is using candied pecans instead of toasted walnuts.
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### Author:  [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2008, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-side-dishes/474113/17 "2008-11-24T01:51:34Z")
> [@silenus](#):
>
> So are tennis balls. Only tennis balls taste better.
But tennis balls won’t help you clear the place out if your guests linger too long 😉 (well, not if you _eat_ them… if you save them and then start flinging them, it might still work!).
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### Author:  [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2008, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-side-dishes/474113/18 "2008-11-24T01:59:59Z")
> [@NinetyWt](#):
>
> I have a recipie for gingered fruit salad which is made the day before. If you can get the various fruit, it’s very good.
>
> How many folks are you having? Broiled tomatoes are good. You could assemble them the night before and broil right before serving.
Gingered fruit salad sounds pretty good! That would make for a very different side dish and a nice treat. Recipe please?
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### Author:  [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2008, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-side-dishes/474113/19 "2008-11-24T02:08:42Z")
Cranberry Jello Salad c. 1941
My mom got this recipe when they had a potluck at school. I don’t know about the amounts…I eyeball it. I’m strictly ballparking, so feel free to alter per your tastes.
2 lg boxes Red jello (cherry was the original but strawberry or raspberry are good as well)
12 oz Fresh cranberries, food processed
Optional: 1/2 c sugar or couple Tb splenda (taste a little to see)
2 lg Granny Smith apples, cored and cubed into bite-sized pieces
1 c pecan pieces
If desired, sweeten the cranberries w/the sugar or splenda. Make the jello. Then add everything, mix well and refrigerate.
Notes: I let the jello set, THEN add other ingredients…it keeps the apples and cranberries “whiter.” But you can add it all and let it set, forget it.
I don’t bother sweetening the cranberries, but then, I like tart things a lot.
I also like cool whip on mine.
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### Author:  [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2008, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-side-dishes/474113/20 "2008-11-24T03:33:35Z")
Here’s a great salad which could also double as a dessert.
I’ve lost the exact recipe but I’m making it anyway and hoping I get the proportions right. Make lime jello using the juice from a can of pears as part of the liquid. Let the jello get partially set and stir in softened cream cheese, canned pears (they’ll moosh up), chopped maraschino cherries, chopped pecans, and whipped cream.
It’s sweet with a bit of tang, and it keeps well.
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