Side
dishes made with lightly cooked fresh vegetables can add rich flavor,
festive color and a dose of delicious nutrition to your holiday dinner
table. Try a few of these side dish recipes:
Mashed Potatoes & Parsnips
Ingredients:
- 4 medium/large baking potatoes
- 3 medium parsnips
- 5-7 garlic cloves, peeled
- 4 cups (32 oz) Chicken broth
- 4 Tbsp butter or margarine
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Wash and peel the potatoes and parsnips. Cut them into 2-inch chunks
and place them and the garlic cloves in a 5 qt. stockpot; add chicken
broth until it covers the potatoes. Set pan over high heat and bring to a
boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 12-15 minutes, until a fork
slides easily through the potatoes. Drain potatoes, reserving ¾ cup of
the cooking liquid. Mash the potato-parsnip mixture with a potato masher
until smooth and lump-free. Stir in butter or margarine. Add the
reserved liquid ¼ cup at a time, until potatoes have a creamy, whipped
texture. Serves 4-6.
Green Beans with Corn & Bacon
- 2 lbs green beans
- 1 ear sweet corn, kernels cut off cob
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ¼ cup onion, diced
- 3 strips bacon
- 2 Tbsp butter
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions: Slice bacon into small (1/2 inch) pieces and fry in saucepan until crispy. Remove from pan and drain on paper towel. Set aside.
Leave
1-2 Tablespoons of bacon grease in the pan, add garlic, onion and corn
kernels. Saute about 5 minutes over medium high heat.
Wash green beans and remove ends. Place
beans in microwave-safe dish, cover and cook on HIGH for 3-4 minutes
(until bright green and crisp tender). Toss with butter and place in
serving dish. Spoon the corn mixture over the green beans and sprinkle
with bacon bits. Serve.
Mixed Mushroom Casserole
- 2 Tbsp of olive oil
- 1 pound mushrooms (different varieties)
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning or Herbs de Provence
- Juice of ½ lemon
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (panko crumbs preferred)
- 1 Tbsp butter
Directions: Clean and slice mushrooms. In
large skillet heat oil over medium-high heat, add mushrooms, onion,
chicken broth, seasoning and lemon juice. Bring to a boil and reduce
liquid by about half. Season with salt and pepper. Turn
mixture into an oven-proof casserole dish and top with breadcrumbs and
dot with butter. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes. If needed, broil
for 1-2 minutes to brown bread crumbs. Serve.
Spinach and Sweet Potato Risotto
- Risotto (see recipe below)
- 1 medium sweet potato, diced
- 2 cups of fresh spinach, washed and chopped
- 3 Tbsp. olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions: Prepare
risotto using recipe below. In a separate pan, sauté the diced sweet
potato in the olive oil until soft and nicely browned (about 10 minutes
over medium-high heat), add the chopped spinach. Toss gently and let the
spinach wilt in the pan. Salt and pepper to taste. Mix sweet
potato-spinach mixture with risotto. Serve.
Risotto:
- 1 ½ cups white arborio rice
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 5 cups hot chicken broth
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Directions: Heat
olive oil in a heavy non-stick 2-quart pot at medium heat. Add onion
and sauté for about 4-5 minutes. Add rice and stir until grains are
coated with oil. Add wine and stir constantly on medium
heat until wine is absorbed. Add 1 cup hot stock or water, stirring
until liquid is absorbed. Continue cooking for about 20 minutes and
adding the remaining liquid 1 cup at a time. This rice will create its
own creamy sauce. Remove from heat, stir in cheese.
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Including
a salad on your Holiday dinner menu offers guests a pleasant balance to
some of the more traditionally heavy side dishes. Ensure your salad
pairs nicely with the rest of the feast by including traditional holiday
ingredients such as dried fruits, nuts, apples, and beets.
Baby's
First Holiday - OH WHAT FUN!! Sharing the fabulous flavors of the
Holidays with your new baby is an experience you'll cherish forever.
Even though your baby may not be eating all types of table food yet,
there are plenty of foods that can make a festive and delicious Holiday
dinner. Socializing is part of the fun too, so reserve a seat (high
chair) at or near the dining room table for baby to join in the
celebration. 
