The Dish on Thanksgiving Side Dishes

FOOD & DRINK / WRITTEN BY CHEF ANTONIO CERULLO

Whether the star of your thanksgiving feast is turkey, ham, veggie loaf or another meat alternative, your thanksgiving plate simply won’t be complete without side dishes. Mashed potatoes, carrots and peas, and Brussels sprouts are all Canadian staples, though every family has their own repertoire of special dishes. Grandma’s green bean casserole, Uncle Bill’s famous candied yams or Moms’ roasted turnip and rutabaga are only a few examples.

This year, perhaps you’d like to update an old favourite or bring something new to the table. Starting from mashed potatoes, here are a few fresh ideas.

It’s easy to dramatically change the flavours in mashed potatoes with just a few additions or substitutions. Try adding roasted garlic or freshly chopped chives to create a more complex flavor. If you’re looking for a lighter dish, try subbing out butter for extra virgin olive oil. Conversely, replace butter with mascarpone cheese to make your potatoes extra rich and creamy. No matter what, don’t forget the salt and pepper!

A root mash can be a simple and effective way to make a truly unique side dish. Prepare and boil potatoes as you normally would, but in addition try adding a combination of roasted yams, sweet potatoes, celeriac and carrots to the mash to create something one-of-a-kind. Make sure to roast the roots so that they are tender to your fork before you combine with your potato and mash. A touch of brandy or rum might be your secret weapon here.

Brussels sprouts are a bit notorious as a side dish that has always needed a little love. Let’s roast them instead of plain old boiling. Olive oil, salt and pepper are where to start, following that the combinations are endless. Diced bacon, pancetta or prosciutto could be the discoveries that makes your older relatives happy, and make those Brussels sprouts disappear. Don’t stop there! Glaze them with balsamic vinegar, teriyaki, or sweet and sour sauce. You could even try kebab-ing them and grilling them on the BBQ.

Squash is in season, and they’re another easy thing to cook. Combine them with the previously mentioned roasted root mash, or enjoy them on their own to add colour and flavor to your plates. Other quick cooking methods are grilling or sautéing.

The multitude of seasonal side dishes is endless. Try to add a new one or a variation to an old standby to your thanksgiving table every year, and you might be surprised to find you’ve started a new family tradition. Happy thanksgiving!