Food Tag: Sides

5 Easy Sides to Take Your Thanksgiving to the Next Level

When it comes to Thanksgiving, the turkey is the star, but side dishes are what complete the meal. Sides don’t have to be fancy or complicated. In fact, some of the most delicious originate from the simplest of recipes. We’ve listed some of our favorites below:

1) Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta

brussels-sprouts
via Just a Taste

Who said vegetables have to be boring? This delectable side comes from Kelly at Just a Taste and combines crispy pancetta, Brussels sprouts and a homemade balsamic vinegar reduction. The savoriness of the pancetta is balanced out by the sweetness of the reduction, creating a winning combination.

2) Cornbread and Sausage Stuffing

cornbread-stuffing
via Savory Simple

This recipe, courtesy of Savory Simple, calls for two ingredients that that make every dish better: sweet Italian sausage and cornbread. If you’re looking for a spicier kick, feel free to use hot Italian sausage instead. This stuffing can even be whipped up in advance and reheated just before serving. And if you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, it tastes just as good the next day.

3) Mashed Potatoes with Bacon and Caramelized Onions

mashed-potatoes
via Cookin’ Canuck

Mashed potatoes on their own can be pretty flavorless. But, not Cookin’ Canuck’s version. The caramelized onions are cooked in fat rendered from the bacon and added to the spuds at the end, along with earthy, fried sage. The result is velvety mashed potatoes that are anything but ordinary.

4) Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce

cranberry-sauce
via Gimme Some Oven

Gimme Some Oven’s cranberry sauce is easy to make and mouth-watering, so you can stay away from the canned stuff. It’s prepared in a slow cooker so you can set it and forget it. With a few ingredients like fresh cranberries, orange juice and sugar, you’ll have a delicious accompaniment to your turkey that will taste like you spent hours over the stove.

5) Turkey Gravy

gravy
via Life Tastes Good

Gravy is a Thanksgiving necessity, but getting the taste and consistency just right can be tricky. Life Tastes Good’s recipe is simple and is made while the turkey is resting. It uses the turkey giblets and pan drippings, both of which provide loads of flavor.

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5 Surprising Foods That Are Amazing on the Grill

As butchers, we love a good burger, steak, or sausage. But once
you’ve nailed these grilling staples, we encourage you to get experimental.

Grills bring intense, smoky flavors to everything they cook. You’d be surprised by how many dishes you can make on them. It’s summer. Wouldn’t you rather cook outside?

1) Watermelon

Cilantro Lime Grilled Watermelon
Via The Stay At Home Chef

Grilling watermelon brings out surprising, versatile flavors that can be used in both savory side dishes and desserts. This recipe for cilantro-lime grilled watermelon by The Stay At Home Chef is simple, innovative, and pretty enough to post on your Facebook page.

2) Meatloaf

Grilled Meatloaf
Via The Meatwave

People think of meatloaf as a winter food, but this grilled recipe by The Meatwave begs to differ. You do need a wooden grilling plank to make it, but the rich, smoky flavors will be well worth the investment.

3) Avocado

Grilled-Avocados-with-Herbs
Via Chimera Obsura

When it comes to avocados, you know you’re always in to have a good time. This grilled avocado and lemon combo from Chimera Obsura puts an interesting twist on this superfood favorite. Top with herbs, nuts, and tomatoes and you are ready to feast.

4) Bacon

bonappetit_the-ba-summer-grilling-manual-grilled-bacon
Via Bon Appetit

Bacon is delicious in any context, and the grill is no exception. Just be sure to thread your slabs onto skewers so they don’t fall into the fire. Bon Appetit’s video on grilling bacon is a great tutorial for first timers. Give their ginger-scallion topping a try, too.

5) Caesar Salad

Grilled-Caesar-landscape
Via A Whole New Twist

Gently charred romaine develops complex, earthy flavors you won’t find in a raw salad. Check out A Whole New Twist’s grilled caesar salad. The recipe is great on its own — but for a little protein, throw some chicken or salmon on the grill, too. We’re butchers. We had to say it.

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5 Patriotic Dishes For Your 4th of July Barbecue

With the 4th of July just around the corner, we’ve compiled a few savory dishes that put a little red, white, and blue on your plate.

1) Patriotic Chicken Kabobs

via bigbearswife.com

This recipe by Angie from Big Bear’s Wife makes for a fast, delicious, and simple main course. Blue potatoes, cherry tomatoes, and chunks of tender chicken. Put them on a skewer and cook. Angie sticks them in the oven, but they’d be great on the grill, too. Just be sure to partially cook your potatoes before grilling.

2) Blueberry Caprese Salad

via Aloveandoliveoil.com

We love this merican twist on a summer dinner classic by Love & Olive Oil. Blueberries, fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil. It takes just a few minutes to prepare and adds great color to your table.

3) Red, White, and Bleu Sliders

via laurenslatest.com

There aren’t too many naturally­ occurring blue foods in the world, and even fewer that you’d want to put on a burger. If your guests are willing to get a little creative with the definition, these bleu cheese sliders by Lauren’s Latest are fantastic.

4) Bacon Flag Pizza

via tablespoon.com

Here’s a pizza by Tablespoon that would make Betsy Ross jealous. The recipe instructs you to bake it in the oven, but for a slightly smokier flavor, try throwing it on the grill.

5) Star­-Spangled Potato Salad

via bonappetit.com

A mix of red­-skinned, white, and blue potatoes gives this barbecue staple a patriotic update. Bon Appetit’s recipe is quick and easy. Make it a few hours ahead of your party. The flavors need a few hours to sit, and it’s one less dish to worry about while you’re grilling.

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