Food Tag: Turkey

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 Tasty Recipes That Bring the Tailgate to Your Kitchen

The fall season brings so many opportunities to try amazing foods, and one of the places we love digging into dishes most are at tailgate get-togethers. Tailgating is known for its finger-licking, belly-warming, picnic-style foods that leave everyone smiling and asking for more. And, since it’s hard to get to a tailgate party every night, we’ve found five recipes that bring those irresistible foods from the game to your kitchen.

1) BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches

pulled-pork-barbeque-sliders
via Bites of Bri

The hardest part about this recipe isn’t making the pulled pork. It’s waiting for it to finish cooking so you can dig in. This slow cooker pulled pork recipe lets you set, forget, and go about your day. By the time dinner comes around, you’ll have tender pulled pork with explosive flavor that’s ready to be served up however you like. This is a great one to turn on early in the morning for those late-afternoon games.

2) Easy Tailgate Party Buffalo Wings

anchor-bar-buffalo-wings
via Anchor Bar

One of the first foods that comes to mind when talking about tailgate favorites is chicken wings. It’s easy to see why, since they’re easy to make and can be paired with almost any kind of sauce. This recipe comes from Anchor Bar in Buffalo, NY, home of the original buffalo wings, so we know this is the way they’re meant to be made. Of course, feel free to swap out the recipe’s sauce for one of your favorites so you can be sure they’re something you’ll love.

3) All-American Sausage and Peppers

sausage-and-pepper-sliders
via Taste of Home

All-American, all flavor, no hassle. Taste of Home has put together a simple recipe showing how to whip up some fantastic sausage and pepper sliders in less than an hour. With brown sugar, vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce, these bold sliders will be gone in a flash. The good news is that they’re so easy to make, you won’t mind whipping up a new batch.

4) Turkey Chili

turkey-chili
via Country Living

Chili has always been a tailgate favorite with its bold mix of ingredients and warm, hearty goodness. There’s no better time of year than fall to try mixing up this classic dish with turkey instead of traditional beef. Country Living has created a recipe that’s as delicious as it is simple to make. With beans, spices, peppers, and our favorite Thanksgiving bird, this turkey chili will be a sensation no matter where you bring it.

5) Prize Winning Baby Back Ribs

Baby Back Ribs
via All Recipes

Barbecue baby back ribs are one of the ultimate finger-licking foods you can get at the tailgate, and this recipe lets you have all the flavor without all the hassle. Just prep the meat, place it on the grill, and find a way to distract yourself while the ribs cook to perfection. In about an hour, you’ll have some tender, juicy barbecue ribs that beg to be devoured. Just remember to keep the napkins within arm’s reach.

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5 Delicious Dinner Ideas to Get You In the Autumn Spirit

Summer is over, and that means that the days will be getting shorter, the breezes will be getting cooler, and the holidays are almost upon us. While we’re sad to see summer go, we’re excited to slip into some warmer clothes and make dinners that are perfect for fall. Here are five savory recipes you can put together to help get you into the spirit of the season.

1) Pumpkin Seed Crusted Rack of Lamb

via Chef Franco Lania

One part of the pumpkin that’s frequently overlooked are its seeds, but not everyone has forgotten them. Chef Franco Lania has created a stunning recipe that uses the crunchy texture and hint of spice from pumpkin seeds as a delectable, memorable crust on a rack of lamb. Together, this flavor combination is one that is sure to become a favorite for fall and beyond.

2) Autumn Sausage Casserole

via Taste of Home

This full-flavored dish from Taste of Home combines apples, raisins, sausage and spices for a warm, rich, fall-inspired dinner that everyone is sure to love. From prep time to cook, it’s done in less than an hour, meaning you can quickly get back to carving pumpkins or raking leaves after dinner.

3) Cider-Braised Chicken, Brussels Sprouts, and Apples

via Midwest Living

It’s hard to imagine fall without apples. From ciders to pies, apples can be used in a variety of ways that help to create a meal perfect for fall. This recipe from Midwest Living takes that apple flavor and brings it center stage in a mouthwatering chicken and brussels sprout dish. Just don’t forget the mashed potatoes on the side.

4) Vegetarian Pumpkin Chili

via The Glowing Fridge

There’s no question the pumpkin reigns supreme this time of year, so this list wouldn’t be complete without a pumpkin recipe – but would you have guessed it would be for pumpkin chili? This recipe from Shannon at The Glowing Fridge mixes that pumpkin flavor we love with the feel-good warmth of a hearty chili that’s perfect on a cool fall day.

5) Turkey, Brie, and Apple Panini

via She Wears Many Hats

Of course, what fall recipe list would be complete without mentioning turkey? Try this easy panini recipe from She Wears Many Hats that makes apples, turkey, and brie collide in an explosion of flavor. It’s also a nice way to satisfy your turkey cravings without having to wait for the Thanksgiving leftovers.

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Visit us in North Andover. We’re always here to answer your questions.