1. Brussels Sprouts: Garlic Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts
We’ve agreed that Brussels sprouts are delectable when
cooked properly. Here, this side dish roasts the sprouts with parmesan cheese
for crispy, toasty, cheesy perfection.
2. Cranberries: Cranberry Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip
Tart cranberries and spicy jalapeño peppers balance
creamy, sweetened cream cheese for a delightful cracker spread. The basic recipe
calls for dried cranberries, but has instructions to add fresh berries — just
add more sugar to offset the extra tartness.
3. Mandarin Oranges: Sweet & Spicy Mandarin Orange Chicken
Mandarin oranges are extra juicy, so it’s easy to squeeze them
into the orange juice required for this recipe. A little Mandarin orange zest
adds the perfect pop of this citrus’s unique flavor to this sweet chicken
stir-fry.
4. Broccoli: Roasted Broccoli Steaks with Tomato Butter and Tapenade
The presentation of this recipe is high-end restaurant
fancy, but it’s simply oven-roasted broccoli, red onion and tomato, where
the latter two get whizzed into a rich, buttery sauce for the plate. It’s topped with
a jarred olive tapenade for a decadent side dish.
5. Beets: Whipped Feta With Roasted Beets and Pistachios
Think of this creamy, dreamy dish as a salad. Beets are a
superfood, full of fiber and nutrients, plus they are velvety and tender when
roasted. Top with pistachios for a little extra crunch.
6. Persimmons: Maple Persimmon Tartin Cake
Now is the time to buy persimmons, a truly underrated fruit.
Not only do they look gorgeous in cross-section atop this cake, but they have a
delicious jammy flavor that gets even sweeter when paired with maple syrup.
7. Leeks: Creamed Leeks
Creamed leeks are an excellent side dish to a roasted
chicken — think of it like creamed spinach. It also pairs well with shrimp, salmon
or just on some crusty toasted bread.
8. Turnips: Turnip Au Gratin
Turnips are a great low-carb replacement for potatoes on
your dinner table. Here, they are prepared with cream and three cheeses, then
baked until the cheese is browned and melted — a perfect holiday side dish.
9. Pomegranates: Lentil Pomegranate Salad (Palouse Caviar)
Juicy pomegranate arils can be interesting in a dessert, but
there’s something about their crunch that works well in a salad, too. You can
eat this hearty lentil and beet salad alone, use it as a side or a first
course or scoop it up with corn chips.
10. Sweet Potatoes: Sweet Potato Latkes
This is a fun and healthier twist on the traditional fried
potato Hanukkah treat. They are sweet and savory, like sweet potato fries. Serve
with applesauce or sour cream.