Being Grateful for Side Dishes

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THE SERVANT’S APRON KNOWS THAT A PERFECTLY ROASTED TURKEY, HAM

OR OTHER MEAT IS MORE THAN JUST A HOLIDAY CENTER PIECE ; STILL , THESE TRADITIONAL OFFERINGS CANNOT STAND ALONE.

COMPLETE THE BOUNTY OF YOUR TABLE WITH SUMPTUOUS SIDES. THE BEST TIP OF ALL IS THAT SOME DELICIOUS OFFERINGS YOU CAN MAKE AHEAD AND WON’T COMPETE FOR ROOM IN YOUR HOLIDAY OVEN. IT IS HERE YOUR STOVETOP BECOMES YOUR SAVING GRACE.

APPLE CRANBERRY PECAN DRESSING

. . THIS DISH BECOMES YOUR OWN WITH JUST A FEW ADDITIONS.

3 C. APPLE JUICE, ¼ C. MARGARINE, 2 SMALL CHOPPED APPLES, 1 C. DRIED CRANBERRIES, 2 PKGS. 6 OZ. STOVE TOP STUFFING, AND ½ C. TOASTED AND CHOPPED PECANS

HEAT TO BOILING IN A MEDIUM SAUCEPAN THE JUICE AND MARGARINE.

STIR-IN THE APPLES, CRANBERRIES, AND STUFFING MIX ; COVER AND REMOVE FROM HEAT. LET SIT FOR 5 MINUTES THEN ADD THE PECANS.

SERVES 16 ½ PORTIONS

MAKE – AHEAD MASHED POTATOES

. . CAN BE MADE AND RESERVED UP TO TWO DAYS BEFORE SERVING

PLACE 10 MEDIUM POTATOES – PEELED OR NOT IN A LARGE POT ; COVER WITH

WATER AND BRING TO A BOIL. REDUCE HEAT TO MEDIUM HIGH AND COOK 10 TO

15 MINUTES UNTIL FORK – TENDER ; DRAIN. ADD ½ TUB OF SPREADABLE CREAM CHEESE, ½ C. SOUR CREAM, AND 2 TEASPOONS OF ONION POWDER ; BEAT POTATOES WITH A MIXER UNTIL CREAMY. SPOON POTATOES INTO LIGHTLY – GREASED 2 QT. CASSEROLE DISH ; COVER AND REFRIGERATE UNTIL NEEDED.. WHEN READY TO SERVE POKE SEVERAL HOLES IN THE PLASTIC WRAP AND MICROWAVE ON HIGH FOR 8 MINUTES. TOP WITH 1/3 C. WARMED PACKAGED BACON PIECES AND ONE CHOPPED GREEN ONION.

SERVES 17 ½ C. SERVINGS

 

MAKE – AHEAD FESTIVE GREEN SALAD

. . SPEND ONLY 10 MINUTES PREP AND AT LEAST 4 HOURS TO CHILL

3 C. GRAPE TOMATOES, 2 11 OZ. CANS OF ARTICHOKE HEARTS, DRAINED,

AND CUT INTO CHUNKS, 2 BAGS – 10 OZ. EACH MIXED PRE-WASHED SALAD GREENS, 2 C. STORE BOUGHT CHEESE CRUMBLES, AND 2/3 C. FAVORITE VINAIGRETTE SALAD DRESSING.

LAYER ALL INGREDIENTS EXCEPT DRESSING IN LISTED ORDER IN A LARGE SERVING BOWL. COVER WITH DAMP PAPER TOWELS, THEN COVER BOWL WITH PLASTIC WRAP. REFRIGERATE SEVERAL HOURS OR OVERNIGHT AND TOSS WITH DRESSING JUST BEFORE SERVING.

MAKES 16 1 C. SERVINGS

 

ROASTED HARVEST VEGETABLES

. . NOTHING COULD BE MORE SIMPLE OR DELICIOUS.

TOSS TOGETHER IN A LARGE BAKING DISH, 1 BAG OF BABY CARROTS, 2 QUARTERED LARGE RED ONIONS, 4 RED AND/OR GOLD POTATOES AND 4 C. OF

TRIMMED BRUSSELLS SPROUTS, OR FRESH GREEN BEANS.

STIR TOGETHER ½ C. CRANBERRY JUICE, ½ C. OLIVE OIL, 2 TEA. SALT , ¼ TEA . PEPPER. POUR OVER VEGETABLES AND TOSS.

ROAST UNCOVERED FOR ONE HOUR AND 10 MINUTES AT 350 . THIS DISH CAN BE SERVED IMMEDIATELY, OR SET ASIDE TO COOL TO ROOM TEMPERATURE. THE DISH CAN BE REHEATED JUST BEFORE THE MEAL 5 TO 6 MINUTES ON HIGH IN THE MICROWAVE.

THE SERVANT’S APRON KNOWS THESE DISHES WILL SAVE TIME, EFFORT AND WILL DELIGHT YOUR FAMILY AND GUESTS YEAR AFTER YEAR.

BLESSED HOLIDAYS AND A GRACE FILLED NEW YEAR