Holiday Sides
With the holidays in full swing, I wanted to share a few of my favorite side dishes that highlight the flavors we all know and love this time of year. For our savory sides, I’m making a creamy batch of Mac and Cheese and a homemade version of the classic Green Bean Casserole. On the sweeter side, I’m making my Southern Sweet Potato Casserole, which could really pass as dessert with its topping of cornflakes mixed with pecans and marshmallows.
For actual dessert, I love an opportunity to make something that’s easy to grab from the island as people linger around the kitchen after the meal is finished. So I’m making a twist on pecan pie with a batch of flaky, buttery Pecan Bars.
And last but not least, Mulled Cider. I can never decide what I love most about this fruity, spicy blend—the fact that it can simmer on the range all day long, warming the house with scents of cinnamon and clove, or how delicious it is to sip alongside our favorite dishes of the season—whether it’s November or the middle of July.
classic baked mac and cheese blended with three cheeses: cheddar, gruyere, and cream cheese
creamy, baked green bean mixture topped with homemade, crispy fried onions
a mashed sweet potato base topped with brown sugar, pecans, and marshmallows and baked until golden brown
flaky and buttery crust with a gooey center and a pecan mixture on top
a blend of apple cider, cloves, cinnamon, star anise, cranberries, and orange slices that steeps and simmers for hours for added flavor