Interesting but easy side dishes for turkey?

[DoryD]

I know it's a little late for turkey, but I'm having a delayed turkey dinner for about 8 adults (and about 5 kids, lol) and I'm looking for side suggestions and maybe something different to do with sweet potatoes.

I tend to be more of an on-the-fly cook than a recipe girl. I like to pull in to my cooking things I've learned from watching cooking shows, or reading magazines, and my results are almost always very positively received. (And who better to experiment with than your close friends, lol.)

For some reason I've been thinking of trying roasted sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced, buttered and salted, with Calvados (French apple brandy) flamed over them...does that sound weird? Maybe some toasted almonds?

Anyway, open to suggestions for sides -- preferably not too-too complicated as I'm cooking alone, and already have my plate pretty full with the turkey itself and a Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake for dessert. (And okay, I'd like to look presentable, not crazy, when the guests arrive. )

Thanks!!

[GhettoRacingKid]

one of my favorite dishes for thanksgiving/turkey is sweet potatoes.

I hate to say it beacuse i like stuff fresh but.

can of yams
butter
dark brown sugar
mini marshmallows

dump yams into dish, throw in some butter, throw in some brown sugar, cover with marshmallows. bake at 350 till marshmallows are toasted.

but a buddy saw this on food network i think its right up your alley.



Whipped Sweet Potatoes and Bananas with Honey Recipe courtesy Tyler Florence
Show: Tyler's Ultimate
Episode: Ultimate Thanksgiving







You can roast the potatoes and bananas ahead of time, then put it all together just before serving. Then heat it up in the oven.


5 medium sweet potatoes, scrubbed
4 bananas, unpeeled
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/4 cup honey
Kosher salt
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
1 1/2 cups pecans, chopped

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Prick the sweet potatoes all over with a fork, put them in a roasting pan and roast for 30 minutes. Toss the bananas into the pan and continue roasting for 10 to 15 minutes, until both the bananas and potatoes are very soft. Remove the pan from the oven but don't turn the oven off.

When the potatoes are cool enough to handle, scoop out the flesh into a large mixing bowl. Peel the bananas and add them to the bowl along with 1 stick of the butter, and the honey. Season with salt and beat vigorously with a wooden spoon until everything's well combined and the mixture is fluffy. Spoon into an oven-proof serving bowl and smooth the top.

In a separate mixing bowl, use your fingers to rub together the remaining stick of butter, the brown sugar, flour, and pecans until the mixture is the consistency of coarse crumbs. Sprinkle the crumb mixture over the sweet potatoes and return to the oven. Cook for about 20 minutes, until the crumbs are golden. Serve hot.

[DoryD]

Thank you for the suggestion...the second one sounds interesting... (My best friend's husband and I have a fierce sweet-potato debate every year -- he's all about the canned yams and marshmellows, and I'm all about fresh roasted with no marshmellows anywhere in sight. Sigh...when I visit them, he also prefers Swiss Miss cocoa packets to the homemade cocoa I make with Ghiradelli ground chocolate and fresh vanilla. LOL)

I'm really looking for things with more of a casual gourmet feel -- that's more my style. I like using fresh whole foods, fresh herbs, things with lots of flavor.

[Risque Cakes]

sweet potato latkes?

[DoryD]

Originally Posted by Risque Cakes

sweet potato latkes?

That sounds interesting...do you have a recipe? Never done latkes before, though I get the general idea of them...

[Risque Cakes]

Here are two recipes:
Sweet Potato Latkes - Recipe :: Green Living at Care2

Sweet Potato Latkes - Allrecipes

I like the one from all recipes as you can see it has more of the "traditional" flavors

[DoryD]

Thanks much! I like the second one, too...

[siduri]

My favorite side for turkey is yams and white potatoes roasted in the drippings with the turkey and stewed belgian endives.
Take the endives, slice lengthwise in halves, and wash.
Heat a good lump of butter (a couple of tbsp) in a heavy frying pan that will hold all the halves in one layer. When melted add the endives, and squeeze a little lemon over it, and salt and pepper to taste.
Cover and cook very slowly (lowest flame) until they're soft through. Turn during the cooking. they get just barely browned.
The slight bitterness of the endives is great with a heavy dinner, because it makes you feel refreshed, and ready to tackle the deserts.

[indianwells]

I slice sweet potatoes into 3/4 inch discs (peel left on) rub with a little olive oil, salt & pepper then roast, turning half way through so each side gets well caramelized. Sorry, but adding marshmallows, brown sugar and such is turning an already sweet product into a sickly, sweet dessert.
And the skin is the best bit!!!!

[jigz369]

I've had great success when I mix 3 or 4 types of potato (red, white, sweet and yams) and pan-fry together. I cut them into uniform batonnets, mix together and cook with some sliced onion and garlic, and lots of butter. Once they start to brown, I finish them in a hot oven. Really simple dish that looks fantastic with all the colour.
Just my opinion though....

[DoryD]

Originally Posted by indianwells

I slice sweet potatoes into 3/4 inch discs (peel left on) rub with a little olive oil, salt & pepper then roast, turning half way through so each side gets well caramelized. Sorry, but adding marshmallows, brown sugar and such is turning an already sweet product into a sickly, sweet dessert.
And the skin is the best bit!!!!

Yes, I have to agree with you on this one. I've done roasted sweet potatoes that I whip with a little butter, cream, some orange zest and Grand Marnier, tho. I also like them roasted almost exactly the way you describe (but with a little butter instead of olive oil)...but I've never eaten them with the skins on -- really?

[Risque Cakes]

OMG baked , skin on with olive oil is the best way to eat them..lol

[indianwells]

Originally Posted by DoryD

Yes, I have to agree with you on this one. I've done roasted sweet potatoes that I whip with a little butter, cream, some orange zest and Grand Marnier, tho. I also like them roasted almost exactly the way you describe (but with a little butter instead of olive oil)...but I've never eaten them with the skins on -- really?

Yes really! And if you can't bring yourself to eat them, keep 'em and crisp up in the oven the next day with a little cheese and bacon!

[teamfat]

Sweet potato roasties, cubed or sliced, with or without skin, are a favorite in our house.

I just went to refill my beverage, and passed a jar of saurkraut sitting on the table. There aren't very many cabbage based dishes associated with turkey. I wonder if some sort of braised red cabbage and cranberry concoction might work ....

mjb.

[beefcheeks]

If you're set on roasting, try to stick with a savory profile and mix with some diced new potatoes. You can even add carrots, and other root vegetables to the mix. Tossed with olive oil or melted butter...add in a nice herb mixture, and you'd have a side that is second to none! Boiled or steamed taro, or jicama are also fine ingredients to add during the last half hour of roasting.

Sometimes the easiest recipes, make the best sides. Your guests will be more intrigued by the outcome of your turkey, than what varietal you used in cooking a side dish. Proper roasting produces the best carmelization of any type of cooking method. No need for added sugar or marshmallows (i love it this way too, btw)...just a simple roasted side dish that's big on flavor, and will keep most of the attention to the bird.

BTW, welcome to the forums Ms. Diaz... sherlock's been busy! (inside joke)