The turkey is the star of the show, but what about the rest of the side dishes? Stuffing can range from old-time sage bread stuffing to cornbread or rice, but how much do you need for that bird? You may like your gravy with or without giblets. Mashed potatoes can be simple or loaded with goodies like garlic, butter, sour cream, chives or all of the above. Check out these recipes and helpful information on all the traditional Thanksgiving side dishes.
1. Stuffing or Dressing
© 2009 Peggy Trowbridge Filippone, licensed to About.com, Inc.
Whether your family calls it stuffing or dressing, most likely the first thing that comes to mind is Thanksgiving. Expand your horizons and think beyond simply bread as a stuffing. Rice, barley, fruit, nuts, bulgur, couscous, vegetables, and seafood make excellent candidates as a stuffing base. Get helpful cooking information and recipes for a wide variety of stuffings and dressisngs.
2. How to Make Perfect Gravy
© 2008 Peggy Trowbridge Filippone, licensed to About.com, Inc.
With a few tricks, you can turn out the best gravy ever. Here you will find tips and hints for making gravy and fixing it when things go wrong, along with gravy recipes.
3. Mashed Potato Recipes and Tips
© 2008 Peggy Trowbridge Filippone, licensed to About.com, Inc.
What type of potatoes should you use for mashed potatoes? How do you avoid gummy mashed potatoes? Should the potatoes be peeled? Get the answers to these questions along with cooking tips and many mashed potato recipes.
4. Sweet Potato and Yam Recipes and Cooking Tips
© 2006 Peggy Trowbridge Filippone, licensed to About.com, Inc.
Yam or sweet potato, what in the world is it? Many people use these terms interchangeably both in conversation and in cooking, but they are really two different vegetables. Learn all about sweet potatoes and yams, get cooking tips, then try one of the many recipes.
5. Cranberry Recipes and Cooking Tips
© 2006 Peggy Trowbridge Filippone, licensed to About.com, Inc.
Cranberry sauce is a must-have side dish for the Thanksgiving turkey in most families. Learn all about cranberries and grab some cooking tips before trying one of the many cranberry recipes.
6. Green Bean Casserole Recipe
© 2009 Peggy Trowbridge Filippone, licensed to About.com, Inc.
Baby boomers fondly remember the simple classic green bean casserole as a Thanksgiving favorite. The traditional dish is considered almost decadent these days with cream of mushroom soup and crispy fried onions on top. This version is updated a bit to add fresh mushrooms. It also uses frozen green beans which contain less salt and retain more color.
7. Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake Recipe
© 2006 Peggy Trowbridge Filippone, licensed to About.com, Inc.
Pumpkin pie is a traditional dessert for Thanksgiving dinner. How about trying something a little bit more decadent, but just as easy to make? Rich cheesecake has the spiced flavor of pumpkin pie swirled throughout, and it could not be easier to make. Use fresh mashed pumpkin or canned pumpkin. If you do not want to bother with a springform pan, simply use pre-made graham cracker crusts to get two cheesecake pies instead of one. Highly rated by taste-testers.
8. Turkey Recipes, Ham Recipes, and Cooking Tips
© 2006 Peggy Trowbridge Filippone, licensed to About.com
Are you panicking about making your first Thanksgiving feast? Calm down, take a deep breath, and find out all you need to know about how to cook classic Thanksgiving favorite dishes. Get your recipes lined up, make your shopping list, and plan ahead. Be prepared to impress your friends and loved ones with the perfect Thanksgiving meal.
