“I’m only here for the sides,” well, same

Hello and welcome to Thanksgiving Special Week! If you’ve found your way over by some miracle but are not yet subscribed, here, let me help you with that:

It’s time to talk about sides. Assuming the foods we come to expect next to our turkey are going to be there (let’s call these… “old sides”– mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberries, all of which I’ve talked about a lot before), there’s a delightful freedom each year in deciding what your “new sides” could be – especially should you know there’s little to no flexibility in the rest of the menu. The opportunity to use crushed red pepper flakes or more lemon than your relatives think is necessary. The chance to try that silly shaped squash to see if it tastes good or should be left as decoration. The moment to say to yourself, “maybe I should try to like a salad this year” (you should). These are what “new sides” are for. 

Anyway, here are your sides, by category, with some nice options for everyone. As far as how much to make, most of the time “serves 6–8” will still serve in the 10–12 range if you have many sides (which you should). There will be plenty of food. If you’re planning on having minimal sides, say, a potato, stuffing, cranberries and one “new” side, double the recipe.   

By chance, nearly everything is Vegetarian and Gluten-Free, but V = vegetarian, GF = gluten-free. If you’re a dairy-free person, you can modify dairy recipes with your dairy-free substitute of choice.

OLD SIDES

POTATOES

Sour Cream and Chive Mashed Potatoes (V, GF) Designed to be a coarse mash with lumps but with smooth parts abound, these are tangy, full of chives and three types of dairy. Inspired by the inside of a twice baked potato or a sour cream and onion chip. 

Crushed Potato Gratin (V, GF) Small boiled potatoes, covered in cream and herbs and baked, for those who don’t care about mashed but DO care about creamy potatoes.

Creamy Buttermilk Potatoes (V, GF) Classic creamy-yet-tangy mashed potato with lots of butter, can be as smooth or lumpy as you like, simple or complex– a gold standard for the classic.

STUFFING (Can be V with vegetable broth)

Buttered Stuffing with Celery and