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Southern Side: Creamed Collard Greens

YumSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:50:11 -0800

I'm a little sick of the traditional Thanksgiving meal. That's why this year I plan on serving slightly different versions of old favorites - like a turkey roulade instead of a whole roasted turkey, for instance.

Rather than the usual green bean casserole, I'm reaching for a neo-Southern riff on the creamed spinach standby, and plan on impressing guests with creamed collard greens. Unlike creamed spinach, this vegetable side isn't swimming in heavy cream; the cream adds subtle body, while smoky bacon rounds out the collards' bitter character.

But the pièce de résistance is really the crispy, cheesy crumb topping. Be sure to make a generous amount, because the more, the better. Add a new tradition to your meal when you keep reading

Name That Dish!

partysugar — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 07:00:08 -0800

The colorful side dish pictured below appears on many tables at Thanksgiving. Do you know what it's called?

The Basics: Mashed Potatoes

partysugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:00:54 -0800

My mother can hardly be described as a home cook, but there are a few dishes she makes and excels at. Basic mashed potatoes are one of her specialties. When it comes to mashed potatoes, she prefers them as pure and simple as possible.

"I don't understand why people stir in garlic, herbs, and other things that make mashed potatoes taste like something other than potatoes. This recipe is for when you want mashed potatoes that taste like potatoes," she explained when teaching me the technique.

Her method is easy, but she employs a hand mixer to give the potatoes a light, pillowy, and incredibly smooth texture. Half and half is her liquid of choice, although heavy cream or milk make good substitutes. To look at the recipe, read more.

Mom's Mashed Potatoes
From Ellen Sweeney

Ingredients

4 medium-sized russet potatoes, peeled and quartered
salt
1/2 stick butter
1/2 cup half and half
freshly ground pepper, to taste

Directions

Fill a large pot with cold water. Add the potatoes and season the water with salt.
Bring to a boil over high heat. Cook, boiling at medium high heat, until potatoes are fork tender, 15-20 minutes.
Drain potatoes in a colander and return to the hot pot.
Add the butter. Using a hand mixer, beat the butter and potatoes to combine about 30 seconds.
Add the half and half and beat until potatoes are whipped and fluffy, 1-2 minutes. Serve immediately.

Serves 4-6.

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Burning Question: What's the Difference Between Stuffing and Dressing?

YumSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:00:04 -0800

It's arguably the standout dish at Thanksgiving, yet at the same time shrouded in ambiguity. What's the proper way to refer to it: stuffing or dressing? Is there even a distinction?

Some believe that if it's cooked inside a roast, it should be dubbed stuffing; if it's prepared outside the bird, then the proper name for it is dressing. But go south of the Mason-Dixon line, and cooks will call it dressing, regardless of whether its preparation, citing the term "stuffing" as an unpleasant-sounding word. Likewise, northern states and New Englanders generally refer to the dish as stuffing across the board.

So, much like the soda-pop debate, whether you term that beloved side of seasoned starch and vegetables stuffing or dressing is really a matter of where you're eating. But we can all call it one thing for sure: delicious.

Got a burning question? Join the Burning Question group in the YumSugar Community! It's your place to post the most pressing questions about the culinary world.

Name That Dish!

partysugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:15:14 -0800

With its creamy sauce and crispy topping, the vegetable side dish pictured below appears on many a Thanksgiving table. Do you know what it's called?

Don't Forget the Sides: Caramelized Onion Cranberry Sauce

YumSugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:40:14 -0800

When I was younger, cranberry sauce was one of those Thanksgiving sides that wasn't given much thought; often, we ate something that was pre-made or canned. However, I have since learned that fresh cranberry sauce is light-years better than the canned variety. It's exceptionally easy to make and can be prepared up to three days prior to the feast.

The combination of sweet caramelized onions and tart cranberries is perfect to pair with turkey. While I might not be cooking my bird for a couple more weeks, I can't wait to use this sauce to top chicken or a meatloaf sandwich. If you want to give up the can and make your own scrumptious cranberry sauce, keep reading.

YumSugar's Must-Try Mac and Cheese Recipes

YumSugar — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:50:04 -0800

I've kicked off November (the biggest food month of the year!) by resolving to give thanks for something every day. And in a few weeks, when it's holiday time, there's one thing that I'll be grateful for: our recent recipe series dedicated solely to macaroni and cheese. We sifted through numerous recipes to come up with 10 timeless dishes that, regardless of what kind of Thanksgiving you're planning, will be a smash hit. Ready for the macstravaganza? Then read on.

View Slideshow ›

Creamless Creamed Spinach Is a Healthy Thanksgiving Side

YumSugar — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:00:12 -0800

Michelle Obama has only been a resident at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue for 10 months, yet she's already managed to set an example for Americans to eat more fresh food, from planting a garden to starting a White House farmers market.

Earlier this year, I spotted a recipe for one of the first lady's favorite White House dishes, a creamed spinach without the cream. I bookmarked it, thinking it would make a satisfying yet light steak side, or a healthful addition to a large Thanksgiving feast.

The recipe calls for blanched, puréed spinach, which adds an airy, creamy taste without the calories. To see the technique, keep reading.

Would You Rather Eat Mashed or Sweet Potatoes?

partysugar — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:30:30 -0700

It's Nov. 1, and I'm happy to say our Thanksgiving coverage starts now! Turkey day is my favorite holiday, and you can rest assured that over the next 26 days we will be providing the best Thanksgiving recipes, tips, how tos, and ideas to make your meal a memorable one. To kick things off I want to know what starchy side - mashed or sweet potatoes - you prefer on Thanksgiving.

Source: Flickr Users bionicteaching and David Boyle

What's Your Favorite Steakhouse Side?

YumSugar — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:50:37 -0700

Few things can top a quality steak dinner as one of my all-time favorite meals - although I must admit that half the reason I look forward to going to a steakhouse is for the classic sides. The one side I'll always order is creamed spinach, especially the version from the House of Prime Rib. What's your favorite side? Specify in the comments below!