The True Stars of Thanksgiving
As Thanksgiving approaches, it’s natural to daydream about the delicious meals that lay waiting. You can picture it vividly: walking into the dining room and seeing the table covered in a decorated plastic tablecloth. Your nose twitches as the warm aroma floods your senses, and your mouth begins to water. You see the turkey, you see the ham, and then a few extra dishes catch your eye. The Thanksgiving side dishes. The true stars of the show. I, for one, would argue that these side dishes are even better than turkey or ham. Here are some favorites from myself and others that you’re sure to enjoy.
Green Bean Casserole
Starting on a controversial note, I know. Green bean casserole is my personal favorite Thanksgiving side dish. It’s a classic baked dish consisting of green beans, fried onions, cheese, and cream of mushroom soup. It’s a versatile dish. You can use drained canned green beans, boiled frozen green beans, or simmered fresh green beans. Combine the ingredients and bake until browned. The result? A gorgeously browned casserole. It’s incredibly savory, warming your body as you continue to eat. The green beans’ texture is soft and digestible, but the crispy fried onions provide a pleasant crunch, elevating the overall texture. Overall, I couldn’t recommend this dish enough. Don’t let its appearance fool you; this dish is rich in flavor and incredibly satisfying to consume.
Mac & Cheese
Mac & cheese is a classic cheesy pasta dish enjoyed not just on Thanksgiving but year round. Even so, this dish never gets old.
Junior student Maximiliano Armadillo stated this is his favorite Thanksgiving side dish. “I’m not a big turkey or ham guy…My favorite thanksgiving side dish has to be mac & cheese.”
Mac & cheese, however, is very flexible in how you choose to prepare it. You can use any cheese your heart desires, some opting for sharp cheddar while others opt for mozzarella. You can combine cheeses, using them pre-packed or grate them freshly.
Armadillo stated, “I love mac & cheese, but it has to be baked mac & cheese. Not the watery mac & cheese because…[it’s] kind of gross…It has to be seasoned with no sharp cheddar because sharp cheddar adds a weird aftertaste.”
I have to agree with Armadillo here. The baked layer of mac & cheese is crispy and delicate, providing a crunchy texture that blends with the mouth-watering creamy cheese covering the pasta. Though you can have it year-long, I wouldn’t skip mac & cheese at the dinner table this Thanksgiving.
Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are another Thanksgiving side dish classic. Easy to make, all you have to do is boil and mash potatoes, peeling them at first if you’d like. The product? A delightfully soft and velvety side.
Junior student Jessie Wu stated, “I like all forms of potatoes. The texture of mashed potatoes is…very enjoyable [and they’re filling] to eat.”
I wholeheartedly agree with this outlook. Mashed potatoes are not just easy to eat, but also easy to customize. You can make the mashed potatoes warm and comforting yet savory, seasoning with butters and garlic. You can make them fragrant, using dry herbs like rosemary and oregano. Other variations include adding bacon for a little crunch, or cheese to add some nutty flavor. Twice baked mashed potatoes are also an option, with crispy potato skins and richer, creamier mashed potato filling. Nice and convenient, mashed potatoes are a fan-favorite.
Though only three Thanksgiving side-dishes were discussed, the options truly are endless. There’s cornbread, biscuits, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, savory scones, and so much more. There’s even desserts to consider, like pumpkin pie, upside-down pineapple cake and cheesecake, all being mouth-watering and sweetly delicious. Whether or not you celebrate Thanksgiving, and whether or not it even is Thanksgiving, I’d recommend trying these dishes out. Personally, if I get lucky I’ll enjoy these meals year-long. Which of these three dishes do you prefer, and what’s your ultimate favorite Thanksgiving side?
