5 Holiday Side Dishes

A holiday meal without sides would be simply a plate of meat, which is why it's important to have the recipes to at least 5 holiday side dishes.  The following recipes for holiday side dishes is a great place to start.  Your holiday meal would be wonderful with these five sides, or you can choose to add more.  Whatever your decision, these holiday side dishes are a great place to start.  They aren't the typical side dishes, so they're sure to pleasantly surprise your guests.

Skillet sweet potatoes

You will need:

• 1 Pound Sweet Potatoes (2 or 3 potatoes)
• 1 Tbsp. Butter or Margarine
• 1/2 Cup Chopped Ham
• 1/4 Cup Finely Chopped Onion
• 1 Tsp. Snipped Fresh Parsley
• 1/8 Tsp. Pepper

1. Peel the sweet potatoes and thinly slice them.
   
2. Melt the butter or margarine in a large skillet.  Add the potatoes, ham, onion, and parsley; sprinkle with the pepper.
3. Continue to cook, uncovered on medium heat for eight to ten minutes or until the potatoes are tender and starting to brown stirring occasionally.
   

Hearty mashed potatoes

You will need:

• 8 Medium Potatoes
• 1 Cup Milk
• 4 Tbsp. Butter
• 2 to 4 Tsp. Bottled Minced Roasted Garlic
• 1/2 Tsp. Salt
• 1/2 Tsp. White Pepper
• 1/4 Tsp. Ground Nutmeg

1. Peel and quarter the potatoes.  Boil in lightly salted water,  covered for about 30 minutes or until tender; drain.
2. Mash the potatoes with a masher or beat with an electric mixer on low.  Add the rest of the ingredients and beat until light and fluffy.

Tangy green beans

You will need:

• 3/4 Pound Fresh Green Beans
• 2 Tbsp. Water
• 2 Tbsp. Butter or Margarine
• 1/3 Cup Chopped Walnuts
• 1/2 Cup Mozzarella Cheese, cut into 1/2 inch cubes

1. In a microwave-safe baking dish or casserole, combine the green beans and water.
   
2. Cover and microwave on high for twelve to fourteen minutes or until just tender, stirring after six minutes.  Drain; cover to keep warm
3. In another baking dish, microwave the walnuts in the butter or margarine on high for one and a half to two and a half minutes or until butter is bubbling and beginning to brown, stirring after one minute.
   
4. Add the walnut mixture to the baking dish with the green beans and toss to combine.
   

Cranberry relish

you will need:

• 1 Pound Fresh Cranberries (4 cups)
• 2 Large Seedless Navel Oranges, unpeeled cut into 1 inch pieces
• 1 Cup Sugar
• 1/2 Cup Cranberry Juice

1. Place the cranberries and organges half at a time, into a large food processor bowl with a steel blade.  Cover and process with several pulses until all fruit is finely chopped.
2. Transfer the fruit to a large bowl and add to it the sugar and cranberry juice; stir to combine.
   
3. Cover and chill at least four hours or overnight.
   

Honey glazed carrots

You will need:

• 1 Pound Carrots, cut into 1/4 inch thick slices
• 2 Tbsp. Water
• 2 Tbsp. Honey
• 1 Tbsp. Butter or Margarine
• 1/8 Tsp. Ground Ginger

1. In a microwave safe baking dish, combine the carrots and water.  Cover and cook in the microwave on high for seven to nine minutes or until the carrots are just tender, stirring once after four minutes; drain.
2. Add the honey, butter or margarine, and the ginger to the dish.  Cover and cook one to two minutes more; stir to combine.