4-Side Dishes to try this Thanksgiving

Let’s face it, the turkey may be the ‘star’ of the Thanksgiving meal but what we really love are the delicious side dishes! Do you find yourself putting a little bit of turkey on your plate and then filling it the rest of the way will all the side dishes? There are the classic sides such as, dressing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie; but if you’re getting tired of the same old dishes, it might be time to change things up. And here at Precision Siding and Construction we wanted to take a moment to share four of our favorite side dishes to prepare this Thanksgiving.

Bacon Shrimp Jalapeno Poppers

INGREDIENTS:

36-40 jalapenos

8 oz cream cheese

1/2 tsp garlic powder

12 oz raw medium shrimp, peeled

1 lb. bacon

INSTRUCTIONS:

If you are using whole Jalapenos: cut them lengthwise and remove the seeds.  Mix together the cream cheese and garlic powder and press some cream cheese mixture into each jalapeno. Lay a shrimp down the center of the jalapeno.  Wrap with a half slice of bacon and secure with toothpicks.

If you are leaving them whole and cooking them upright: Cut the stem off the jalapenos and clean the seeds out of the middle.  Chop the shrimp and mix with cream cheese and garlic powder.  Stuff into jalapenos.  Cross 1/4 slices of bacon over the top of the pepper and secure with toothpicks.  Place in rack to cook.

Grill the poppers over medium heat and when the bacon is done, everything is done.  These can also be cooked in the oven. Bake at 350 F for 10 minutes and then turned it up to 400 for 5-10 minutes or until the bacon is done.  Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving.

Cream Corn

INGREDIENTS:

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

5 cups frozen corn, thawed

1/2 cup heavy cream

3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

1–1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar

Pinch cayenne pepper

Pinch ground nutmeg

1 cup whole milk

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

INSTRUCTIONS:

Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.  Add corn, heavy cream, salt, pepper, sugar, cayenne pepper and nutmeg.  Stir to combine. In a small bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together the milk and flour.  Pour into corn mixture and stir to combine. Cook, stirring constantly for 4-5 minutes, or until thickened and corn is cooked. Season with additional salt, pepper, sugar, cayenne pepper and/or nutmeg if desired.

Maple Roasted Carrots

INGREDIENTS:

2 lb. medium carrots, tops trimmed to about ½”, scrubbed

6 Tbsp. unsalted butter, cut into pieces

⅓ cup (packed) light brown sugar

⅓ cup pure maple syrup

¾ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

Kosher salt

Flaky sea salt (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat oven to 400°. Line a rimmed baking sheet with 3 sheets of foil (you’ll need it!). Cut carrots on a diagonal into 3″ pieces (halved or quartered lengthwise if large).

Spread out carrots on foil. Evenly top with butter, brown sugar, syrup, and red pepper flakes. Season with kosher salt and toss to combine.

Bake carrots, tossing every 20 minutes, until tender and browned around the edges, 50–60 minutes. Transfer to a platter (with syrup, if desired). Sprinkle with sea salt (if using)

Apple Pie Dip and Cinnamon Sugar Chips

INGREDIENTS

Apple Pie Salsa:

4 medium Granny Smith apples, diced

2 tsp lemon juice

1 cup light brown sugar

2 Tbsp butter

1 tsp cinnamon

¼ tsp nutmeg

1 Tbsp cornstarch

2 tsp vanilla

½ cup whipped cream

Cinnamon Sugar Chips:

¼ cup sugar

1 Tbsp cinnamon

5 flour tortillas

2 Tbsp butter, melted

DIRECTIONS

Apple Pie Dip:

In large sauté pan, combine apples, lemon juice, brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cook over medium heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in cornstarch. Cook for two minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in vanilla. Remove from heat. Top with whipped cream.

Cinnamon Sugar Chips:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In small bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon. Brush both sides of each tortilla with melted butter. Rub cinnamon-sugar mixture onto both sides of each tortilla. Cut tortilla into wedges. Place on ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 14-16 minutes until golden brown and crisp. Cool on wire rack.

On Thanksgiving Day, we welcome the holiday season surrounded by friends and family with a rich abundance of comforting food. And here at Precision Siding and Construction we wanted to take a moment to share four of our favorite side dishes to try this Thanksgiving. We hope that these delicious options were helpful, and we wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving. And if you’ve been thinking about updating your home before the holidays, then give us a call at 1-888-342-4831 for a “Precision” job you can depend on. Call us today to schedule your free quote.