mommymonster Posted January 16, 2016 Share Posted January 16, 2016 I am a long-time vegetarian, but somehow we always end up hosting Thanksgiving and Christmas. DH doesn't cook, and so I get to deal with the turkey. This year, I asked for a turkey roaster for Christmas. I'm hoping that a turkey roaster will let me be a bit more hands-off in terms of preparation (eek!) , and will also cause me to prepare turkey more frequently. In any case, I have a roaster. And a turkey. And friends coming over on Sunday for dinner (they know this is an "experimental" meal). This brings me to my question: can you recommend some simple sides to go with turkey? I know all the crazy Thanksgiving sides, but I'm wondering about casual, tasty sides that don't require a ton of work. Extra points for vegetarian sides that I can eat as well. :001_cool: Thank you! Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasider Posted January 16, 2016 Share Posted January 16, 2016 Roasted sweet potatoes (NOT the casserole kind with marshmallows and sugar! - just baked with a little orange juice, butter and cinnamon) and a big green salad. Maybe some roasted asparagus. To keep it vegan, I like that Earth Balance buttery vegan spread. Someone here recommended it when I had vegan dinner guests and I have been enjoying it on my vegetables since then. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frances Posted January 16, 2016 Share Posted January 16, 2016 I'd second the roasted asparagus and a green salad. For this time of year, I like a green salad with raspberry viniagrette, gorgonzola, walnuts, and pears. Another quick and easy favorite here is homemade applesauce, or you could do a homemade cranberry sauce for something more colorful. And of course some sort of stuffing is a traditional side with turkey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EndOfOrdinary Posted January 16, 2016 Share Posted January 16, 2016 Smushed or mashed potatoes. They are delish and go with most things. Green beans are another one that can be done up a million ways, look classy, and are relatively easy. French or italian bread and a big salad are go to company foods here. There are very few people who dislike them or cannot eat them. Most everyone will tell you if they are gluten free prior to coming. Roasted root veggies are a good one for this time of year and work if you have just a bit of a few things. Cube them up, toss with olive oil, garlic, rosemary, and sage, and pop them under the broiler. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
All4one Posted January 16, 2016 Share Posted January 16, 2016 Wild rice pilaf with golden raisins and roasted nuts. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmandaVT Posted January 16, 2016 Share Posted January 16, 2016 Roast up a bunch of veggies - potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, basically anything that looks good. Cut everything up, pop them on trays w/ olive oil and seasonings and roast them up. With a side salad or some sauteed greens, it'll be a great dinner for you without the turkey. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted January 16, 2016 Share Posted January 16, 2016 Every now and then I'll do a turkey breast when it's nowhere near a holiday. Dd loves turkey and it's just something different. The easiest sides for keeping it simple are stuffing, baked sweet potatoes, and crispy stir-fried green beans. For the stuffing, I sauté some thinly sliced carrots, celery, and onions and do a box of stovetop. You can experiment with any veggies that appeal to you to toss in the stuffing. The green beans get plunged into boiling water for three minutes, then drained and plunged into cold water. Five minutes before dinner I sauté them with a little olive oil, garlic, and salt just until they're hot. Dd and DH don't like soft, southern style green beans so these are kept fairly crisp. The sweet potatoes are just wrapped in foil and baked while the turkey cooks. I put butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon on the table and people can add what they like. Honestly, I find the sides to be satisfying even without the turkey and gravy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommymonster Posted January 16, 2016 Author Share Posted January 16, 2016 I LOVE these suggestions! I was just snooping around in the fridge and was moaning about the ridiculous number of root veggies floating around. I will probably roast them up with some garlic and make a walnut sauce people can dip with... that seems earthy and yummy. I'll ask folks to bring salad, bread and beer. Does anyone have a recommendation for a simple mixed drink to go with this? I have ginger-inused vodka and pear liqueur. Maybe I'll just add some juice and soda? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasider Posted January 16, 2016 Share Posted January 16, 2016 Cucumber ginger fizz - muddled cucumber, pearl vodka, ginger ale. If you have any copper Moscow mule mugs, serve 'em up in those. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommymonster Posted January 16, 2016 Author Share Posted January 16, 2016 Cucumber ginger fizz - muddled cucumber, pearl vodka, ginger ale. If you have any copper Moscow mule mugs, serve 'em up in those. Yes, please! Sounds great. I'm going to have to taste test some tonight. :thumbup1: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmandaVT Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 I LOVE these suggestions! I was just snooping around in the fridge and was moaning about the ridiculous number of root veggies floating around. I will probably roast them up with some garlic and make a walnut sauce people can dip with... that seems earthy and yummy. I'll ask folks to bring salad, bread and beer. Does anyone have a recommendation for a simple mixed drink to go with this? I have ginger-inused vodka and pear liqueur. Maybe I'll just add some juice and soda? Walnut sauce?? That sounds yummy - feel free to share that recipe!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pippen Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 It's a little more work, but this Sweet Potato Gratin is a nice change from the usual sweet potatos and sides: http://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-sweet-po-1-18999 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jyhwkmama Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 Why can't your husband learn to cook the turkey? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommymonster Posted January 17, 2016 Author Share Posted January 17, 2016 Walnut sauce?? That sounds yummy - feel free to share that recipe!! The walnut sauce is both amazing and simple. Yay! Walnut Sauce (from Deborah Madison's Cookbook) -- makes about 1 cup 3/4 c walnuts 1 small garlic clove salt and pepper 2 to 3 T extra virgin olive oil 1/4 c boiling water Grind walnuts, garlic and 1/4 t salt in a food processor. Slowly drizzle in the oil when the food processor is on. Slowly add the water. Sauce thickens as it cools. Taste again and add salt and pepper to balance out the flavors. You can use this with fresh pasta, grilled veggies, and roasted veggies. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie4b Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 The easiest way to cook a turkey: Do NOT wash it. It isn't sanitary. Take out the neck and giblets from inside of it. You don't have to use them. Get some Reynold's oven bags. Put the turkey inside one, following the directions to shake a tablespoon of flour around in it first, then to slit it. Bake. Done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommymonster Posted January 18, 2016 Author Share Posted January 18, 2016 So the dinner was last night, and the turkey turned out GREAT -- at least, that's what everyone said. And at the point the meat eaters were happy, I'm happy. The turkey was super simple. It was 14 lbs, and completely frozen. I liberally seasoned the turkey with seasoning sale and tossed it in the roaster. After about 90 minutes, I pulled out the giblets. After a total of three hours, it was done. And then I served it. It was magical. :coolgleamA: I'm oddly in love with that silly roaster. The easiest way to cook a turkey: Do NOT wash it. It isn't sanitary. Take out the neck and giblets from inside of it. You don't have to use them. Get some Reynold's oven bags. Put the turkey inside one, following the directions to shake a tablespoon of flour around in it first, then to slit it. Bake. Done. Oddly enough, we've never had luck with this method. Our oven is super wonky. Apparently the breast meat was dry and the dark meat was consistently undercooked. I'm a vegetarian, though. I didn't taste it, so I can't be certain. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasider Posted January 22, 2016 Share Posted January 22, 2016 I'm oddly in love with that silly roaster. I love my roaster, too! I can put a turkey or a few chickens in it at once, and often set it on a table in the garage so I don't lose counter space to prepare sides. I've also used it for big batches of jambalaya, and as a warmer for individually wrapped hot dogs and tacos for a crowd. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted January 22, 2016 Share Posted January 22, 2016 Mashed sweet potatoes and roasted chopped brussels sprouts with garlic cloves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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