Green beans with caramelized shallots from Epicurious.

I would like to do something atypical, but DH likes traditional - BORING! Anyway, makes my life easier for sure. Green beans, mashies, stuffing and cranberry sauce.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Be honest. What do you think about broccoli casserole or green bean casserole?
I LOVE them but are they considered a bit trashy?
I think they're just plain delicious - but would foodie types be offended?

Trashy and delicious!

Anonymous wrote:These recipes are very carb heavy. How about a nice salad with vinaigrette to balance?

Which recipes are you speaking of?

Instead of green bean casserole (which I love, but my family hates), I'm making a cold green bean salad with feta cheese and tomatoes. So good!

These recipes are very carb heavy. How about a nice salad with vinaigrette to balance?

I'm doing a few new sides this year:

Cauliflower gratin
Sweet potato purée with bourbon or brandy
Roasted Brussels sprouts with breadcrumbs, lemon and Parmesan

An arugula salad with roasted beets, a few pistachios and a tiny bit of blue cheese to start.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Be honest. What do you think about broccoli casserole or green bean casserole?
I LOVE them but are they considered a bit trashy?
I think they're just plain delicious - but would foodie types be offended?

Sorry, but gooey and overly heavy and creamy with the other foods. No, not a "foodie" dish. More like old fashioned.

Anonymous wrote:Squash Casserole

Ingredients
4 cups steamed, sliced squash
1/2 medium onion, chopped
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup whole milk
1 cup sharp Cheddar cheese, grated
3/4 cup Ritz or Town House cracker crumbs
salt and pepper to taste

Directions
Cool squash and mash, leaving some larger chunks. Saute onion in some butter 'til tender. Loosely mix (don't beat) with all other ingredients. Sprinkle some cracker crumbs and grated cheese on top for garnish. Bake in greased 9 x 13 casserole at 350 degrees for approximately 40 - 45 minutes ('til lightly browned).

*Should add that I drain squash well before mixing with other ingredients.

Squash Casserole

Ingredients
4 cups steamed, sliced squash
1/2 medium onion, chopped
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup whole milk
1 cup sharp Cheddar cheese, grated
3/4 cup Ritz or Town House cracker crumbs
salt and pepper to taste

Directions
Cool squash and mash, leaving some larger chunks. Saute onion in some butter 'til tender. Loosely mix (don't beat) with all other ingredients. Sprinkle some cracker crumbs and grated cheese on top for garnish. Bake in greased 9 x 13 casserole at 350 degrees for approximately 40 - 45 minutes ('til lightly browned).

And if you have vegetarians, you could skip the bacon and add seitan bits, or something.

OP here. Be honest. What do you think about broccoli casserole or green bean casserole?
I LOVE them but are they considered a bit trashy?
I think they're just plain delicious - but would foodie types be offended?

I think green bean casserole gets a pass because it's so traditional and just basically good. It's kind of like PBR -- you can get all hipster and retro about it, or you can just admit that it's refreshing and you like it.

I love cold broccoli salad--the kind from the deli section, with a slaw-like dressing, bacon bits, and raisins. (And I think maybe some slivered red onions?) If it doesn't already have sunflower seeds, I add them for a little extra crunch.
I've never made this myself, but DW makes it sometimes (I don't know her recipe), or you can find it at most grocery store delis.

It's nice to have at least one side dish that's cold, green, and goes crunch. Breaks up the beige.

My dad makes the best creamed leeks!

I also have sage stuffing, marshmallow topped sweet potatoes, butternut squash and cranberries, garlic greens, mashed potatoes.

broccoli slaw w/ slivered almonds & cranberries.