Simple Harvest Sides for the Feast

Posted by Adina Steiman

With all the focus on the turkey, stuffing, and pies, it's sometimes easy to lose track of another Thanksgiving essential: glorious autumn vegetables. I'm talking sweet sugar pumpkins, hearty (and healthy) kale, nutty brussels sprouts, sunny butternut squash, and savory shallots. Even though they've been around in fine fettle for weeks now, the Thanksgiving table is the ideal time for them to shine.  Give them a little TLC, and you will be more than rewarded.

Take pumpkins, for instance. Pick a good, sweet variety, and you can transform it into a deliciously creamy soup to start off your meal. Roast it as a side dish to serve alongside the turkey, scented with two of its favorite companions, sage and shallots. For something a little more fancy, how about a creamy gratin topped with cheesy breadcrumbs? Blogger Clotilde Desoulier from Chocolate and Zucchini has a tempting version scented with vanilla.

Quick Sides

Posted by Caroline Wright

Does it seem like every free moment these days your energy is devoted to Thanksgiving? I've found a few of my favorite simple, seasonal side dishes that come together in little time and energy -- so save it. (We both know you'll be needing it soon.)

Wilted Spinach with Nutmeg
Steamed Broccoli with Lime Dressing
Mashed White Beans

Pear Desserts

Posted by Caroline Wright

If you're like me, you've already celebrated the bounty of apple season by peeling and cooking piles of apples in your favorite recipes. Pears are the second big romance of the season. At Everyday Food, we've come up with loads of decadent and simple ways to celebrate our love of pears.

Caramelized Pears
Poached Pears
Chocolate Pear Tart
Pear Charlotte
Pear Tart

Plus, check out the pears in the Fall Harvest Desserts gallery. What have you done with your pears so far?

Seasonal Sides

Posted by Caroline Wright

I don't know about you, but I am pretty sure that fall is my favorite season to cook. It's the time for an abundance of fresh produce and heating up your kitchen. I've pulled together three of my favorite side dishes that celebrate the flavors of the season.

Sauteed Sweet Potatoes with Spinach
Red Cabbage with Apple
Sweet and Sour Green Beans

Spooky Sweets

Posted by Alison Sickelka

I'm constantly amazed by the number of talented bakers out there. And Halloween provides a great excuse for them to put their talents to use. Check out Our favorites of your creations from our "Creepy Treats" photo upload.

And for even more inspiration, check out these galleries of eerie edibles from the pages of Everyday Food and Martha Stewart Living:

Eerie Edibles
Creepy Treats

15-Minute Sides

Posted by Caroline Wright

The perfect complement to your main course doesn't need to be complicated. Try one of these sides, all ready in 15 minutes or less:

Carrot Raisin Salad
Steamed Broccoli with Lime Dressing
Green Beans with Toasted Pecans
Sauteed Apples with Thyme

To-Go Halloween Cookies

Posted by Caroline Wright

Halloween, as we all know, isn't just a day: It's practically a month-long celebration. Whether it's for the class party or a costume party at a friend's place, you're likely to need more festive treats than just a bag of candy. We've come up with some cookie recipes that you can bring with you to the party:

Lollipop Cookies
Halloween Cookies
Halloween Sugar Cookies

Make-Ahead Sides

Posted by Caroline Wright

It's Slow Cooker Week here at Dinner Tonight, and what's a better way to celebrate hands-off mains in the slow cooker than with hands-off sides? It's our goal to give you dinner options that fit your schedule and, let's face it, we know you're busy. Although your days are certainly hard-working, that doesn't mean you need to work hard in the kitchen. So maximize the time you spend in the kitchen and bring full, fresh meals to your table at the end of the day with these sides.

Try an underappreciated veggie in our Brussels Sprouts Vinaigrette recipe -- you prepare it halfway through and store the elements separately. Or, in our White Bean and Tomato Salad, the extra time to rest actually brings the flavors together. For our Sauteed Green Beans with Mushrooms, it's easy to blanch the green beans in advance.

What are your tricks to fix and forget your sides?

Three-Ingredient Comfort Sides

Posted by Caroline Wright

We all have our favorite comfort foods, but often our belly-warming favorite recipes aren't simple enough for a weeknight. All of us at Everyday Food are looking out for you -- here, I've compiled a few simple, comforting sides with only three ingredients (aside from salt and pepper).

The simplest, coziest recipes often bring together a yummy cooking technique and a stand-alone vegetable. I chose these recipes because each brings an easy, family favorite recipe to the table with a slightly different angle.   

SEE THE RECIPES:
Roasted Mushrooms and Pearl Onions
Olive-Oil Mashed Potatoes
Roasted Broccoli
Sauteed Spinach with Bacon

What do you do to get a cozy dish to your table with little fuss?

Apple Desserts

Posted by Caroline Wright

I have lived in New York for a while now, and it's been a yearly goal to go apple-picking. I haven't made it yet, but I am convinced that this is going to be my year. Now I'm dreaming about what to do with my future bounty. Luckily, we have loads of recipes that celebrate the favored fruit in a variety of ways: rustic, elegant, and lots in between.