Help me with Christmas side dish ideas

[daisymommy]

For Christmas dinner we always do a traditional spiral honey-baked ham--Yum!
And I usually make some cheesy potatoes http://www.oreida.com/recipes/cheesy-potato-casserole.
And some crescent rolls.
But I need a good vegetable dish. Anyone have a favorite to share? I also wouldn't mind a new potato dish to try out.

[miki]

I made this brussels sprout dish for Thanksgiving, and while I don't love brussels sprouts, I really loved this dish: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/bacon-braised-brussels-sprouts-recipe/index.html

I actually found them really good even without the last step of adding bread crumbs and cheese and baking. Next time I'm going to omit the bread crumbs and baking and just add cheese at the end.

[daisymommy]

I just *knew* someone would mention brussel sprouts! They offend me ;)

[TamiRuns]

I was hoping someone would start this thread!

We also have a spiral sliced ham on Christmas day and I'm trying to decide on side dishes. This is what I have so far....

A healthier version of my SIL's Pineapple Bread pudding. This goes super with ham....it is a sweet side dish. I can't find the exact recipe on-line but it is similar to this: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Makeover-Pineapple-Casserole
I found the recipe in this month's issue of Taste of Home Healthy Cooking. Hope its accepted as well as the "original" full fat version. We'll see!

The other side dish I make is a tried and true Sweet Potato Casserole from Cooking Light. Here it is: http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=10000000223692 It's delicious! Loved by those who claim to not like sweet potatoes! (DH!)

My mom makes crockpot cheesy potatoes - I don't have that recipe.

We'll have some yummy bread and/or rolls.

Cheese and crackers for an appetizer.

Homemade candy and cookies for dessert.

What else do I need? I was thinking a salad and/or deviled eggs....we'll see.

Interested to see what others are having!!

[etaylor75]

I always make Cheesy Potatoes with Ham too! If I'm feeling ambitious, I'll make a basic potato gratin - but the cheesy potatoes are so easy :)

http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/onion_potato_gratin/

We love this carrot souffle. I just microwave the carrots and use less sugar than the recipe calls for.

http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/cafeteria-carrot-souffle/Detail.aspx

Ina Gartens' Corn Pudding is to die for - I use frozen corn in the winter. I sometimes leave the basil out since the kids make faces at it.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/sagaponack-corn-pudding-recipe/index.html

Erin

[daisymommy]

I decided on Bacon Braised Green Beans:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/anne-burrell/bacon-braised-string-beans-recipe/index.html

[Melaine]

Love this recipe from my Grandma:
Grandma’s Pea Salad

The night before, make marinate:
¼ cup oil
½ cup vinegar
1/3 cup sugar
Place
1 cup sliced water chestnuts in marinate and refrigerate
The next day mix with:
2 cans LeSuer Peas
¾ cup chopped pecans
1 small onion chopped
A few pimentos
½ cup mayo
Salt/pepper
I usually add the peas last, and very gently stir them together to prevent them from mooshing up. Add marinate to achieve desired taste. Gets better with refrigeration. Pretty on a bed of lettuce.


I especially love this with ham. Yum.

[TamiRuns]

I decided on Bacon Braised Green Beans:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/anne-burrell/bacon-braised-string-beans-recipe/index.html

Mmmmm! Yummy! Bacon + anything = delicious! (At least in our family....)

I wish this was something I could make ahead. I don't want to be in the kitchen doing prep and missing out on the fun.....

[DebbieJ]

We love steamed carrots with some butter, brown sugar, and maple syrup. Just enough to taste the sweetness, but not overly sweet.

Steamed green beans with butter and salt are always good too.

What about some sort of corn casserole?

[JenaW]

I am on a PW kick right now and am planning on several of her sides along with some "beef" (prime rib or tenderloin depending on what I can find).

Not sure if any of these "go" with ham, but these are what I have picked out so far.

Amazing mushrooms
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/09/burgundy-mushrooms/

Whiskey glazed carrots
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2008/10/whiskey-glazed-carrots-major-league-yum/

Smashed potatoes
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/05/restaurant-style-smashed-potatoes/

Rosemary rolls
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2009/10/buttered-rosemary-rolls/

I always like asparagus (tho prolly not widely available now) and deviled eggs with ham.

[urquie]

someone posted the following recipe last year. it was really yummy and very pretty - a perfect holiday recipe!



http://saveonfoods.gsnrecipes.com/Recipes/RecipeFull.aspx?RecipeID=57091

Cranberry Sweet Potato Bake

http://images.gsngrocers.com/RecipeImages/images/2009/3/26/cranberrysweet.jpg

Print Recipe (javascript:window.print();)


Ingredients

1.75 kg sweet potatoes or yams 3 ½ lb

2 large onions

500 mL fresh/frozen cranberries* 2 cups

150 mL packed golden sugar 2/3 cup

30 mL melted butter 2 tbsp

grated peel & juice of 1 large orange

3 mL salt ½ tsp

3 mL nutmeg ½ tsp

3 mL ground ginger ½ tsp

3 mL cinnamon ½ tsp



Preparation

* Do not thaw if using frozen cranberries.

Preheat oven to 400° F (200° C).

Pierce potatoes or yams several times with a skewer.

Peel onions and cut in half horizontally.

Place potatoes (or yams) and onion halves on a tray and drizzle onion halves with a few drops of olive oil. Bake about 30 minutes or until nearly cooked.

Remove tray from oven and cool until you can handle them enough to peel potatoes or yams.

Reduce oven heat to 350° F (180° C).

Cut potatoes or yams into cubes and dice onions roughly. Mix together and place in two shallow bakers, about 20 x 30 cm (8" x 12").

Combine remaining ingredients, mix well, and pour over two bakers. Mix well to coat all pieces of vegetable.

Bake, uncovered, about 30-40 minutes or until tender and starting to get stick. Stir each baker once during cooking.

Calories 376, Protein 4 g, Fat 4 g, Carbohydrate 81 g, Fibre 4.2 g

Cranberries are like Mother Nature's cleanser. They have many benefits including being good for your bladder and kidneys.

[daisymommy]

Update: Oh.my.gosh Those Bacon Braised Green Beans were to die for!!! I could have eaten the entire pot myself! Do yourselves a favor and save this recipe for your next holiday! The only thing I will change next time is to leave out the red-pepper flakes. It made everyone cough, and the beans really didn't need it. Otherwise, they were awesome!
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/anne-burrell/bacon-braised-string-beans-recipe/index.html

[MichelleRC]

Update: Oh.my.gosh Those Bacon Braised Green Beans were to die for!!! I could have eaten the entire pot myself! Do yourselves a favor and save this recipe for your next holiday! The only thing I will change next time is to leave out the red-pepper flakes. It made everyone cough, and the beans really didn't need it. Otherwise, they were awesome!
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/anne-burrell/bacon-braised-string-beans-recipe/index.html

That looks so good. Do you think I can make it without the mushrooms? Mushrooms give me the heebie jeebies.