Skip to content

Top Navigation

Cooking Light Cooking Light
  • Recipes
  • Cooking 101
  • Eating Smart
  • Healthy Living
  • News

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Email Preferences

Manage Your Subscription

  • All Access Subscribers
  • Magazine Subscribers
  • Cooking Light Diet Subscribers
Login
Logout
SUBSCRIBE
Pin FB

Explore Cooking Light

Cooking Light Cooking Light
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 31-Day Healthy Meal Plan

      Our 31-day calendar of meals and tips shows you how to cook more and love it with fun, family-friendly meals that come together quickly and deliciously. Read More
    • Dinner Tonight: Quick and Healthy Menus in 45 Minutes (or Less)

      Hundreds of delicious recipes, paired with simple sides, that can be on your table in 45 minutes or less. Read More
    • Our Favorite Healthy Air Fryer Recipes

      Who ever said that chicken wings, doughnuts, and pizza couldn't be healthy? Read More
  • Recipes

    Recipes

    See All Recipes
    • Breakfast & Brunch
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Drinks
    • Recipe Makeovers
    • Quick & Healthy
    • Diabetic
    • Gluten-Free
    • Vegetarian
    • Cooking Light Live
  • Cooking 101

    Cooking 101

    See All Cooking 101
    • Essential Ingredients
    • Cooking Techniques
    • Meet the Chef
    • Cooking Resources
    • Budget Friendly
    • Smart Choices
  • Eating Smart
  • Healthy Living

    Healthy Living

    See All Healthy Living
    • Weight-Loss
    • Health
    • Fitness
    • Home
    • Travel
    • Nutrition 101
  • News

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Email Preferences

Manage Your Subscription

  • All Access Subscribers
  • Magazine Subscribers
  • Cooking Light Diet Subscribers
Login
Logout
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home
  2. entertaining
  3. 30 Days of Splendid Sides

30 Days of Splendid Sides

November 01, 2013
Skip gallery slides
Pin
Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
Find the perfect accompaniment to turkey or a seasonal side for your weeknight meal.
Start Slideshow

1 of 30

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Green Beans with Caramelized Onions and Walnuts

Credit: Photo: José Picayo
View Recipe: Green Beans with Caramelized Onions and Walnuts

Here’s a crowd-pleasing side that’s easy on the pocketbook: just 67 cents per serving! If money is no object, consider finishing with a flourish of white truffle oil.

1 of 30

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 30

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Rosemary Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Shallots

Credit: Photo: Jonny Valiant
You don't need butter and cream to make wonderfully creamy mashed sweet potatoes. Heart-healthy olive oil adds flavor and silkiness without saturated fat.

View Recipe: Rosemary Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Shallots Recipes  

2 of 30

3 of 30

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Herbed Couscous Pilaf

Credit: Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Herbed Couscous Pilaf

Chopped shallots and fresh thyme and parsley come together with quick-cooking couscous for a versatile, no-fuss side dish.

3 of 30

Advertisement

4 of 30

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Quick Traditional Sweet Potato Casserole

Credit: Photo: Johnny Miller
View Recipe: Quick Traditional Sweet Potato Casserole

This side is ridiculously easy and goes into the oven in only 10 minutes, thanks to sweet canned yams. To boost flavor and add richness, we counter the canned spuds with luscious crème fraiche; chunks of almonds bring big crunch.

4 of 30

5 of 30

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Green Bean Casserole with Madeira Mushrooms

Credit: Photo: Charles Masters
View Recipe: Green Bean Casserole with Madeira Mushrooms

Here's a deliciously updated version of the classic, with fresh green beans and wine-infused mushrooms. We just had to keep the fried onion topping, which is arguably the best part.

5 of 30

6 of 30

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Carrot Soufflé

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
Because this dish contains no beaten egg whites, it is not a true soufflé. The name, Carrot Soufflé, is derived from its light airy texture. Similar in color and flavor to sweet potato casserole, it pairs well with ham or turkey.

View Recipe: Carrot Soufflé

6 of 30

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 30

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Creamy Pumpkin-Red Pepper Soup

Credit: Johnny Autry
The soup can be topped with a variety of things: We love Parmigiano-Reggiano and rosemary, but savory sprinkles like chopped smoked almonds or toasted pecans would be lovely. This tastes even better the next day...or the day after.

View Recipe: Creamy Pumpkin-Red Pepper Soup

7 of 30

8 of 30

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Buttermilk-Parmesan Mashed Potatoes

Credit: Photo: Ellen Silverman
View Recipe: Buttermilk-Parmesan Mashed Potatoes

Be sure to purchase a crumbly wedge of Parmigiano-Reggiano for this super quick potato side dish. The salty flavor will give just the right bite to these melt-in-your-mouth mashed potatoes.

8 of 30

9 of 30

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Spicy Sautéed Broccoli Rabe with Garlic

Credit: Photo: Charles Masters
View Recipe: Spicy Sautéed Broccoli Rabe with Garlic

Bring some bold Italian flavor to your holiday table with this speedy stovetop side. The recipe, which serves six, doubles easily if serving a larger crowd.

9 of 30

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 30

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Roasted Rosemary Fingerling Potatoes

Credit: Photo: Charles Masters
View Recipe: Roasted Rosemary Fingerling Potatoes

These potatoes are perfect for a holiday meal: quick and convenient, but still plenty dressy. They cook in about the same time it takes for a large roast to rest before carving. Bake the potatoes in their jackets so the outsides get nice and browned while the buttery interiors gently cook through.

10 of 30

11 of 30

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Haricots Verts with Warm Bacon Vinaigrette

Credit: Photo: Ellen Silverman
View Recipe: Haricots Verts with Warm Bacon Vinaigrette

Haricots verts are tiny, fresh French green beans. If you can’t find them, substitute regular fresh beans, which you’ll need to cook a few minutes longer. You can also use white wine vinegar instead of Champagne, if necessary.

11 of 30

12 of 30

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Winter Jeweled Fruit Salad

Credit: Photo: Jonny Valiant
In Mexico, copas de frutas (fruit cups) are popular street food. They typically consist of fresh fruit sprinkled with lime juice and chili powder and are the inspiration for this jewel-colored fruit salad.

View Recipe: Winter Jeweled Fruit Salad

12 of 30

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 30

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Sausage and Apple Stuffing

Credit: Photo: José Picayo
View Recipe: Sausage and Apple Stuffing

Sweet Italian sausage, chopped fresh fennel, and apple combine with tangy sourdough for a classic Thanksgiving stuffing.

13 of 30

14 of 30

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Sautéed Broccolini with Tomatoes

Credit: Photo: José Picayo
View Recipe: Sautéed Broccolini with Tomatoes

This speedy, simple stovetop dish saves you oven space and can be prepared at the very last minute and then brought to the holiday table. Roma or plum tomatoes are the best choice this time of year.

14 of 30

15 of 30

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Corn Bread, Chorizo, and Jalapeño Dressing

Credit: Photo: Charles Masters
View Recipe: Corn Bread, Chorizo, and Jalapeño Dressing

On the corn bread side, our version veers away from Dixie toward the Southwest, with chorizo sausage and a little kick from a jalapeño pepper.

15 of 30

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 30

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Swiss Chard with Crème Fraîche

Credit: Photo: Charles Masters
View Recipe: Swiss Chard with Crème Fraîche

If your audience favors a creamier approach, serve Swiss chard enriched with crème fraîche—a dish that's ready in about 15 minutes.

16 of 30

17 of 30

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Sherried Green Beans and Mushrooms

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
Add color and crunch to your meal. Associate Food Editor Julianna Grimes created this recipe: "Everybody expects to see green beans at the holiday table, but I wanted to add some unexpected flourishes."

View Recipe: Sherried Green Beans and Mushrooms

17 of 30

18 of 30

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Winter Citrus, Escarole, and Endive Salad

Credit: Photo: José Picayo
View Recipe: Winter Citrus, Escarole, and Endive Salad

This bright, fresh salad of winter greens and sweet-tangy citrus is studded with red pomegranate arils: It’s a dramatic, holiday-worthy plate and a welcome course for vegetarians.

18 of 30

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 30

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Browned-Butter Rolls

Credit: Photo: Johnny Miller
View Recipe: Browned-Butter Rolls

Use store-bought refrigerated bread dough to make pretty ­knotted rolls that you can gussy up with your favorite toppings.

19 of 30

20 of 30

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Romano-Topped Brussels Sprouts

Credit: Photo: José Picayo
View Recipe: Romano-Topped Brussels Sprouts

Simple roasted Brussels sprouts get a big flavor boost from one simple addition: salty pecorino Romano cheese, which punctuates the traditional fall veggie dish with meaty umami notes. You can also use subtler Asiago or Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, if you prefer. Quarter the larger sprouts so they are about the same size as halved smaller ones, and spread them in a single layer in two different roasting pans so they brown nicely and evenly.

20 of 30

21 of 30

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Fennel, Sausage, and Caramelized Apple Stuffing

Credit: Photo: Charles Masters
View Recipe: Fennel, Sausage, and Caramelized Apple Stuffing

Go traditional with a twist: Sourdough bread, sausage, and apple is a classic combo, but our bread stuffing also has licorice notes from fresh fennel.

21 of 30

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 30

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Creamy, Light Macaroni and Cheese

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Creamy, Light Macaroni and Cheese

Instead of the traditional buttery, heavy sauce present in most mac and cheese recipes, we turned to an unlikely hero for a boost: butternut squash. Combined with nonfat milk and Greek yogurt, the squash adds a rich, nutty flavor, sneaks in some vegetable, and brilliantly mimics the color and creaminess of cheddar sauce. Over fifty 5-star reviews agree: butternut squash is a delicious addition.

22 of 30

23 of 30

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Twice-Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Chipotle

Credit: Photo: Charles Masters
View Recipe: Twice-Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Chipotle

Twice-baked sweet potatoes get mixed with a spicy-smoky chipotle butter that balances the sugar. Look for similar-sized sweet potatoes so they'll cook at an even rate. To make ahead, stuff the potato halves, cover, and refrigerate up to one day. Set out at room temperature as the oven preheats to take the chill off.

23 of 30

24 of 30

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Make-Ahead Layered Salad

Credit: Photo: Johnny Miller
View Recipe: Make-Ahead Layered Salad

Pre-chopped veggies and pre-cooked bacon and eggs help you pull this charmingly retro dish together in a flash. Typical layer dips and salads are loaded with cheese, sour cream, and refried beans, making the saturated fat and calorie numbers quite high. However, this salad is packed with protein and nutrient-dense veggies that deliver just as much flavor as your favorite bean dip. You can assemble the salad, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 1 day. Eat it straight out of the bowl, or scoop it out with chips or lettuce cups.

24 of 30

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 30

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Browned Butter Bourbon Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Credit: Photo: José Picayo
View Recipe: Browned Butter Bourbon Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes laced with bourbon, butter, and cream—what could be better?

25 of 30

26 of 30

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Speedy Apple-Beet Salad

Credit: Photo: Johnny Miller
View Recipe: Speedy Apple-Beet Salad

Hooray for the food processor, which makes this crisp, refreshing salad a snap to make. Honeycrisp apples have peel that ranges in color from bright red to golden--pick the redder ones, as they tend to be sweeter. Don't make this dish too far ahead, as it might discolor; aim for no more than 30 minutes before you plan to serve it.

26 of 30

27 of 30

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Classic Potato Latkes

Credit: Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Classic Potato Latkes

Celebrating the miracle of oil that burned for 8 nights often means a menu of heavily fried foods—not exactly a healthy Hanukkah. Instead, a hot pan and a little olive oil produce golden, crispy pancakes that aren’t greasy.

27 of 30

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

28 of 30

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Corn Bread Stuffing Muffins

Credit: Photo: Johnny Miller
View Recipe: Corn Bread Stuffing Muffins

Here is a great shortcut to this favorite Thanksgiving side dish. It just may convince you to make stuffing more than once a year.

28 of 30

29 of 30

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Fried Cauliflower with Tahini and Pomegranate Seeds

Credit: Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Fried Cauliflower with Tahini and Pomegranate Seeds

Cauliflower is roasted with olive oil until deep golden (it’s a tradition to eat foods cooked in oil on Hanukkah), then served with tahini and pomegranate seeds—familiar foods in Jewish cuisine.

29 of 30

30 of 30

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Winter Salad with Roasted Beets and Citrus Reduction Dressing

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Winter Salad with Roasted Beets and Citrus Reduction Dressing

This ultimate starter salad celebrates the produce of the winter season and makes a knockout-gorgeous addition to your table. Use fresh orange juice, multicolored beets, and creamy goat cheese for this exquisite appetizer.

30 of 30

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 30 Green Beans with Caramelized Onions and Walnuts
    2 of 30 Rosemary Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Shallots
    3 of 30 Herbed Couscous Pilaf
    4 of 30 Quick Traditional Sweet Potato Casserole
    5 of 30 Green Bean Casserole with Madeira Mushrooms
    6 of 30 Carrot Soufflé
    7 of 30 Creamy Pumpkin-Red Pepper Soup
    8 of 30 Buttermilk-Parmesan Mashed Potatoes
    9 of 30 Spicy Sautéed Broccoli Rabe with Garlic
    10 of 30 Roasted Rosemary Fingerling Potatoes
    11 of 30 Haricots Verts with Warm Bacon Vinaigrette
    12 of 30 Winter Jeweled Fruit Salad
    13 of 30 Sausage and Apple Stuffing
    14 of 30 Sautéed Broccolini with Tomatoes
    15 of 30 Corn Bread, Chorizo, and Jalapeño Dressing
    16 of 30 Swiss Chard with Crème Fraîche
    17 of 30 Sherried Green Beans and Mushrooms
    18 of 30 Winter Citrus, Escarole, and Endive Salad
    19 of 30 Browned-Butter Rolls
    20 of 30 Romano-Topped Brussels Sprouts
    21 of 30 Fennel, Sausage, and Caramelized Apple Stuffing
    22 of 30 Creamy, Light Macaroni and Cheese
    23 of 30 Twice-Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Chipotle
    24 of 30 Make-Ahead Layered Salad
    25 of 30 Browned Butter Bourbon Mashed Sweet Potatoes
    26 of 30 Speedy Apple-Beet Salad
    27 of 30 Classic Potato Latkes
    28 of 30 Corn Bread Stuffing Muffins
    29 of 30 Fried Cauliflower with Tahini and Pomegranate Seeds
    30 of 30 Winter Salad with Roasted Beets and Citrus Reduction Dressing

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Cooking Light

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • Customer Service this link opens in a new tab
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    MeredithCooking Light is part of the Allrecipes Food Group. © Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Cooking Light may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Cooking Light. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.cookinglight.com

    View image

    30 Days of Splendid Sides
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.