5 Beautiful Fun and Simple Side Dishes For Thanksgiving Entertaining

So, you’re planning your Thanksgiving Feast and your stuck. You know you need a turkey, have to have mashed potatoes, got your favorite wine selected and your signature pumpkin pie, but you’re thinking, what in the world am I going to serve for side dishes. You want something different, not the same old thing, and you want fresh, colorful, delicious AND simple to prepare with so much else going on Thanksgiving Day. We’ve got you covered with these wonderful Fun & Simple side dishes to compliment your beautiful Thanksgiving celebration. This Roasted Acorn Squash with figs, proscuitto and parmigiano is a great place to start. Sweet and savory, perfect with all of your Thanksgiving dinner staples. Served at room temperature, this dish can be prepared completely in advance without any last minute prep or rushing around to get it on the table!

Being a vegetable person in general, I always want at least one green salad to compliment every festive holiday celebration, plus it’s great for digestion, especially when you know you are going to overeat anyway! This delicious Fig Balsamic Salad is one of my favorite salads anytime fresh figs are in season and isn’t it just wonderful that fig season happens fall during Thanksgiving! Figs are very rich in minerals like potassium and magnesium a super great source of antioxidants and high in fiber and deliciously sweet. The sweetness of the figs, peppery arugula, salty bite of the parmigiana and tartness of the fig balsamic dressing make this salad a match made in fig heaven!

I don’t know about you, but for me, it wouldn’t be a holiday dinner without Brussels Sprouts. So versatile, they can be prepared in so many different ways! I could do an entire blog, cookbook almost, just with variations of Brussels Sprouts recipes. They can also be prepared as a sweet or savory dish, or a combination. Add a little crispy chopped pancetta to any variation to add another whole layer of rich flavor. This year, I am going sweet, Roasted Brussels Sprouts in a sweet maple, olive oil, pomegranate and citrus syrup topped with crunchy fresh pomegranate seeds. Pomegranate is the super antioxidant and anti-inflammatory and with Brussels Sprouts’ high levels of fiber, minerals and vitamins and ability to help control blood sugar levels, you have one super healthy and delicious side dish. Should totally cancel out the salty crisp pancetta, that would certainly add a rich savory component right on top of this dish…right?!

Being a pasta girl, I always have to have a side of pasta or risotto on my holiday table. This year it will be my warm and soothing Porcini Mushroom Risotto with white truffle essence. I use the oven method for preparing the risotto and therefore it can be prepared mostly in advance, perfect for a holiday meal. Then it just takes a few minutes to finish while the rest of the dishes are being prepped for the table. Super Fun & Simple and incredibly delicious!

This dish is a great combination of a green salad and a squash dish, making it the perfect two-in-one side. I did this one with butternut squash, but I’ve also used acorn squash and sweet potatoes, all three are absolutely delicious and the combination of the green salad, crunchy toasted pecans, pomegranate seeds and creamy chevre goat cheese crumbles just scream holiday! Another beautiful and super healthy dish for any fall or winter festive celebration. You will see this Butternut Squash Salad again next month paired with my Pecan Salmon for a delicious Holiday Menu alternative which will feature lots of amazing pecan centric dishes...stay tuned for this one, you are going to love the recipes!

Stay tuned for a list of my favorite holiday desserts, just in case you need a few more Fun & Simple ideas this holiday season. And don’t forget to watch for the special edition Holiday Pecan Recipes coming out next month. When it comes to Fun & Simply Delicious and Elegant holiday entertaining, we’ve got you covered! If you don’t have your copy of Fun & Simple Gourmet yet, there’s still time to get it in time for your holiday entertaining…AND, it makes a super great holiday gift for the Foodie on your list! Filled with gorgeous photos and yummy Fun & Simple recipes for delicious enjoyment for every occasion all the year through!

Wishing you a very Happy and Grateful Thanksgiving. I’m feeling super blessed this year and hope that you are too! From our little island to wherever you are celebrating this year…HAPPY THANKSGIVING!