Recipe Vegetable Side Dish Vegetable Side Dishes Recipes

It's that time of year again; the time of year when we gather around the table with friends and family to celebrate the holiday season. And what is a celebration without delicious food? Christmas dinner is an opportunity to indulge in tried and true traditional dishes, but it's also a chance to try something new. Adding a vegetable side dish to your menu not only balances out the heavier dishes, but it can also bring some color and freshness to the table. Here are some vegetable side dish ideas for Christmas dinner.

Christmas Dinner Vegetable Side Dish Ideas

First on the list is a fantastic and colorful dish that is sure to steal the show - roasted brussels sprouts and butternut squash with cranberries and pecans. This dish is vibrant, full of texture, and packed with flavor. To make this dish, preheat your oven to 400°F. Cut the butternut squash and brussels sprouts into bite-sized pieces and arrange them on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast in the oven for 20-30 minutes until the vegetables are tender and slightly browned. Toss with dried cranberries and chopped pecans before serving.

Next up is a classic dish that everyone will love - green beans almondine. This dish is simple, elegant, and perfect for any holiday dinner. To make the dish, blanch the green beans in boiling salted water for two to three minutes, then transfer them to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. In a saucepan, melt butter and sauté sliced almonds until they are golden brown. Add lemon zest, salt, and pepper to taste. Toss the green beans in the sauce. Garnish with additional sliced almonds and lemon wedges before serving.

For something a little different, try a roasted beet salad with goat cheese and arugula. This salad is packed with flavor and nutrients. To make the salad, roast the beets by wrapping them in foil and baking them at 400°F for 45-60 minutes, until tender. When cool enough to handle, peel off the skin and slice into rounds or wedges. Arrange the beets on a bed of arugula and crumble goat cheese over the top. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Vegetable Side Dishes Recipes

Another great vegetable side dish for Christmas dinner is a creamy gratin made with potatoes and leeks. This dish is decadent, comforting, and a perfect accompaniment to any holiday meal. To make the gratin, slice potatoes and leeks and arrange them in a buttered baking dish. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg. Pour heavy cream over the top, making sure the vegetables are well coated. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F for 45 minutes to an hour, until the top is golden brown and the gratin is bubbly.

For a dish that is both sweet and savory, consider roasted carrots with honey and thyme. This dish is simple to make and tastes delicious. To make the dish, preheat your oven to 400°F. Peel and slice carrots into thin sticks and place them on a baking sheet. Drizzle honey over the top and add fresh thyme, salt, and pepper. Roast for 20-25 minutes, until the carrots are tender and caramelized. Serve hot.

Ingredients and Tools

To make these vegetable side dishes, you will need:

• Brussels sprouts
• Butternut squash
• Dried cranberries
• Pecans
• Green beans
• Sliced almonds
• Lemon zest
• Salt
• Pepper
• Beets
• Goat cheese
• Arugula
• Olive oil
• Balsamic vinegar
• Potatoes
• Leeks
• Nutmeg
• Heavy cream
• Carrots
• Honey
• Thyme

You will also need:

• Baking sheets
• Saucepan
• Baking dish
• Foil

How to Make

To make roasted brussels sprouts and butternut squash with cranberries and pecans:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F.
2. Cut the butternut squash and brussels sprouts into bite-sized pieces and arrange them on a baking sheet.
3. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
4. Roast in the oven for 20-30 minutes until the vegetables are tender and slightly browned.
5. Toss with dried cranberries and chopped pecans before serving.

To make green beans almondine:

1. Blanch the green beans in boiling, salted water for two to three minutes, then transfer them to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking.
2. Melt butter in a saucepan and sauté sliced almonds until they are golden brown.
3. Add lemon zest, salt, and pepper to taste.
4. Toss the green beans in the sauce.
5. Garnish with additional sliced almonds and lemon wedges before serving.

To make roasted beet salad with goat cheese and arugula:

1. Roast the beets by wrapping them in foil and baking them at 400°F for 45-60 minutes, until tender.
2. Peel off the skin and slice into rounds or wedges.
3. Arrange the beets on a bed of arugula and crumble goat cheese over the top.
4. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
5. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

To make potato and leek gratin:

1. Slice potatoes and leeks and arrange them in a buttered baking dish.
2. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg.
3. Pour heavy cream over the top, making sure the vegetables are well coated.
4. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F for 45 minutes to an hour, until the top is golden brown and the gratin is bubbly.

To make roasted carrots with honey and thyme:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F.
2. Peel and slice carrots into thin sticks and place them on a baking sheet.
3. Drizzle honey over the top and add fresh thyme, salt, and pepper.
4. Roast for 20-25 minutes, until the carrots are tender and caramelized.
5. Serve hot.

Tips

Here are a few tips to make sure your vegetable side dishes turn out perfectly:

• Don't overcook the vegetables. They should be tender but not mushy.
• Use high-quality ingredients for the best flavor.
• Adjust seasoning to taste.
• Experiment with different herbs and spices to find your favorite flavor combinations.

Note

Vegetable side dishes are a great way to add some color and freshness to your Christmas dinner menu. Try one of these recipes or come up with your own. The possibilities are endless!