Fall is the perfect time to dish out comfort food, and Thanksgiving is the perfect place for these foods. Many may argue that the perfect side dish is the potato. It’s also a perfect side for Thanksgiving.
As you prepare for Thanksgiving you might already be thinking about your menu. To help make preparing for the day easier, you might need a few ideas of sides your family will love. Here are a few recipes – featuring WIC-approved foods – we think you will like.
What’s better than hot, comforting cheesy potatoes? This dish is so good it can be a dinner on its own.
2 cups of grated cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese)
3 cups of whole milk
1/4 cup of unsalted butter
1/4 cup of all-purpose flour
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 teaspoon of salt (adjust to taste)
1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1-2 minutes. Stir in the flour to create a roux. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes until the roux is light golden brown. Whisk in the milk to the roux, ensuring there are no lumps. Continue to cook and whisk until the mixture thickens, which should take about 5-7 minutes. Season the sauce with salt, black pepper. Layer half of the sliced potatoes in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour half of the cheese sauce evenly over the first layer of potatoes. Repeat with another layer. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. After 45 minutes, remove the foil and bake until the top is golden brown, and the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
This next recipe is classic, and many like to serve for Thanksgiving. It’s also perfect for fall.
MASHED POTATOES
4 large russet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
1/2 cup milk
Salt and pepper to taste
Peel the potatoes and cut them into evenly-sized pieces. Place the potato chunks in a large pot and cover them with cold water. Add a pinch of salt to the water. Bring the water to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and let the potatoes simmer for about 15-20 minutes or until they are fork-tender. You should be able to easily pierce the potatoes with a fork without them falling apart. Drain the cooked potatoes in a colander. Return the drained potatoes to the pot and place it back on the stove over low heat. Add the butter and milk to the potatoes. Start by adding half of the milk and butter and then adjust to your desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mash the potatoes using a potato masher or a hand mixer. Mash until the potatoes are smooth and creamy. Be careful not to overmix.
THE PERFECT OVEN FRIED POTATOES
4-5 medium-sized russet potatoes, scrubbed and cut into wedges
2-3 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon paprika (optional)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, toss the potato with olive oil, salt, pepper, and any optional seasonings like paprika and garlic powder. Ensure the potatoes are evenly coated. Spread the seasoned potato pieces in a single layer on the hot baking sheet. Make sure they are not overcrowded to allow them to crisp up. Roast the potatoes in the preheated oven for about 30-35 minutes, flipping them once or twice during cooking, until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside.
Looking for something the entire family will love to make and eat this Thanksgiving? Try making a turkey veggie platter.
This festive snack is healthy and full of personality. It’s also a great way to get the whole family involved in the kitchen.
The great thing about this recipe is that you can make it with whatever you have on hand or love snacking on.
The fresh vegetables are arranged as the turkey’s feathers. The turkey’s face is made with the cut end of a bell pepper. Make his face with pieces of carrots and you can make eyes out of anything from olive pieces of tomato, capers or pickle pieces. The dip inside the bowl can be anything you love from homemade hummus to ranch or veggie dip.
Arrange your cut vegetables on the top half of the bell pepper. Make it as small or large as you wish. This is the perfect activity for the kiddos.
Here is a recipe for homemade yogurt dip you can fill your bell pepper with:
Ranch Yogurt Dip
1 cup of yogurt
3 tablespoons of mayonnaise
3 teaspoons of ranch seasoning mix
Mix everything into a bowl and combine. Refrigerate overnight.
If hummus is more what you had in mind, check out our recipe here.
Get ready to impress everyone with your cooking skills with this amazing Thai Pasta Salad! It’s bursting with colors and flavors that will make your taste buds explode. Not only is it super easy to make, but it’s also a great way to use up your WIC-foods in a delicious and nutritious way. Don’t wait any longer, give it a try tonight and surprise your family with a mouthwatering meal!
THAI PASTA SALAD
1 box of whole wheat pasta
1 cup diced red cabbage
1 cup diced cucumber
½ cup shredded carrots
⅓ cup diced green onion
Sauce:
½ cup peanut butter
1 tbsp honey
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp soy sauce
½ cup water
Cook the noodles according to the package instructions, drain and set aside to cool. While the pasta is cooking and cooling, chop your veggies and make the sauce. Combine the sauce ingredients in a bowl and whisk together until smooth. Add all of the pasta, veggies, and sauce together in a large bowl and toss together. This recipe makes about 6 servings.
Tired parents, listen up! Get ready to wake up and feel energized with this awesome coffee smoothie. Made with WIC ingredients + coffee, it’s the perfect way to recharge. Plus, it’s a refreshing treat you can enjoy any time of day. Just a heads up though, if you’re expecting or breastfeeding, remember to take it easy on the caffeine.
COFFEE SMOOTHIE
1 banana
⅓ cup peanut butter
1 cup of coffee, cooled to room temperature (you can use caffeinated or decaffeinated)
