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There's something to be said for holiday traditions, but did you ever wonder why we serve dishes nobody really even likes because, well, that's just what you're supposed to eat on Thanksgiving? Case in point: Green bean casserole. I know the classic side has its diehard fans, but I don't think I've ever known anyone personally who would touch the condensed soup/canned fried onions concoction any other day of the year. There are plenty of other vegetable-based side dishes that go perfectly well with turkey and stuffing and are just as simple to make.
I'll definitely be serving one of theseĀ 5 green bean casserole alternativesĀ this Thanksgiving. The only problem is deciding which recipe to try first!
- Sauteed Sweet Potatoes & Spinach. Here's what I love about this one, which comes from Martha Stewart — it kills two Thanksgiving side dishes with one recipe. You've got the spinach to replace the green beans AND the sweet potatoes so you can skip that yam/marshmallow thing nobody really likes either.
- The Neelys' Green Beans With Lemon & Garlic. Thank you, Food Network, for this light, zesty way to lose the canned fried/creamed ingredients but keep the green beans as part of the Thanksgiving spread.
- Roasted Garlic Creamed Spinach. Most likely to satisfy that lone classic green bean casserole fan at the table, this easy idea from Rachael Ray has enough punch to keep everybody else interested, too.
- Cheesy Peas. Jamie Oliver should have called this one easy-peasy cheesy peas, because it's virtually effortless to prepare. And even kids who categorically refuse green foods can usually be plied with peas.
- Greens & Goat Cheese Gratin. Believe it or not, I actually do know a few kids who love goat cheese (and that's fortunate, because maybe they won't notice they're eating kale and Swiss chard when they scarf this recipe from Whole Foods).
