Thanksgiving meal preparation often includes the familiar challenge of refreshing traditional vegetable accompaniments. For those aiming to transform their sweet potato and Brussels sprout dishes into something extraordinary, culinary icon Ina Garten provides invaluable inspiration. This piece delves into her top selections for these holiday staples and complements them with additional highly-regarded recipes, ensuring a festive table filled with delectable options.
Ina Garten highlights that both sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts, while beloved, can be prepared in various innovative ways beyond their conventional forms. She emphasizes that the key to flavorful Brussels sprouts lies in roasting or sautéing them, moving away from less appealing boiled versions. Her preferred methods promise to bring out their best characteristics, making them a welcome addition to any holiday spread. Similarly, her sweet potato recipes introduce diverse flavor profiles, from sweet and savory to subtly spicy, catering to a range of palates.
For sweet potatoes, Garten's collection includes “Glazed Sweet Potatoes,” a deceptively simple dish requiring minimal ingredients. This recipe, featured in her cookbook Go-To Dinners, proves that elegance doesn't demand complexity. Complementing this, other highly-rated variations such as “Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Citrus-Maple Glaze” and “Oven-Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Tamarind Glaze” offer similar delightful flavors. For those who appreciate a kick, her “Chipotle Smashed Sweet Potatoes” introduce a sweet and spicy dynamic. Alternatively, a more classic approach is offered by “The Best Mashed Sweet Potatoes,” a recipe consistently praised for its traditional appeal. Finally, her “Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes,” filled with savory cheese and herbs, provide a rich, texturally interesting side that can also be adapted with russet potatoes if desired.
Turning to Brussels sprouts, Garten jokingly recalls her mother's boiled versions as "dreadful," advocating for roasting or sautéing to unlock their true potential. Her top choice among her own recipes is the “Sautéed Shredded Brussels Sprouts.” This dish is lauded for its quick preparation, especially when using a food processor for shredding, and can be enhanced with additions like bacon and onions for extra richness. Another quick option is “Brussels Sprouts Lardons,” which incorporates a delightful salty-sweet combination of bacon and golden raisins, taking less than 30 minutes to prepare. For a tangy twist, the “Balsamic-Roasted Brussels Sprouts” are highly recommended. This three-ingredient recipe can be further customized with sweeteners such as maple syrup or honey. For those who wish to combine these two versatile vegetables, a recipe for “Roasted Brussels Sprouts & Sweet Potatoes” offers a convenient and delicious solution with minimal active cooking time.
Ultimately, whether you lean towards the comforting sweetness of glazed sweet potatoes or the vibrant crunch of roasted Brussels sprouts, the goal is to enhance your festive meal with dishes that are both easy to prepare and deeply satisfying. These selections, inspired by Ina Garten and beloved by many, ensure that your holiday table features vegetable sides that are far from ordinary and guaranteed to be enjoyed by all.
