5 Easy Side Dishes for the Holidays or Anytime

Traditional side dishes are perfect for each holiday. Many people look forward to the green bean casserole, and sweet potatoes. And many families have a particular family recipe for side dishes that they make each year. However, if you are looking for something different, or perhaps something in addition to your regular traditional side dishes, look no further. These are five absolutely awesome side dishes for anytime of year, but are particularly good for holidays.

You can make these dishes with your traditional side dishes, or you can supplement tradition with something new. Enjoy the new side dish recipes.

Delicious Almond Green Beans Side Dish

You will need:
2 pounds of thin green beans, trimmed
1/4 cup of olive oil
1 cup of whole almonds with skin, coarsely chopped
1-1/2 tablespoons of finely grated fresh lemon zest
1 large garlic clove, minced
1-1/2 cups of coarsely chopped parsley leaves

What you do:
Begin by heating the olive oil in a large skillet over low to medium heat until it is hot but be sure it is not smoking. Add almonds and toast. Stir constantly until they are golden brown in color, approximately four minutes. Transfer the almond mixture to a small bowl and stir in freshly grated lemon zest and the minced garlic clove. Allow mixture to cool. Add parsley. If you want some extra seasoning, add some salt, pepper or other seasoning. Set aside. Next, Cook the green beans in a pot of boiling salted water until they are tender, approximately eight minutes. Drain the water from the green beans and place in serving dish. If you want to season the green beans, do so now with salt, pepper, or any other seasoning. Add some of the almond sauce to the green beans. You can serve the rest of the sauce on the side. Makes 8 servings.

Herb and Butter Vegetables Side Dish

You will need:
1-1/2 pounds of assorted baby vegetables, trimmed
2 tablespoons of fresh basil, chopped
2 tablespoons of fresh cilantro, chopped
1 tablespoon of butter
Freshly ground pepper
Salt

What you do:
Begin by steaming vegetables, until tender, approximately ten to fifteen minutes. Remove the vegetables from the steamer and place in serving bowl. Next, stir in chopped basil, chopped cilantro, butter, and seasoning, salt or pepper to taste. Toss the veggies so they are well coated. Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Ham & Cheese Mashed Potatoes Side Dish - This recipe can be made with homemade mashed potatoes or instant mashed potatoes. Either way, it tastes the same and is awesome!

You will need:
2 cups of mashed potatoes
3/4 teaspoon of garlic salt
1 cup of fully cooked ham, diced
1 cup of cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 cup of whipping cream, whipped

What you do:
Begin by combining the potatoes and garlic salt in a medium sized bowl. In a greased baking dish, spread the potatoes in the bottom. Add ham by sprinkling it all over. Fold the cheddar cheese into the whipped cream. Spoon it over the ham. Bake at 450°, uncovered for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Makes 4-6 servings.

Really Easy Stuffing Side Dish

You will need:
1 one pound loaf of white bread
1 small onion, chopped
1 teaspoon of seasoning
1 pinch of salt
1 pinch of ground black pepper
1/4 cup of water

What you do:
Begin by moistening the bread with as much water as needed to make it moist. Next, add the chopped onion, seasoning, and the salt and pepper. Using your hands, mix together. If you wish, you can place inside the turkey, however I prefer the tin foil method. Place the entire thing in a piece of tin foil and wrap it up. Cook for at least one hour. This is the easiest, most moist stuffing our family has ever had. Makes 5-7 servings

Garlic & Butter Mushrooms Side Dish

You will need:
2 dozen large mushrooms
1/2 cup of butter
2 cloves of garlic, minced
2 shallots, minced
1/2 cup of parsley, minced
lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/4 teaspoon of pepper

What you do:
Begin by removing the stems and cleaning the mushrooms. Then, combine the butter, minced shallots, minced garlic and minced parsley. Mix well. Squeeze the lemon juice into the bowl - you will only need about half of the lemon juice from one lemon. Also add the salt and pepper. Mix again. Put the mushrooms in a baking dish and fill each mushroom with about a half to full teaspoon of the garlic butter mixture. Bake at 400° for 10 to 12 minutes. Makes approximately 6 servings.